STATE

YEAR

PROVISIONS

MASSACHUSETTS (Administration Of The Government –Public Safety And Good Order –Licenses – Dogs) Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, §138A Health Certificates For Importation or Sale of Dogs and Cats

1980

All dogs or cats brought into the state for sale must be inoculated against distemper 7-30 days before entry and must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by a vet and a copy sent to the commissioner of agriculture. If certificate is unavailable in the state of origin then a similar exam and certification must be made within 14 days of arrival in the state.

The certificate must:

·         be legible;

·         issued by an accredited vet;

·         approved by the state or county livestock commissioner;

·         contain the names and addresses of the seller;

·         show age, sex, breed and description of each dog or cat; and

·         state that the dogs are free from visual evidence of communicable disease and parasites and that cats are free from disease and parasites.

Dogs or cats purchased for resale must be accompanied by a certificate issued by a vet. The certificate must:

·         show the age, sex, breed, and description of each dog or cat; and

·         state that the dogs are free from visual evidence of communicable diseases and parasites and that cats are free from parasites, respiratory infection and distemper.

Prohibits importing for sale a dog or cat that is less than 8 weeks old.

All dogs or cats imported for resale must be held in isolation for 2 days prior to offering for sale.

    
All dogs or cats sold in the state by a commercial establishment must be accompanied by a health record indicating dates and types of vaccine administered.

Exceptions:  Temporary import of racing dogs and dogs for shows / field trials.