This article is from the Cats and the Outside World FAQ, posted to rec.pets.cats newsgroup. Maintained by Cindy Tittle Moore with numerous contributions by others.
A partial list: most states require a health certificate and proof of rabies vaccination for pets crossing state lines. Most airlines will require this regardless.
Quarantines are usually required by Island countries (eg Britain, Japan) or states (eg Hawaii) or subcontinents (eg Australia). Always check with the country in question if you are contemplating importing an animal. Exact lengths of quarantines have been changing rapidly over the last few years, so checking is doubly necessary. Hawaii now has a 30 day quarantine. Britain has a six month quarantine (except on dogs from other rabies free countries such as Australia). Australia has a four month quarantine with similar exceptions from other rabies free countries. Even if the destination country does not have a quarantine (eg United States, much of Europe, Canada), health certificates may be required by either or both the country and the airline you use to ship the animal. Plan ahead several months so you have all the information you need to proceed without a hitch. And don't try to get around the quarantines. That could mean the life of your pet.
 
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