Movement and Identification

Out of State Exhibitors

All Swine entering Kentucky for exhibition must call for a unique permit number to be entered on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection shall be written within 7 days of entry.

All Dairy Cattle, Beef Cattle, Sheep and Goats entering Kentucky from Michigan must call for a unique permit number and additional requirements.

All Dairy Cattle, Beef Cattle, Sheep and Goats entering Kentucky for exhibition must have USDA Official Identification and be accompanied by Certificate of Veterinary inspection issued by an accredited veterinarian within 30days prior to entry.

Kentucky Animals

All Kentucky Origin Swine shall be individually identified with USDA Official Identification on a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection written within 7 days of entry.

All Kentucky origin cattle, sheep, and goats for exhibition shall be individually identified with USDA Official Identification on a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection written within the current calendar year, January 1 through December 31, 2021.

To all Exhibitors

Livestock exhibiting signs of any infectious, contagious, or communicable disease such as, but not limited to, warts, ringworm, pinkeye, or foot rot ARE NOT ELIGIBLE for exhibition and will be refused entry.

Animal Disease Traceability

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is cooperating with USDA on improving the traceability of US livestock moving interstate when animal disease events take place.  Currently, all livestock 18 months or older sold at a Kentucky approved livestock market must be identified to the farm of origin.

Under the proposed rule, unless specifically exempted, livestock moved interstate would have to be officially identified and accompanied by an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection or other documentation, such as owner-shipper statements or brand certificates.  The proposed rule encourages the use of low-cost technology and specifies approved forms of official identification for each species, such as metal ear tags for cattle.  However, recognizing the importance and prevalence of other identifications in certain regions, shipping and receiving states or tribes are permitted to agree upon alternative forms of identification such as brands or tattoos.

FOR ALL EXHIBITORS IN KENTUCKY: Please note that 302 KAR 20:065, Section 2 (3) (c) states that 'Cattle or other bovine species infected with warts, ringworm, or any other communicable disease shall not be eligible for exhibition'.

Animal Import Requirements (coming into Kentucky)

302 KAR 20:040. Entry into Kentucky.

Please refer to the right side of this page for the 'I Want To Move Into KY' block.  Choose your species/purpose of entry for simplified requirements for entry into the state of Kentucky.  If you are traveling through Kentucky with no planned stops, we will accept your destination state's entry requirements.

Animal Export Requirements (leaving Kentucky)

Please visit the USDA website to acquire more information about each state's animal transport regulations as well as international animal transport regulations.  For interstate animal movement requirements to several states, please visit www.InterstateLivestock.com.

Small Animal Certificate of Veterinary Inspection- No longer Available - August 1, 2020

The Office of the State Veterinarian will no longer issue small animal certificates of veterinary inspection. The USDA APHIS Form 7001, is available as a fillable PDF form at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/library/forms/pdf/APHIS7001.pdf. Important Note: Many states are no longer accepting the USDA APHIS form 7001 for interstate travel of small animals as it easily downloadable off the internet and does not contain a unique, traceable identifying number. Because of some fraudulent use, the form has come under scrutiny and is being denied by a growing number of states. Accredited veterinarians are encouraged to check with the destination state to determine what forms are accepted. As an alternative to the APHIS form 7001, accredited practitioners can use an electronic Certificate of Veterinary Inspection available through a number of providers. As of June 2020, the following eCVI providers are available for Kentucky veterinarians:

• https://www.agview.com/login
• https://www.globalvetlink.com
• https://www.vet-sentry.com

How to obtain an Import Permit?

Accredited veterinarians can use either option 1 or 2 for livestock Import Permits.

1.   Veterinarians can use the Online Permitting System to obtain an Import Permit.

2.   Import Permits can also be obtained by calling the Kentucky State Veterinarian's Office at (502) 782-5901.  Be advised that cervid permits may require additional processing time and information.

3.   Some exotic animals may also require to have a Kentucky Fish & Wildlife transportation permit.  Please contact the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources at (800) 858-1549.  Click here for a list of PROHIBITED SPECIES, or be directed to the KDFW website.

Accepted Forms of Official Identification

The following types of Official ID are accepted in Kentucky.

•   Animal Identification Number (AIN) tag: 840 prefix or other country code 15-digit tag (this includes EID/RFID button tags, visual non-RFID panel tags, RFID panel tags, matched pair visual/RFID tag set, Industry "Logo" tags [must be 840], Ultra High Frequency (UHF) tags)

•   National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES) metal tag: State code prefix, two/three alpha, four digit serial tags (commonly referred to as "Silver" or "Brite" tags) used for program disease testing, interstate movement, change of ownership

•   Brucellosis Vaccination metal tag: similar to the NUES tag, but orange to indicate that the animal has been Calfhood vaccinated for Brucellosis

•   Scrapie Flock tag: white plastic panel tag with flock ID, or metal serial tag with flock ID, or metal serial tag distributed by our office

•   Swine Premises Identification Number (PIN) tag: plastic tag used for slaughter swine

•   Other form of identification not mentioned, as long as it is printed with an Official US Shield

•   Registration Tattoo, with official breed registry papers (this is an acceptable ID within Kentucky, but the show/exhibition you're attending may not accept this)

•   NO LONGER ACCEPTED: 900 & USA prefix series manufacturer tag, unless it was placed on an animal before March 11, 2015

For a detailed list of criteria and options for Official ID that follow the national framework of Animal Disease Traceability, click here.

Intrastate Exhibition Requirements (movement for show within Kentucky)

302 KAR 20:065. Sale and exhibition of Kentucky origin animals in Kentucky.

For animals that are traveling within the state of Kentucky for exhibition, they should have an Official ID listed on a current calendar year Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI).  If you plan to attend multiple shows throughout the year, a generic destination of 'Kentucky Shows & Fairs' is acceptable for Kentucky origin animals and those CVIs will remain valid until December 31st of the current year, with the exception of Equine (see below).  However, CVIs written with a specific destination listed or for a change of ownership are only valid for 30 days and will be void upon arrival at that destination.  A CVI written for exhibition purposes shall be void upon change of ownership of the listed animal(s).

Equine CVIs are valid until the Coggins test has expired, or one year from the last test date (i.e. your Coggins test was on March 1st this year and your CVI was written on April 10th this year, your Coggins and CVI will both expire on March 1st next year).  However, if your Coggins test was completed after your CVI was written, your CVI will expire one year from the date it was signed by an accredited veterinarian.

Please contact your exhibitor directly for additional requirements.  Many shows require testing for your animals, or require a specific form of identification.

If you have questions about movement for other purposes within the Commonwealth, please call our office at (502) 782-5901.

Kentucky Registered Brand Program

While the state of Kentucky does not recognize a brand as an official ID, the Department of Agriculture provides a statewide registry of brands that is published in accordance with state law, KRS Chapter 253.  All registered brands with the Department will take precedence over similar, but unregistered brands where questions of ownership occur.  An owner whose brand does not appear in the state registry shall produce evidence to establish his title to the property in the event of disagreement.  Brands, under Kentucky law, may now assume personal property status.  Agriculture is Kentucky's number one industry.  Because livestock is a vital component of Kentucky's agriculture, it is imperative that measures such as branding and animal identification be taken to safeguard against livestock theft, loss or dispute.

To register your brand, please submit a notarized Brand Application along with a ten dollar ($10.00) check or money order payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer.  At the time of submittal, your brand is registered with our office for five (5) years.  Prior to the brand's expiry, the Department will notify you with the proper renewal forms.  To continue your registration for the ensuing five (5) year period, complete and return the renewal paperwork and submit a reregistration fee of five dollars ($5.00).

•   Instructions & Information for Registering a Livestock Brand 

•   Application for Registration - Brands and Marks of Livestock

•   Information Pertaining to the Application for Registering Livestock Brands and Marks

•   Instructions and Information for Transferring Registered Registered Branded Livestock

•   About the Brand Book

•   Current Brand Registry Book (updated 01/31/2018)

Electronic Certificates of Veterinary Inspection

Our office is motivated to offer four electronic certificate of veterinarian inspection (CVI) services to Kentucky Accredited Veterinarians.  All electronic CVI options can be signed and submitted electronically, eliminating the need to mail a paper copy of completed electronic CVIs.  The needs of your clients and capabilities of your clinic will help you decide which electronic CVI is the best fit for you.

Veterinary Services Process Streamlining (VSPS)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers a web-based system that is free.  It requires internet connectivity to fill out and submit certificates and it requires a log-in.  This system can only be used for the following large animal species: alpaca, bison, bovine, caprine, cervidae, equine, llama, ovine, and porcine.  Veterinarians must have a level 2 USDA eAuthentication to use this service.

Request Level 2 USDA eAuthentication

Features

•   Import large volumes of animal IDs and animal info electronically via a spreadsheet file

•   FREE online Coggins submission for EIA

•   Accredited veterinarians and laboratories can add test results

•   Create and save certificate templates for future use

•   Issued certificates can be saved, then edited for future use

•   Add vaccination info rapidly

•   The quick-copy auto-fill feature allows multiple animals to be added rapidly

Information

VSPS website: https://vsapps.aphis.usda.gov/vsps/

VSPS Getting Started Guide

VSPS Interstate Library

GlobalVetLINK (GVL)

GVL's electronic CVI is an online, fee-based service that requires access to the internet to create, manage, and submit CVIs.

Features

•   Coggins (EIA) certificates (EquusLINK)

•   Storage and retrieval of lab results (LabLINK)

•   Veterinary Feed Directives (eVFDs)

•   Certificate retrieval for clients through MyVetLINK.com

Information

For a complete listing and samples of GlobalVetLINK Products, visit: http://globalvetlink.com/

For more information on GlobalVetLINK's sister-site, MyVetLINK, visit: http://www.myvetlink.com/

For YouTube videos on GlobalVetLINK products, visit: http://www.youtube.com/user/GlobalVetLINK/

VetSentry

VetSentry's electronic CVI is an online, fee-based service that requires access to the internet to create, manage, and submit CVIs.

Features

•  Coggins forms

•  Clerk Feature: Have an office staff fill out and complete your eCVIs and place them in your private "HOLD" queue. You can than log in and submit your previously filled out eCVIs.

•  eCVI Revisions: Need to revise a previously completed eCVI, no problem. You can now revise an eCVI and all versions of the eCVI are kept on file.

•  On Hold queue: Starting and finishing an eCVI is easy. Get interrupted, no problem. You can now place your eCVI "On Hold" and finish it at a later time.