Moving to a new state is not always straightforward when you have a pet.
Most states require dogs and cats to have a valid health certificate and a current rabies vaccination, at minimum, according to a new report from Hire a Helper.
The company has published a list of which states are the strictest in terms of moving with a pet — and which are the most lenient. For the ranking, rules for the importation of cats and dogs from other U.S. states or territories were gathered from the official government websites of each state. The rules mostly centered on certificate of veterinary inspection and rabies vaccination requirements.
As it turns out, Hawaii is the strictest state for moving with animals, requiring both dogs and cats two rabies vaccinations and an antibody test, or to be placed in quarantine. New York and Nebraska are the next hardest states to move with dogs and cats, according to the report.
North Carolina, meanwhile, is the most lenient state for inbound cats and dogs. It’s followed by New Jersey and Maine.