The federal government regulates the entry of pets into the United States; requirements set forth in this section are in addition to meeting federal requirements. If the department receives a federal importation notice, the department may request the local rabies control authority in the area where the animal will be located to monitor the notice for compliance. Contingent upon the department receiving notification of an importation-compliance failure, the department may report the failure to the appropriate authority. Each dog and cat 12 weeks of age or older to be transported into Texas for any purpose shall be admitted only when vaccinated against rabies and the time elapsed since the most recent vaccination has not exceeded the manufacturer recommendations for the vaccine. If an initial vaccination was administered less than 30 days prior to arrival in the United States, the custodian must confine the dog or cat for the balance of the 30 days. Additionally, documentation must be provided by a vaccination certificate or passport showing the date of vaccination, vaccine used, revaccination due date, identification information for the vaccinated animal, contact information of the animal's custodian, and signature, signature stamp, or computerized signature and contact information of the veterinarian responsible for administration of the vaccine. If the dog or cat is less than 12 weeks of age, the custodian shall confine the animal until 30 days subsequent to its initial vaccination.

Source Note: The provisions of this §169.32 adopted to be effective April 1, 1980, 5 TexReg 812; amended to be effective March 19, 2003, 28 TexReg 2341; amended to be effective December 20, 2007, 32 TexReg 9341; amended to be effective March 31, 2013, 38 TexReg 1994