For those who travel with pets, a question.

[Disneefun]

While at the vet today, I got schooled on the difference between "health certificates" and simple shot records. Well, it was news to me that many states require these official certs. issued from the health department (that are only good for like 10 days) just to bring your pet into the state. Florida is one that requires this. We aren't full timers -- just vacationers and are wondering if people really get these "official" certs. or just carry the shot records and other paperwork such as recent exam results, licenses, etc. We've always done that and never had a problem, but now I wonder if we're pressing our luck not travelling with the official certificates.

These certs. cost $25 here and require a full vet exam. And if the trip is longer than 10 days, we are supposed to arrange to get another one while on the road. We're in and out all the time and sometimes travel to neighboring states at the last minute for just a couple of days. How are we supposed to arrange for getting one of these things every other week or so on short notice, plus while we're on the road? Makes me wonder if we made a mistake getting the MH, since the primary purpose was to travel with the dog. Maybe we'd have been better off just continuing to board her. Because if we have to keep getting these certificates, we're going to go broke between their costs and the costs of a vet exam every time. Not to mention the time consumed going back and forth to the vet's.

Please share your experiences! Also does Ft. Wilderness require these certificates? What do they want to see when you bring your pet? We're going for the 1st time the end of this month and are now so confused. Thanks for any help.

 

[We4mickey]

We don't have a dog, but my sister does and I don't recall FW asking for anything when she has them along. Maybe if you kennel them, but she never has. We have never had a problem in the many times we have gone.

 

[campingcorgi]

We were just at FW this past weekend with a dog so I'm quoting this directly from the paper we signed upon check-in:

"Papers are required to board pets, verifying rabies, DHLP, and Parvo and Corona vaccinations for dogs, and FPRC and rabies for cats. Bordatella papers will also be required."

This says 'to board'--but at the bottom it says that all pets accepted in the pet loop must have proof of the same vaccinations.

Papers (proof)--not health certificate. Sorry to disappoint your vet......

Seriously, whenever my dog goes to the vet I get an updated list of shots and I just put that in the motorhome and it's good for a year. Now if you were flying that would be different--but those motorhomes don't fly so well, do they?

We've never been asked for any papers. I don't do corona or bordatella, either. Oh, my, I guess I'm a rule-breaker

Have fun, enjoy your pet and your motorhome!

 

[rapriebe]

We've been to FW lots of times and always with our two four-legged kids. I have never been asked for proof of shots but I always have it with me just in case. I boarded my dogs only one time at WDW and Universal but was never asked for proof there either. We do alot of RV travelling in the East and I have never been asked for shot records at any campground.

If you are camping at FW, can't you just keep your pet with you in your RV. The only reason we camp is because of our pets - can't leave home without them. I've heard excellent reports of the kennels at FW but I have never used them.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Well, I've boarded my dog at the FW kennels for the last 7 years and they have required a shot record every time. This information is entered in the computer base. I have also seen people turned away because they could not produce this information or shots were not up to date. A health record is NOT required, but I do find it hard to believe that anyone has boarded a dog at the FW kennels without producing proof of vaccination, since this is part of the registration process. Bordatella vaccination ("kennel cough") is really only required if you are boarding your dog, and I believe corona is not required in adult animals, so Disney doesn't enforce this policy. My dog has not had corona vaccination since '02 and my vet won't give it to him.

 

[tim5055]

In answer to the original question, is a health certificate required...

I checked the Florida Department of Agriculture website and it appeared to me that yes, a helath certificate (actually an Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection(OCVI)) is required. As I was unsure I sent an e-mail to the State of Florida ansd this is their response:

If you already live in Florida and are traveling within the state a certificate of rabies vaccination from a licensed veterinarian is all that is required. If you are entering Florida from another state to vacation, you will need to have an OCVI and proof of current rabies vaccination. I hope this answers your question.


DianaFuchs
Division of Animal Industry
Companion Animal Compliance Program

So, dont kill the messenger, I am just advising what the State of Florida says you need to have.

 

[rapriebe]

Disneefun,
All you need to do is take your dog's shot records and go have fun. Irregardless of what someone might say about a OCVI being required "by law", just listen to what all of those that have taken their pets to FW have already told you. No one has ever reported that they were required to have a OCVI inorder to have their dog at FW. Especially if your pet is going to stay in your MH, you probably will not even be asked for shot information.

They might start being more diligent in checking for shot information due to the Hurricane and the problems with pets from those locations. Like I say, always take it with ya.

Go have FUN!!!

 

[callahanjulie10]

I live in Florida so I am not sure about the certificate but I do know that I was told when I made ressies at FW in the pet loop that I needed to bring proof of shots for my pup.

 

[FWCamper]

My cats and dogs have been to the Fort at least 50 times. I bring their shot records and the current rabies cert. Actually i just leave the info in the rv at all times. The first time i didn't have the paperwork, they called my vet and he faxed the info, but that was many, many years ago. I have never had a problem camping anywhere. The Fort kennels are the only time i ever had to produce the paperwork.

 

[Rhonda]

Our last trip, we left Barclay in the Kennels at Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom. We were required to show proof of current shots.

I asked what they would do if I didn't have the proof with me, and he told me they have a separate room where they keep the dogs without proof of shots, so they're separate from the rest of the dogs.