USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) considers animals commonly kept as pets, such as dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, and reptiles, to be companion animals, also referred to as Category I animals. Horses, food and fiber animal species, farm-raised aquatic animals, poultry, and all other livestock, birds, and zoo animals that could transmit exotic animal diseases to livestock are not considered companion animals and fall under different regulatory requirements for movement (Category II animals). Pot-bellied pigs and pet birds may be kept as pets but they are considered Category II animals for movement purposes because they can carry diseases that fall under APHIS animal disease regulations.

For more information about Category I and II animals, please visit: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/
vet_accreditation/important_info.shtml

While there are many types of companion animals, this module will focus primarily on dogs and cats, but give examples of other species where applicable. Accredited veterinarians should recognize that other companion animals may have regulations related to their movement. Contact your local Veterinary Services (VS) Area Office for details if the movement is to a different country or the desination State Animal Health Official's (SAHO) office if the movement is to another state.

List of VS Area Offices: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/area_offices/

List of SAHOs: http://www.usaha.org/stateanimalhealthofficials.aspx

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