Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

serving the state of wisconsin since 1839

DATCP works to assure safe food, healthy people, animals, plants and environment, vibrant agriculture and fair business practices.

  You are here:   

Animal Movement

Fairs, Shows and Other Special Events

This information is current as of April 3, 2013

Animal Health Regulations for 2013 Fair and Show Season in Wisconsin

Printable version (5 page PDF) 

This is a summary of animal health requirements for fairs, shows and exhibitions only. They are not necessarily the same   as requirements for importing animals into Wisconsin or moving them within the state for other purposes. They may change if animal diseases occur in Wisconsin or elsewhere, so you should always check here or contact us for current information. 

General requirements for show organizers
Diseases
Cattle and bison
Swine
Sheep and goats
Equines
Llamas, alpacas and guanacos
Exotic ruminants
Poultry and waterfowl
Small animals (dogs, domestic cats, ferrets, pet birds, rabbits, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, domestic mice, rats)
Exotic small animals (not covered above)
Circus, rodeo racing and menagerie animals
Guidelines for housing and animal management

General requirements for show organizers

Fairs or exhibitions lasting more than 24 hours must appoint a licensed veterinarian to inspect all livestock daily

Fairs or exhibitions lasting less than 24 hours must have a licensed veterinarian or show chairperson review all required records and test results to check for: 

  • Exhibitor’s name and address
  • Animal identification (number, type, description)
  • Compliance with disease testing and other health requirements
  • Livestock premises number, if any, where animals originated

Fair management must maintain records for 5 years of:

  • Exhibitors
  • Livestock premises numbers, if any
  • Animal identification
Back to top

Diseases

Animals that show evidence of having contagious or infectious diseases may be removed immediately, and may be quarantined or slaughtered.

Bovine animals with ringworm, mange or scab will be removed from the fair or exhibition premises, unless the veterinarian in charge finds they are incapable of transmitting disease. 

Back to top

Cattle from within Wisconsin have no requirements for tests or health documents.

Cattle from outside Wisconsin must:

  • Be accompanied by certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) documenting official animal ID and all required tests and certifications
  • Meet all of Wisconsin’s normal requirements for import 

Acceptable animal IDs for breeding animals from outside Wisconsin

  • Official metal ear tags
  • Breed registration numbers
  • Breed registration tattoos only if accompanied by registration number on CVI
  • Other ID approved by DATCP
  • Steers may be identified with the ear tag applied at weigh-in

Brucellosis requirements for cattle from outside Wisconsin

  • Steers are exempt from any brucellosis test requirement.
  • Cattle from brucellosis-free states are exempt from brucellosis testing requirement.
  • Cattle from certified brucellosis-free herds in Class A states do not need brucellosis tests if the CVI has the certified herd number and the last test date.
  • All other cattle need negative brucellosis test within 30 days before entering Wisconsin.

Tuberculosis requirements for cattle from outside Wisconsin

  • Negative individual TB tests within 60 days before entering Wisconsin are required for cattle if they originate from:
  • States or zones that are Modified Accredited Advanced states or that Wisconsin treats as MAA because they have had bovine TB cases
  • Modified Accredited states (see section below for Michigan's Modified Accredited and Modified Accredited Advanced zones)
  • States that do not recognize Wisconsin’s TB-free status
  • For requirements by state

Cattle from Michigan's TB Free Zone:

  • Need negative individual TB test within 60 days before arrival in Wisconsin for all animals
  • Whole herd TB test and import permit not required
 Cattle from Michigan's MA and MAA zones and other states with MA zones:
  • Need import permits
  • Need negative whole-herd TB tests within 12 months before arrival in Wisconsin for all animals 1 year and older
  • Need negative individual TB tests within 60 days before entering Wisconsin
  • Must return directly to the state of origin after the show, and there must be a statement on the CVI that they will be doing so

Cattle from Canada must meet current federal requirements to enter the United States.

For information on obtaining an import permit:

Requirements are subject to change as conditions warrant. For current information, check here.

Back to top

Swine

Swine from within Wisconsin need a Wisconsin intrastate movement certificate:

  • Stating that the herd of origin was inspected on the farm within 30 days before the show and showed no signs of disease
  • Including documentation of all required tests

Swine from outside Wisconsin need a certificate of veterinary inspection that includes a statement that they have NOT received pseudorabies vaccinations, and official identification number. They also need an import permit (effective March 1, 2013). Acceptable methods of ID for swine are:

  • USDA silver ear tag
  • USDA 840 button ear tag
  • Breed association tattoo
  • Ear notch (if the pig is a purebred and the notch is registered)

Requirements are subject to change as conditions warrant. For current information, check here.

Back to top

Sheep and goats

Sheep and goats from within Wisconsin

  • If sexually intact, need official individual ID at any age
  • If not sexually intact, need official individual ID if they are 12 months or older
  • Official ID may be scrapie ear tags, USDA silver ear tag, USDA 840 button ear tag, or breed association tattoo (as long as it is unique to that animal)
  • Cannot have been exposed to scrapie if they are sexually intact

Sheep and goats from outside Wisconsin:

  • Need certificate of veterinary inspection and official individual ID: USDA silver ear tag, USDA 840 button ear tag, or breed association tattoo (as long as it is unique to that animal)
  • Cannot have been exposed to scrapie

Goats from Michigan's TB Modified Accredited and Modified Accredited Advanced zones:

  • Need import permits
  • Need negative whole-herd TB tests within 12 months before arrival in Wisconsin
  • Need negative individual TB tests within 60 days before entering Wisconsin
  • Must return directly to the state of origin after the show, and there must be a statement on the CVI that they will be doing so

For information on obtaining an import permit:

Requirements are subject to change as conditions warrant. For current information, check here.
Back to top

Equines

Equine animals from within Wisconsin need documentation of a negative EIA test done in 2013, which clearly identifies the animal by registration number, lip tattoo, freeze brand, or complete description. Documentation may be:

  • Official test report VS 10-11, or
  • USDA-approved electronic test form, or
  • Global Vet Link EIA electronic form, or
  • Certificate of veterinary inspection with the test results listed

Equine animals from outside Wisconsin need:

  • Certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI)
  • Negative EIA test done in 2013, which clearly identifies the animal by registration number, lip tattoo, freeze brand, or complete description, and reported on the CVI

Equines from Minnesota are exempt from the CVI requirement if:

  • Ownership does not change while the animal is in Wisconsin
  • The animal remains in Wisconsin no longer than 7 days
  • Proof of an EIA test in the current calendar year accompanies the animal

Requirements are subject to change as conditions warrant. For current information, check here.

Back to top

Llamas, Alpacas, Guanacos

Llamas, alpacas and guanacos from within Wisconsin have no requirements.

Llamas, alpacas and guanacos from outside Wisconsin must have a certificate of veterinary inspection and official animal ID. Official ID may be:

  • Approved USDA ear tag number
  • Microchip number
  • Breed association registration number
  • Breed association tattoo

Requirements are subject to change as conditions warrant. For current information, check here.

Back to top

Exotic Ruminants

Note: Exotic ruminants are ruminants that are not native to Wisconsin, and are not cervids – for example, vicuñas, camels, yaks, water buffalo, pronghorn antelope and giraffes.

Exotic ruminants from within Wisconsin have no requirements.

Exotic ruminants from outside Wisconsin need an import permit and a certificate of veterinary inspection with proof that they meet requirements for:

  • Bovine TB – negative test required within 60 days before entry
  • Brucellosis – negative test required within 30 days before entry

For information on obtaining an import permit:

Requirements are subject to change as conditions warrant. For current information, check here.

Back to top

Poultry and Waterfowl (including ostriches, emus, rheas and cassowaries)

Poultry and waterfowl from within Wisconsin need:

  • An NPIP certificate stating that they originate from a US. pullorum-typhoid clean or NPIP affiliate flock, or
  • A DATCP-issued certificate stating they are from a Wisconsin tested or associate flock, or
  • If they are sexually mature, individual wing or leg band ID and a negative test for pullorum-typhoid (and Mycoplasma gallisepticum for turkeys) within 90 days before arrival at the show

Poultry and waterfowl from outside Wisconsin need a certificate of veterinary inspection or equivalent that states:

  • They originate from a flock classified pullorum-typhoid clean under NPIP or an equivalent state program, or
  • If they are sexually mature, that they have tested negative for pullorum-typhoid (and Mycoplasma gallisepticum for turkeys) within 90 days before arrival at the show. These birds also need wing or leg band ID.

Turkeys, regardless of origin, must be separated from other poultry, unless they are going directly to slaughter after the show. The show veterinarian should decide whether the separation is by different housing, or by controlling air flow and spacing.

Requirements are subject to change as conditions warrant. For current information about poultry and waterfowl, check here. For current information about ostriches, emus, rheas and cassowaries, check here.

Back to top

Small Animals: Dogs, Domestic Cats, Other Household Pets (ferrets, pet birds, rabbits, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, domestic mice and rats)

Note: These rules do not apply to animals that are part of menageries. For those rules, see below. Pot-bellied and miniature pigs fall under rules for swine.

Dogs from within Wisconsin that are 5 months or older need proof of current rabies vaccination.

Cats and other household pets from within Wisconsin have no requirements.

Dogs and cats from outside Wisconsin that are 5 months or older need to be vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian, and regardless of age, need certificates of veterinary inspection stating:

  • Age of the animal
  • Date of last rabies vaccination and revaccination due date for animals 5 months or older

Other household pets from outside Wisconsin need certificates of veterinary inspection, but have no testing or vaccination requirements.

Small animals from other nations need to meet requirements of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (608-662-0600) and Centers for Disease Control (1-800-232-4636).

Requirements are subject to change as conditions warrant. For current information, check here.

Back to top

Exotic Small Animals (any species not covered by "small animals" above)

Note: Local jurisdictions may have requirements beyond the state requirements listed here.

Animals from within Wisconsin do not have any requirements as long as they are legal to possess in Wisconsin.

Animals from outside Wisconsin generally have no testing or vaccination requirements, but do need:

  • Certificate of veterinary inspection
  • Official ID
  • Import permit number

Note: Some animals may not be brought to Wisconsin. These are North American prairie dogs and the following African species: tree squirrels, rope squirrels, dormice, Gambian giant pouched rats, brush-tailed porcupines and striped mice.

Others may require permits from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. More information.

For information on obtaining an import permit:

Requirements are subject to change as conditions warrant. For current information, check here.

Back to top

Circus, Rodeo, Racing and Menagerie Animals

Note: Local jurisdictions may have requirements beyond the state requirements listed here.

Animals from within Wisconsin must meet vaccination and testing requirements for their species. See these requirements earlier in this document.

Animals from outside Wisconsin need certificates of veterinary inspection and vaccinations and tests required for their species. See these requirements earlier in this document.

They also need import permit numbers if they are:

  • Circuses and individual circus acts
  • Rodeo stock other than individual participants’ horses
  • Multi-species menageries (defined as any animals kept individually or in a collection primarily for purposes of exhibition or competition)
  • Petting zoos

They do not need import permit numbers if they are:

  • Rodeo horses owned by individual participants
  • Single-species groups

Note: Some animals may not be brought to Wisconsin. These are North American prairie dogs and the following African species: tree squirrels, rope squirrels, dormice, Gambian giant pouched rats, brush-tailed porcupines and striped mice. Others may require permits from the Department of Natural Resources. For more information. 

For information on obtaining an import permit:

Requirements are subject to change as conditions warrant. For current information, check here>
Back to top

Guidelines for Housing and Managing Animals

The State Veterinarian recommends that exhibitors:

  • Vaccinate breeding cattle against bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) at least 30 days before the event
  • Test cattle for BVD-PI by immunoperoxidase test, and bring them to shows only if they test negative
  • Test cattle for Johne’s disease test results by ELISA test, and bring them to shows only if they test negative
  • Clean and disinfect vehicles used to transport animals to and from the show, and vehicles used at the show, before and after the show
  • Isolate exhibited animals returning to their farms or animals purchased at the show for 21 days before mingling them with other stock

The State Veterinarian recommends that show organizers:

  • House cattle separately from llamas, vicuñas, alpacas, guanacos, and other exotic ruminants
  • House cattle separately from small ruminants, especially sheep
  • House ostriches, emus, rheas and cassowaries separately from domestic poultry
  • House swine separately from any other mammals
  • Include a space for the premises registration code on livestock entry forms
  • Provide hand-washing stations near all livestock facilities
  • Provide individual watering and feeding troughs rather than common ones 
Back to top


Follow us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  Follow us on YouTube  Follow us on Flickr

Sign up for email updates!
Sign up for email updates:
More info