Importing Exotic Species from Outside Wisconsin
This section includes exotic pets. These species require the following:
You must provide a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) when importing an exotic species. A CVI is required for animals entering Wisconsin by any mode of transportation, such as automobile, airplane or rail.
DATCP no longer accepts the computer-generated APHIS 7001 form which has no preprinted CVI number—older, multicopy forms with printed numbers are still accepted.
Alternative CVI forms are listed below; payment may be required. Some options may not be available in your state. Call your State Veterinarian's office to verify. If your State Veterinarian's office has another option not listed here, or if you are unsure if the CVI is accepted, contact the Import Coordinator.
- Electronic forms from any of the following: Global Vet Link, AgMove CVI, or your State Veterinarian's office.
- Paper copies available from your State Veterinarian's office. DATCP accepts large animal forms for pets, exotic species, and wild animals if allowed by the state of origin (where the animal is coming from).
- In addition to the above, for imports from Texas, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) CVI.
CVIs must include the following:
- Complete physical origin and destination addresses.
- Age of animal, species, breed if applicable, and sex.
- Number of animals.
- Purpose of movement.
- Results of species specific testing (See links to species on the right. If your species is not listed, testing is not required. For example testing is not required for non-human primates or sugar gliders).
- Import permit
- If the animals are part of a rodeo, circus, or menagerie and will be in Wisconsin for a limited time, use the Circus, Rodeo & Menagerie Import Permit application.
- If the animals are privately owned, including owned by zoos, and relocating to Wisconsin, use the General Import Permit application.
- If you are not sure which form to use, or you have other questions, call (608) 224-4874 weekdays between 7:45 a.m. and 4 p.m. central time.
Not required for exotic pets:
- Vaccinations
- Official individual ID (although this can be added to the CVI if the animal is identified).
How to submit a CVI:
CVIs written for animal imports into Wisconsin must be sent to DATCP's Division of Animal Health. This can be done in the following ways:
- Electronic CVIs like Global Vet Link, AgMove CVI, or an eCVI provided by the state of origin are automatically and electronically submitted and no additional action is required after CVI submission.
- If paper CVIs are submitted to a State Veterinarian's office in the state of origin and that office is forwarding them to Wisconsin, no further action is required.
- If submitting paper CVIs directly to Wisconsin, email to datcpwicvi@wisconsin.gov or mail to DATCP-DAH, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911.
Additional Import Requirements for Exotic Animals from Another Country
For exotic animals being brought into Wisconsin from outside the U.S., contact the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) at (404) 639-3311 or visit the CDC website. You should also visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) website to find any information not covered on the CDC website.
In addition to any requirements from CDC and USDA, exotic pets being brought into Wisconsin from outside the U.S. need to meet the regular import requirements for Wisconsin. Any health documentation used by the country of origin will be accepted for international movement.
Note: Aside from the prohibited species (refer to the wild animal movement webpage), DATCP does not determine if it is legal to own a particular exotic animal species. We strongly encourage you to contact officials at all levels of the local government in the destination jurisdiction (county, township and municipality) to determine their regulations on animal ownership. We also encourage you to contact the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources captive wildlife for more information.
Moving exotic animals within Wisconsin
Wisconsin does not have specific requirements for moving exotic animals within Wisconsin.
Exporting exotic animals out of Wisconsin
Wisconsin does not have specific export requirements for exotic animals. Please contact the state or nation of destination to learn the import requirements.