Wild Animal Movement

​​​Importing Wild Animals From Outside Wisconsin

Animals classified as "wild" include all members of non-domesticated species, including animals born and raised in captivity. See below for a list of animals prohibited from entry into Wisconsin and considerations for legal ownership.

You must provide a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) when importing a wild 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.
  • Some exotic species require testing
  • 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.
  • If you have a menagerie that includes native wild animals, non-native waterfowl, or harmful wild animals as defined by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, you must obtain a temporary nonresident exhibit permit before you can apply for an import permit. Call 1-888-WDNRINFO (936-7463) or visit the DNR website for more information.

Not required for wild animals:

  • 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 Wild Animals from Another Country

For wild 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, wild 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 noted below, DATCP does not determine if it is legal to own a particular wild 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.

Harmful Wild Animals

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources may have additional permitting requirements. If an animal import requires DNR authorization under s. 169.11 (1) (c), Stats., DATCP will not issue an import permit until the DNR has given that authorization.

Prohibited Animals

These animals may not be brought into Wisconsin:

  • Prairie dogs
  • Any of the following African-origin rodent species:
    • Tree squirrels
    • Rope squirrels
    • Dormice
    • Gambian giant pouched rats
    • Brush-tailed porcupine
    • Striped mice

Moving Wild Animals within Wisconsin

Wisconsin does not have specific requirements for moving wild animals within the state of Wisconsin.

Exporting Wild Animals Out of Wisconsin

​​Wisconsin does not have specific export requirements for wild animals. Please contact the state or nation of destination to learn the import requirements.

​Contact

Import Coordinator
(608) 224-4874​
Fax: (608) 224-4871
DATCPAnimalImports@wi.gov