Section 25.47 Animals Imported Into Illinois

Licensees shall not cause animals to be imported into Illinois from another state or country, unless the animals are accompanied by a health certificate and an entry permit number that satisfy the following requirements:

a)         Health Certificate Requirements

1)         The health certificate shall state the age, sex, breed, number and description of each animal.

2)         The health certificate shall state that the animal is free from visible evidence of contagious, infectious or communicable diseases, that it originated in an area not under quarantine because of rabies, and that all animals required to be vaccinated against rabies have been vaccinated as set forth in 8 Ill. Adm. Code 30.90 (Illinois Animal Control Act). One health certificate may encompass all, or any part of, a single animal shipment, as long as the certificate meets the requirements of this Section with regard to animals.

3)         A copy of the health certificate shall be filed with the Department upon entry of the animal into Illinois. 

4)         A health certificate shall not be required for:

A)        fish;

B)        dogs consigned to hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, or licensed research institutions for research or teaching;

C)        performing dogs or dogs brought in for a limited period of time for exhibition or breeding purposes and kept under direct control while in Illinois; and

D)        animals entering Illinois from states in which a declaration of disaster has been made, provided the animal is examined by a licensed veterinarian within 24 hours after arrival.

5)         All health certificates shall be issued by an accredited veterinarian of the state of origin or by a veterinarian in the employ of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or by a licensed veterinarian of the country of origin.

6)         The form of the health certificate shall be approved by the animal health official of the state or country of origin and shall reflect the state or country of origin.

7)         The health certificate must have an issuance date within 30 days prior to entry of the animal into Illinois.

b)         Entry Permit Number Requirements

1)         A person may request an entry permit number by contacting the Department by telephone, in writing, or on line at the Department's web site. A permit number will be issued immediately upon submission of a request.

2)         Before the Department shall issue an entry permit number, the person requesting the permit number shall provide to the Department the following information:

A)        Name, address and telephone number of the owner of the animal;

B)        Name, address and telephone number of the person transporting the animal into Illinois;

C)        Name, address and telephone number of the person making request for the entry permit number;

D)        Name, address and telephone number of the place of origin and destination;

E)        Number and species of animals entering Illinois;

F)         Date of entry into Illinois; and

G)        USDA license numbers, if applicable.

3)         The entry permit number must have an issuance date within 30 days prior to entry of the animal into Illinois.

4)         Grounds for refusal to issue an entry permit number are:

A)        Violation of the Act or rules; and

B)        Presence of a disease that might endanger the Illinois livestock or   companion animal industry or pose a threat to public health.

5)         An entry permit number shall not be required for the import of fish.

6)         Entry permit numbers for animals entering Illinois from a state in which a declaration of emergency has been made shall be obtained within 24 hours after arrival.

c)         Licensees shall retain copies of the health certificates as part of their business records that are subject to inspection by the Department under the Act and Section 25.90.  Such records are required to be kept by licensees for 2 years from the date of receipt of the imported animal.

(Source:  Added at 31 Ill. Reg. 6904, effective May 1, 2007)