Before you move: the health certificate
Georgia requires dogs and cats entering from out-of-state to be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), issued by a licensed, USDA-accredited veterinarian in your origin state. The certificate must be issued within 30 days of entry. Georgia's Department of Agriculture administers these entry requirements.
The CVI must include:
- Species, breed, age, sex, and identifying marks or microchip number
- Current rabies vaccination status — date, vaccine brand, lot number, expiration
- A health statement that the animal is free from visible signs of communicable disease
- Your name, origin address, and Georgia destination
If you're flying into Hartsfield-Jackson, your airline will require the CVI in addition to state law. Keep a copy accessible throughout transit.
Rabies vaccination: Georgia law
Under Georgia Code Title 4, Chapter 8 and O.C.G.A. §31-19-3 (accessed Aug 27, 2026), all dogs and cats in Georgia must be vaccinated against rabies. The vaccination must be administered by a licensed veterinarian. Georgia accepts rabies documentation from other states as long as the vaccine is within its labeled duration of immunity.
Georgia's primary rabies vectors include raccoons, bats, and foxes. In the metro Atlanta area, raccoon populations are dense in suburban neighborhoods, and bat encounters — including in residential attics — are not uncommon. Keeping your pet's rabies status current is important regardless of whether they spend time outdoors.
Pet licensing: county-by-county in Georgia
Georgia has no statewide pet licensing requirement. Licensing is handled entirely at the county level, and practices vary significantly. Three of the most populated counties have the following requirements:
| County | Licensing required | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Fulton County | Dogs and cats | Fulton County Animal Services |
| DeKalb County | Dogs and cats | DeKalb County Animal Services |
| Gwinnett County | Dogs and cats | Gwinnett County Animal Welfare |
Licensing fees, deadlines, and renewal processes vary by county. Some counties require licensing within 30 days of establishing residency; others have annual renewal cycles. Contact your specific county's animal services office upon arrival to understand the current requirements and fees.
Georgia's dangerous dog laws
Under O.C.G.A. §4-8-6 (accessed Aug 27, 2026), Georgia has a detailed Responsible Dog Ownership Law that classifies dogs as "dangerous" or "vicious" based on behavior — not breed. Dogs declared dangerous must be registered with the local animal control authority, kept confined, and may require liability insurance. If you're moving with a dog that has a prior bite incident or dangerous designation from another state, contact your county animal control before you arrive to understand the process.
Finding a new vet in Georgia
Metro Atlanta has an excellent veterinary network including multiple emergency and specialty hospitals (oncology, cardiology, internal medicine, neurology). Suburban counties and South Georgia have good general practice access but more limited specialty options.
- Book early — practices in Buckhead, Decatur, Sandy Springs, and Alpharetta often have 2–3 week new-patient waits.
- Verify licenses through the Georgia Secretary of State Professional Licensing (accessed Aug 27, 2026).
- Request complete records — SOAP notes, vaccine history, lab results, and any imaging — from every provider at least two weeks before your move.
Georgia-specific considerations
- Year-round heartworm: Georgia's warm, humid climate means mosquitoes are active for most of the year — and heartworm transmission risk is essentially year-round. If you're arriving from a northern state where seasonal prevention was standard, switch to year-round heartworm prevention immediately. Talk to your new Georgia vet at your first visit about the appropriate product for your pet's size and lifestyle.
- Year-round fleas and ticks: Unlike northern states, Georgia rarely gets cold enough for a true flea and tick dormancy period. Flea prevention should be maintained year-round. Ticks carry multiple pathogens in Georgia — not just Lyme (which is less prevalent here than in the Northeast) but also Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis, which can be serious. Talk to your vet about the right tick prevention protocol.
- Wildlife in the suburbs: Metro Atlanta suburbs have active coyote populations, particularly in newer developments built into formerly forested land. Coyotes prey on small dogs and outdoor cats. Keep small pets leashed outdoors and don't leave cats unsupervised at night. Foxes, deer, and opossums are also common in suburban Georgia neighborhoods.
- Heat and humidity: Georgia summers are hot and intensely humid. Brachycephalic breeds (bulldogs, pugs, French bulldogs, Boston terriers) and older dogs are at higher risk for heat stress. Limit outdoor activity during peak heat hours (10am–4pm in summer), always provide shade and water, and never leave a pet in a parked car — Georgia temperatures in July can make a car interior lethal within minutes.
Your Georgia move checklist
Last verified: October 7, 2026. County licensing requirements in Georgia vary significantly and change periodically. Always contact your specific county's animal services office for current requirements and fees.