Moving to Louisiana with pets: records, licensing, and settling in

Before the move: what Louisiana requires

Under Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 3, §2772 (accessed Aug 31, 2026), all dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies. Before crossing the state line with your pet, make sure you have:

• Current rabies vaccination certificate — required by Louisiana state law. Must show vaccine date, expiration, and administering veterinarian.
• Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI / health certificate) — the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry (LDAF) (accessed Aug 31, 2026) oversees animal import requirements. CVIs are typically valid for 30 days and must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian.
• Complete vaccination records — DHPP (dogs), FVRCP (cats), bordetella, and any other vaccines. Your new Louisiana vet will want the full history, especially heartworm testing and prevention records.

After you arrive: parish licensing

Louisiana handles pet licensing at the parish and municipal level — there is no statewide pet license. Here's what to expect in the major metros:

The Louisiana health reality: what's different here

If you're moving from a northern state, Louisiana's climate presents health challenges your pet may not have faced before:

• Year-round heartworm risk: Louisiana's warm, humid climate means mosquitoes (and heartworm transmission) are active 12 months a year. Your new Louisiana vet will insist on year-round heartworm prevention. Bring documentation of your pet's most recent negative heartworm test — your new vet will want to test again before starting or continuing prevention.
• Flea and tick pressure: Louisiana's subtropical climate supports aggressive flea and tick populations year-round. Plan for year-round parasite prevention — talk to your new vet about products appropriate for Louisiana's climate.
• Leptospirosis risk: Louisiana's frequent flooding and abundant wildlife make leptospirosis a real concern, particularly in the New Orleans metro and low-lying areas. Many Louisiana vets recommend the leptospirosis vaccine for dogs.
• Heat safety: Louisiana summers routinely hit 95°F+ with extreme humidity. Adjust outdoor exercise schedules, watch for heat exhaustion, and never leave pets in vehicles. The Louisiana Department of Health (accessed Aug 31, 2026) issues heat advisories that affect pets as well as people.

Hurricane season: your pet's records are critical

If you're moving to Louisiana, hurricane preparedness is a way of life from June through November. For pet owners, this means:

• Pet-friendly shelters require vaccination proof. During evacuations, shelters that accept pets will ask for current rabies certificates at minimum. Having records on your phone — not in a file cabinet that might flood — is essential.
• Licensed pets are reunited faster. If you and your pet are separated during a storm, a licensed and microchipped pet with accessible records has a dramatically better chance of being returned to you.
• Evacuation planning: The GOHSEP (accessed Aug 31, 2026) emphasizes including pets in your evacuation plan. Know your route, know which shelters accept pets, and have your records ready.

Finding and onboarding with a new vet

1. Research before you move. Look for AAHA-accredited clinics near your new address. New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette have strong veterinary communities.
2. Transfer your complete record. Your old vet can email records to your pet's @voocie.com address — they arrive organized in one timeline. Your new vet sees everything: vaccines, lab work, prescriptions, surgical history.
3. Schedule a wellness visit early. Louisiana vets will want to see new patients promptly. Bring your rabies certificate, full vaccination records, heartworm test results, and any ongoing prescriptions.
4. Discuss Louisiana-specific risks. Your new vet will likely recommend year-round heartworm and flea/tick prevention, and may suggest leptospirosis vaccination. Share your pet's full history so they can adjust the preventive care plan.

Your Louisiana moving-with-pets checklist

• Current rabies vaccination certificate (required by state law)
• Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (within 30 days of travel)
• Complete vaccination history (DHPP, FVRCP, bordetella, etc.)
• Recent heartworm test results — critical in Louisiana
• Proof of spay/neuter (for reduced parish license fees)
• Current prescriptions and medication records
• New vet appointment scheduled within 30 days of arrival
• Parish pet registration within 30 days
• Hurricane evacuation plan that includes your pet

Last verified: August 31, 2026. Parish licensing fees and registration deadlines change periodically. Always confirm with your specific parish's animal services office after moving.