Before You Cross the State Line
New Hampshire has specific entry requirements for dogs and cats arriving from out of state. Getting the paperwork right before moving day is much easier than dealing with it on arrival. This page provides informational context — always confirm current requirements with your veterinarian and the NH Department of Agriculture before you travel.
Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI / Health Certificate)
A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is required for dogs and cats entering New Hampshire from other states. The CVI must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within 10 days of your travel date. Schedule your pre-move vet appointment carefully — a CVI issued 12 days before arrival won't be valid when you get there. (New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food — Bureau of Animal Industry, accessed September 4, 2026)
- Book the vet appointment within 10 days of your move date — not before
- Confirm your vet is USDA-accredited (most licensed vets are, but verify)
- Request a printed CVI and ask your vet to email a copy to your Voocie address
- Carry the original CVI in your vehicle during travel — not in a moving box
- Bring your pet's complete vaccination history to the pre-move appointment
Rabies Vaccination: NH RSA 436:100
New Hampshire RSA 436:100 requires rabies vaccination for all dogs, cats, and ferrets. This is a statewide statutory requirement — every pet entering NH must be current on rabies. If your pet's rabies certificate is within a few months of expiring, schedule a booster before your move rather than after. (NH RSA 436:100, accessed September 4, 2026)
New Hampshire Dog Licensing: Town Clerk, Not the State
One of the first things new NH residents discover: dog licensing is handled entirely by your local town clerk — not the county, not the state. Under NH RSA 466, all dogs must be licensed annually. Licenses are due by April 30 each year, and late fees apply after that date. When you move mid-year, licensing requirements vary by town, so contact your town clerk shortly after establishing residency. (NH RSA 466, accessed September 4, 2026)
| Municipality | Annual Renewal Deadline | Where to License | Rabies Cert Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concord | April 30 each year | City Clerk's Office | Yes — per NH RSA 436:100 |
| Manchester | April 30 each year | City Clerk's Office | Yes — per NH RSA 436:100 |
| Nashua | April 30 each year | City Clerk's Office | Yes — per NH RSA 436:100 |
| All other towns | April 30 — per NH RSA 466 | Town Clerk's Office | Yes — statewide requirement |
Cats are not currently required to be licensed under NH state law, though individual municipalities may have additional rules. Ferrets require rabies vaccination under NH RSA 436:100 but licensing requirements vary by town. Always confirm with your specific town clerk.
Lyme Disease Risk in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is consistently ranked among the highest-risk states in the US for Lyme disease. The CDC identifies NH as a high-incidence state, and the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) is prevalent across most of the state, including suburban and rural areas. If you're moving from a lower-risk region, this represents a meaningful change in your pet's exposure profile.
Talk to your new NH veterinarian about tick prevention appropriate for your dog's lifestyle. This is not optional in New Hampshire — tick season runs roughly April through November, with activity possible on warm winter days. Record all tick preventative prescriptions and any tick-related vet visits in your pet's health file; this history matters if a tick-borne disease workup is ever needed.
Wildlife Hazards: Coyotes, Fishers, and Bears
New Hampshire Fish & Game documents regular encounters between pets and native wildlife, including coyotes, fisher cats, and black bears. (NH Fish & Game — Wildlife and Human Conflicts, accessed September 4, 2026) These are not rare events — they happen in suburbs as well as rural areas, and smaller dogs and cats are at particular risk from coyotes and fishers.
- Keep cats indoors at dawn, dusk, and overnight — peak coyote and fisher activity windows
- Supervise small dogs outdoors, especially in wooded or edge-habitat areas
- Secure outdoor feeding areas — food attracts bears and the wildlife that follows
- Learn to identify fisher tracks and sign — fishers are active year-round
- Keep dogs on leash in wooded trail areas unless in a designated off-leash zone
Your New Hampshire Move-In Records Checklist
Between setting up utilities, transferring your license, and finding the town clerk's office, pet paperwork is easy to defer. Don't. Here's what to have organized before you arrive:
- Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) — issued within 10 days of travel
- Rabies certificate — required by NH RSA 436:100 and for town-clerk licensing
- Core vaccine records — DHPP (dogs), FVRCP (cats), plus any lifestyle vaccines
- Microchip documentation — chip number and registration details
- Spay/neuter certificate — NH towns typically charge reduced licensing fees for altered dogs
- Prior vet contact info — for records transfer to your new NH veterinarian
- Tick/flea/heartworm prevention records — particularly important in NH
- Any specialist records — orthopedics, cardiology, dermatology, etc.
Finding a Vet in New Hampshire
New Hampshire's veterinary community is concentrated in the Manchester-Nashua corridor and the seacoast area around Portsmouth. Rural and North Country areas can have limited options and longer wait times for new patients. Don't wait until your pet needs care to find a provider.
- Ask your current vet for referrals to NH colleagues before you move
- Check the New Hampshire Veterinary Medical Association directory
- Request a full records transfer — not just a summary letter
- Identify the nearest 24-hour emergency vet clinic before your pet needs it
Last verified: September 4, 2026. Licensing rules, fees, and entry requirements change — always confirm current requirements with the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, your destination town clerk's office, and your licensed veterinarian before traveling. This guide is informational only and does not constitute veterinary or legal advice. Always talk to your vet about your pet's specific health needs.