Before you move: what to prepare
1. Get a health certificate
Tennessee requires a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) for dogs and cats entering the state. Under Tennessee Department of Agriculture animal import requirements (accessed August 29, 2026), the CVI must be issued by a licensed, accredited veterinarian within 30 days of entry into Tennessee. It must confirm that the animal is free of signs of contagious disease and has a current rabies vaccination.
Your vet will need access to your pet's complete vaccination records to fill out the CVI correctly. Request this at least 2 weeks before your move.
2. Confirm rabies vaccination is current — and check the age requirement
Under TCA §68-8-103 (accessed August 29, 2026), Tennessee requires rabies vaccination for all dogs and cats three months of age and older. This is earlier than many states (most require four to six months). If you're moving with a puppy or kitten, check whether they need to be vaccinated before they would have been in your previous state.
If your pet's rabies vaccine will expire during or shortly after the move, get it updated before you leave.
3. Request complete medical records from your current vet
Ask for a full medical records transfer — not just vaccinations, but blood work, medication history, surgical notes, and specialist records. Request this as a digital file (PDF) at least 2 weeks before moving.
This is especially important if you're moving to Tennessee from a northern state: your new Tennessee vet will want to see your pet's heartworm testing history and current prevention protocol, since Tennessee has significantly higher heartworm prevalence than most northern states.
4. Start or confirm heartworm prevention
If you're moving from a state where heartworm prevention was seasonal (or not needed), you'll need to start year-round prevention in Tennessee. Tennessee sits in the heartworm belt — the American Heartworm Society identifies the Southeast as the highest-prevalence region in the country. Talk to your current vet about starting prevention before the move, or plan to address it immediately with your new Tennessee vet.
If your dog is already on heartworm prevention, bring records showing the product name, dose, and last administration date. Your new vet will want to verify compliance and may recommend a heartworm test.
Within 30 days of arriving
5. License your pet (if your city requires it)
Tennessee doesn't have a statewide pet licensing requirement — it's city by city. Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga all require pet licenses. Rural counties often do not. Check with your city or county animal services to see if licensing is required where you're moving. (Full Tennessee licensing guide →)
Where required, you'll need your current rabies certificate and proof of spay/neuter status. Get licensed within 30 days of establishing residency.
6. Find a new veterinarian
Start the vet search before or immediately after your move. Nashville and Memphis, in particular, have popular practices with waitlists. The Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association (accessed August 29, 2026) offers a vet finder tool, or ask for referrals from neighbors.
Share your pet's complete medical records with the new vet before the first appointment. Highlight three things for your Tennessee vet specifically:
- Current heartworm prevention status and test history
- Flea/tick prevention history (year-round may be new for you)
- Any health conditions that Tennessee's climate might affect (allergies, respiratory issues in humid heat)
7. Update microchip registration
If your pet is microchipped, update your address and phone number in the chip registration database immediately. Moves are the highest-risk time for pets getting loose — unfamiliar yard, different fence heights, new doors and gates they haven't learned. The microchip is how they get home.
Tennessee-specific things new residents should know
- Heartworm is more serious here than you think. If you're moving from the Pacific Northwest, Mountain West, or New England, heartworm may have been a minor consideration. In Tennessee, it's not optional — talk to your vet immediately about year-round prevention and get a baseline heartworm test.
- Flea/tick season is nearly year-round. Tennessee's mild winters don't reliably kill flea and tick populations. Most Tennessee vets recommend 12-month flea and tick prevention. If your previous state only needed seasonal prevention, expect to increase coverage.
- Heat and humidity affect pets. Tennessee summers are hot and humid. Brachycephalic breeds (Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs) and senior dogs may need adjusted exercise schedules. Walks move to early morning and evening. Watch for signs of heat stress.
- Outdoor recreation is everywhere. Tennessee's state parks, lakes, and trails are excellent for dogs — but standing water, wildlife, and rural areas increase leptospirosis and tick exposure. Talk to your vet about Lyme and leptospirosis vaccinations if your dog will be doing outdoor recreation.
- Emergency vet access. Nashville has multiple 24-hour emergency hospitals (BluePearl, Nashville Veterinary Specialists). Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga also have emergency coverage. Outside metro areas, emergency vet access can be limited — identify the nearest 24-hour hospital before you need it.
Moving checklist
Last verified: August 29, 2026. Import requirements and licensing rules may change — check with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and your city's animal services for current requirements.