Virginia is preparing to take in horses and other animals from areas hit by Hurricane Dorian, and officials won’t require the usual paperwork to assure pets and horses are healthy.
By state law, people who bring horses into Virginia should have a vet certify that those animals are in good health and provide what’s called a negative Coggins test result -- proof they don’t have equine infectious anemia. Charlie Broaddus is the state veterinarian.
“Ideally we’d like them to have a negative Coggins test with their horses and a certificate of veterinary inspection," he says, "but given the emergency nature of an evacuation, they can still come without those documents. Just come up the road like everybody else.”
They will, he adds, have to find stables willing to shelter their horses, and those facilities might have different rules.
“That stable perhaps may say, “We do need you to have a negative Coggins test before you come to our stable.”
Technically, dogs and cats coming into the state should also be certified healthy, but Virginia won’t ask for paperwork and will help owners to find shelters where they can keep their companion animals.
“One of the big reasons that people didn’t evacuate during Katrina is they didn’t want to leave their pet behind," Broaddus recalls. "We’ve certainly all heard that message and want to provide accommodations for those pets so people will feel comfortable evacuating if they need to do so.”
Waivers expire on September 30th.
Anyone looking for a place to stable refugee horses may wish to consult this state listing: www.vdacs.virginia.gov/animals-animal-health.shtml.
Horse owners should call individual venues to see if they have availability. This list will help horse owners identify and locate resources that may be helpful. These resources are independent and VDACS has not inspected, vetted or contacted these individuals and does not assume responsibility for the conduct or actions of the individuals. Please note that some state park facilities may be closed due to the hurricane.
Virginia horse owners taking their horses to another state should check with the destination state for their requirements.
