Frequently Asked Questions
While every situation is unique, there are a number of reoccurring questions that come through our Division. Here you can find some of these questions with concise answers and links to more in-depth information.
Animal Health
Care
- Contact your local County Sheriff’s office for companion animals such as horses, dogs and cats.
- Contact Animal Industries for production animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and swine.
- Review these biosecurity documents. Implement the measures that are most appropriate for your operation size and type.
- Follow all rules and recommendations for vaccination and testing of your animals.
- If you are a producer, follow the disposal requirements as outlined in IDAPA 02.04.17 “Rules Governing Dead Animal Movement and Disposal”.
- If you are concerned about livestock not being disposed of properly, you can contact ISDA or file a complaint.
Who do I contact if I'm concerned an animal is not receiving proper care?
What can I do to lower the risk of illness among my animals?
What can I do about dead animals?
Disease
- Vaccination: While there are some exceptions, for the most part resident female cattle require vaccination between 4 and 12 months of age and female cattle being imported require vaccination if they are 4 months of age or older.
- Testing: Regular testing is required for cattle herds located within or moving our of the Designated Surveillance Area (DSA).
- Testing is required before any adult brucellosis vaccinations are given.
- Testing is required for animals being used for the raw milk program.
- Testing is also required for certain intact sheep and goats being imported into Idaho.
- Annual trichomoniasis testing is required for all resident bulls 24 months and older.
- Testing is required for imported bulls 18 months and older, except those going to approved feedlots.
- A current season test is required for herds included on grazing permits.
- Tuberculosis testing is required for intact dairy cattle and rodeo cattle being imported, as well as animals being used for the raw milk program.
- West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans and several different animal types through mosquitoes. It is recommended to vaccinate animals annually, and manage mosquito populations as much as possible.
- Most frequently, vesicular stomatitis impacts livestock imports. Any Idaho resident animals found to be positive or exposed to positive animals would be quarantined to help prevent spread.
What are the brucellosis requirements in Idaho?
What are the rabies requirements in Idaho?
What are the trichomoniasis requirements in Idaho?
What are the tuberculosis requirements in Idaho?
Should I be concerned about West Nile Virus?
How am I affected by Vesicular Stomatitis?
Feeding
- The main way ISDA works with feedlots within the state is regarding waste management. ISDA does not regulate animal numbers, these are regulated by individual counties.
- If you have concerns about potentially improper waste management, you can contact ISDA to request an investigation.
- Approved feedlots are facilities allowed to feed otherwise non-qualified cattle.
- Rodeo Bull Lots are facilities allowed to keep bulls for use in rodeos without being tested for trichomoniasis.
- ISDA manages the health requirements of many grazing herds moving in or out of the state through grazing permits.
- Land leases and rights may be handled through the Idaho Department of Lands or the Bureau of Land Management.
What regulations are in place for cattle feedlots
What are Approved Feedlots?
What are Rodeo Bull Lots?
What are the requirements for grazing animals?
Identification
- Traceability is the system put in place to enhance our ability to locate animals quickly and efficiently, especially when there are disease concerns or outbreaks. Traceability is vital to the protection of Idaho’s livestock.
- Sheep and goats, swine, cervidae and certain classes of cattle require official identification when crossing state lines. This identification should be listed on a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
- While the requirements vary by species, generally any animal requiring testing or vaccination which is recorded on a USDA form must have official ID in place.
- Tagging sites are facilities approved by the state to receive animals without official identification, then apply identification tags on-site.
What is traceability?
What are the identification requirements for my animals?
What are Tagging Sites?
Movement
- The Brand Inspector is part of Idaho State Police. Their office can explain what the brand requirements are for movement into, out of and throughout Idaho.
- With the exception of animals leaving the Designated Surveillance Area for Brucellosis (DSA), there are not typically requirements for animals to leave the state of Idaho. The state of destination, however, likely has requirements for your animals to enter.
- While the requirements vary by species, at the very least every animal requires a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. More information can be found under each animal type:
- A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), also called a Health Certificate, is a document issued by a licensed and accredited veterinarian for interstate movement of animals. The information recorded on a CVI includes location information, animal demographics, and testing and vaccination information. The CVI attests that any animal listed on it is healthy for entry into the state of Idaho or movement from Idaho into another state. These documents are vital to the protection of the health of all animals within the state.
- If you are interested in obtaining a CVI, contact your local veterinarian.
- Other than animals moving out of the Designated Surveillance Area (DSA) for brucellosis, there are no health requirements for movement within the state. Although not required by the state, many fairs and other animal-centered events require testing and/or paperwork – always check with your event coordinator.
- Horses, goats and other pack animals that are coming into the state for hunting still need to meet the standard import requirements. Because there is often not a physical address available for hunting locations, the closest trailhead, campground, or the Idaho Department of Fish and Game Hunt unit may be used as the destination on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
What are the brand requirements in Idaho?
What do I need to do if I want to export animals?
What are the requirements for bringing an animal into the state?
What is a Certificate of Veterinary inspection, and how do I get one?
Do I need anything to move my animals within the state?
Are there any special requirements if I'm entering the state for hunting?
Licensing
- Egg distributors and candlers have licenses that renew July 1 of every year.
- Individuals that have less than 300 birds are allowed to sell ungraded eggs, as long as they are labeled as “UNGRADED EGGS” with the individual’s name, address and phone number.
- While the state does not require a license just to own cattle, certain facility types do have licensing or certification requirements:
- There may be instances where the state does not require a license but county and/or city requirements may be different. Always check with your local offices to make sure you meet their requirements.
- Commercial Fish Farms require a license which renews on even years only.
- Private pond owners require a license issued by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game prior to stocking their ponds.
- ISDA does not require a license to own domestic cervidae. Cervidae producers must adhere to CWD testing, facility inspection and annual inventory requirements.
- Rendering plants require a license for operation which renews annually.
What licensing requirements apply to eggs?
What licensing requirements apply to cattle?
What licensing requirements apply to fish?
What licensing requirements are there for domestic cervidae?
What licensing requirements are in place for animal rendering?
Ownership
- The premises registration program in Idaho is currently voluntary. Registering a premises helps in tracing animals quickly during animal health emergencies, and allows producers to purchase 840 tags for animal identification.
- Ownership of raccoons, skunks and foxes is restricted under Title 25, Chapter 2, Idaho Code
- Deleterious exotic animals have restrictions and/or additional ownership requirements in place.
- Invasive species have restrictions and/or ownership requirements in place.
Am I required to have a Premises Identification Number (PIN) to own livestock?
Which animals does ISDA have ownership restrictions for?
Waste
- If you are a producer, follow the disposal requirements as outlined in IDAPA 02.04.17 “Rules Governing Dead Animal Movement and Disposal”.
- If you are concerned about livestock not being disposed of properly, you can contact ISDA or file a complaint.
What do I need to know about dead animals?
Dairy Bureau
Care
- Contact Animal Industries regarding care concerns for production animals.
- Review these biosecurity documents. Implement the measures that are most appropriate for your operation size and type.
- Follow all rules and recommendations for vaccination and testing of your animals.
- If you are a producer, follow the disposal requirements as outlined in IDAPA 02.04.17 “Rules Governing Dead Animal Movement and Disposal”.
- If you are concerned about livestock not being disposed of properly, you can contact ISDA or file a complaint.
Who do I contact if I'm concerned a dairy is not providing proper care?
What can I do to lower the risk of illness among my animals?
What can I do about dead animals?
Disease
- Vaccination: While there are some exceptions, for the most part resident female cattle require vaccination between 4 and 12 months of age and female cattle being imported require vaccination if they are 4 months of age or older.
- Testing: Regular testing is required for cattle herds located within or moving our of the Designated Surveillance Area (DSA).
- Testing is required before any adult brucellosis vaccinations are given.
- Testing is required for animals being used for the raw milk program.
- Testing is also required for certain intact sheep and goats being imported into Idaho.
- Annual trichomoniasis testing is required for all resident bulls 24 months and older, except dairy bulls in dry lot operations.
- Testing is required for imported bulls 18 months and older, except those going to approved feedlots.
- Tuberculosis testing is required for intact dairy cattle being imported, as well as animals being used for the raw milk program.
- Most frequently, vesicular stomatitis impacts livestock imports. Any Idaho resident animals found to be positive or exposed to positive animals would be quarantined to help prevent spread.
What are the brucellosis requirements in Idaho?
What are the trichomoniasis requirements in Idaho?
What are the tuberculosis requirements in Idaho?
How am I affected by Vesicular Stomatitis?
Identification
- Traceability is the system put in place to enhance our ability to locate animals quickly and efficiently, especially when there are disease concerns or outbreaks. Traceability is vital to the protection of Idaho’s livestock.
- Dairy cattle as well as Sheep and goats require official identification when crossing state lines. This identification should be listed on a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
- Generally any animal requiring testing or vaccination which is recorded on a USDA form must have official ID in place.
- Tagging sites are facilities approved by the state to receive animals without official identification, then apply identification tags on-site.
What is traceability?
What are the identification requirements for my animals?
What are Tagging Sites?
Movement
- The Brand Inspector is part of Idaho State Police. Their office can explain what the brand requirements are for movement into, out of and throughout Idaho.
- With the exception of animals leaving the Designated Surveillance Area for Brucellosis (DSA), there are not typically requirements for animals to leave the state of Idaho. The state of destination, however, likely has requirements for your animals to enter.
- While the requirements vary by species, at the very least every animal requires a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. More information can be found under each animal type:
- A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), also called a Health Certificate, is a document issued by a licensed and accredited veterinarian for interstate movement of animals. The information recorded on a CVI includes location information, animal demographics, and testing and vaccination information. The CVI attests that any animal listed on it is healthy for entry into the state of Idaho or movement from Idaho into another state. These documents are vital to the protection of the health of all animals within the state.
- If you are interested in obtaining a CVI, contact your local veterinarian.
- Other than animals moving out of the Designated Surveillance Area (DSA) for brucellosis, there are no health requirements for movement within the state. Although not required by the state, many fairs and other animal-centered events require testing and/or paperwork – always check with your event coordinator.
What are the brand requirements in Idaho?
What do I need to do if I want to export animals?
What are the requirements for bringing dairy animals into the state?
What is a Certificate of Veterinary inspection, and how do I get one?
Do I need anything to move my animals within the state?
Licensing & Permits
- Grade A Dairies, Dairy Processing Plants, Bulk Haulers/Samplers and Raw Milk Producers all have licensing or permitting requirements.
- There may be instances where county and/or city authorities require additional permits. Always check with your local offices to make sure you meet their requirements.
- In addition to all dairy licensing and permitting requirements, the following may apply to dairy cattle:
- Rendering plants require a license for operation which renews annually.
What licensing requirements apply to dairies?
What licensing requirements apply to cattle in general?
What licensing requirements are in place for animal rendering?
Waste
- All dairies in the state of Idaho require an Environmental/Nutrient Management Plan, written by a certified planner.
- If you are concerned about livestock not being disposed of properly, you can contact ISDA or file a complaint.
- If you are a producer, follow the disposal requirements as outlined in IDAPA 02.04.17 “Rules Governing Dead Animal Movement and Disposal”.
- If you are concerned about livestock not being disposed of properly, you can contact ISDA or file a complaint.
What do I need to know about dairy waste management?
What do I need to know about dead animals?