Before you leave
- Ask your current vet for the complete vaccination history and a copy of the rabies certificate.
- Check any lapsed boosters and get them done now, while you still have a vet who knows the animal.
- Update the microchip registration with your new address and phone number.
The landlord
Most pet addendums want proof of rabies, breed, weight and age, and a photo. Some want spay or neuter status and a vet reference. See renting with pets for how to send it as one link.
The new county
Rabies rules and licensing are set by states and counties, and the new one may want a license within a set number of days of arrival. Start with rabies rules by state and then the county’s animal control page.
The new vet
Bring the full history. A new clinic that cannot see a record treats it as absent, and you pay for a booster you did not need. A share link gives them the dated history before the first visit.
Crossing a state line by car
Domestic moves rarely require a health certificate for a family pet in a car, but some states technically do. Check the destination state’s animal import rules; a certificate is cheap insurance if you are unsure.
Sources
Rules and guidelines change, and businesses set their own policies. Confirm with your vet and with whoever is asking.