Certificates of Veterinary Inspection

Information from the ATCP 16 "Plain Language Analysis" prepared by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP):

Act 90, Section 8, (a) states that: "No person who is required to be licensed under sub. (2) may sell a dog without providing...A certificate of veterinary inspection."

 ATCP 16 specifies that the certificate must be prepared and signed by a Wisconsin certified veterinarian, except that a certificate accompanying a dog imported into this state may be issued by a veterinarian who is accredited by USDA and the state of origin.

 A certificate of veterinary inspection must be issued on a form provided by DATCP, USDA, or the state in which the certificate is issued. A certificate issued in this state must be issued on a form provided by DATCP. The certificate must include all of the following:

• The name and address of the person selling the dog.
  
• The number, breed, sex and age of the dog.
  
• Whether the dog is spayed, neutered or sexually intact.
  
• The dog’s vaccination record. The vaccination record must identify each type of vaccination that the dog has received. For each type of vaccination, the record must include all of the following:
  
  • The name of the vaccine manufacturer.
  • The vaccine serial number and lot number.
  • The date on which the vaccine was administered.
  • The name of the person who administered the vaccine.
• Import information required under current rules if the certificate accompanies a dog imported into this state.
  
• If the dog is sold at public auction, documentation showing that the dog has tested negative on a brucellosis test conducted within 30 days prior to the auction sale.
  
• The following statement, or a substantially similar statement, that is based on at least a brief personal examination by the veterinarian making the statement:
  “I certify, as a veterinarian, that I have inspected the dogs identified on this certificate and that the dogs are not showing any sign of infectious, contagious or communicable disease, except as otherwise noted on this certificate. Vaccinations and test results are as indicated on this certificate. This certificate is not a warranty.”
  
• The veterinarian’s signature and the date of signature.  The veterinarian must sign the certificate within 10 days after he/she completes the examination on which the certificate is based. The certificate is valid for 30 days after the date of examination. Copies must be provided to the following persons:
• • The person buying the dog.
    
  • The person selling the dog
  • The veterinarian who issues the certificate.

ATCP 16 (pdf)   *   Dog Breeders and Sellers Law Home Page (DATCP website)
DATCP News: Animal Rescues & Certificates of Veterinary Inspection   

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