Veterinary - Rabbit Health

RHDV2 Rabbit Import Guidelines

An import permit from the State Veterinarian’s office is required and shall be accompanied by an official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) for the importation of a rabbit, or any species in the order Lagomorpha, into the State of North Carolina when:

• Originating from any country or state with Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus-2 ("RHDV-2") detected.
• If rabbits make intervening stops (defined as a stop in a country or state longer than 24 hours but less than 10 days) in country or state with RHDV2 detected and rabbit(s) is exposed to bedding, or other rabbits that were not shipped directly from point of origin together.
• Permit shall be certifying the rabbit to be free from any contagious animal disease, including RHDV2.
• CVI is valid for 7 days from date of issuance.

An import permit is NOT required when:

• Originating from any country or state where RHDV-2 has not been detected.
• If rabbit makes intervening stops in country or state without RHDV.
   

The application for rabbit importation shall include the arrival date, the import destination physical address within the State of North Carolina, a contact person and phone number at that location, and any federal licensing, permit, and documentation required for the importation of the rabbit if imported from outside of the United States of America. A rabbit requiring an import permit that is imported into North Carolina shall be accompanied by an official health certificate with the import permit number and shall be made available for inspection by the State Veterinarian, or his/her designee, upon request.

Please check your state’s RHDV-2 status with the USDA.

Additional resources:
Wildlifehealth.org RHDV2