There are states that offer opportunities for pet owners to enter their pets in various contests and state fairs. If you want to start doing this with your favorite animal, there are a few things you should know first. It’s important to research which states neighboring yours will allow you to do this, and then it’s important to know about special requirements.
The Pet Health Certificate
An online pet health certificate is required in some states for you to show your pet at fairs and contests. It is given to you by a vet that certifies that your animal isn’t carrying any communicable diseases that could make other people’s pets sick. In states where many animals have been known to become deathly ill crossing state lines, states have made this a mandate.
Checking for Open Wounds
Animals that have open wounds may not be able to enter other state fairs or competitions. The reason being that open wounds draw flies, infections, and sickness into the barns. Wounds are also considered unsightly, and animals with “blemishes” are often disqualified from competing. Your vet can verify if a wound will seal up in time for competition, or if it’s just not going to happen any time soon. In some cases these wounds or blemishes will also disavow you of the pet health certificate. Have your vet aggressively treat the wounds so that you can acquire the certificate and still compete when the time comes. If you can’t compete in the immediate future, you may at a later date.
