02 NCAC 52B .0214 IMPORTATION REQUIREMENTS: RABBITS, or any species in the order Lagomorpha, including hares and pikas
(a) An import permit from the State Veterinarian is required for the importation of a rabbit, or any species in the order of Lagomorpha, including hare and pika, into the State of North Carolina originating from:
(1) any country or state with Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus-2 ("RHDV-2") detected; or
(2) a state or country without RHDV-2 if the animal makes any intervening stop in a country or state with RHDV-2 detected, if the animal is commingled or exposed to any other animal in the order of Lagomorpha not being shipped directly from the point of origin together, or if the imported rabbit is exposed to materials such as cages, beddings, and supplies that have been in contact with another animal in the order of Lagomorpha not shipped directly from the point of origin together.
(b) The import permit application shall be accompanied by an official health certificate, as detailed in 02 NCAC 52B .0202, certifying the animal to be free from any contagious animal disease, including RHDV-2, as follows:
(1) If the animal is shipped directly without any intervening stops, without commingling or exposure to any other animal in the order of Lagomorpha not being shipped directly from the point of origin together, and without exposure to materials such as cages, beddings, and supplies that have been in contact with another animal in the order of Lagomorpha not shipped directly from the point of origin together, then the official health certificate shall be obtained within 7 days of the date of importation into North Carolina.
(2) If the animal is shipped with intervening stops, with commingling or exposure to another animal in the order of Lagomorpha not being shipped directly from the point of origin together, or with exposure to materials such as cages, beddings, and supplies that have been in contact with another animal in the order of Lagomorpha not shipped directly from the point of origin together, then the official health certificate shall be obtained from the country or state of the last intervening stop, commingling, or exposure, and within 7 days of the date of importation into North Carolina.
(c) No permit is needed for rabbits, or any species in the order of Lagomorpha, including hare and pika, brought into the State on a temporary basis for the sole purpose of seeking veterinary services by a North Carolina licensed veterinarian, lasting only until the end of the veterinary service visit, and the animal is brought directly to the veterinary clinic and departs from the veterinary clinic to the originating state with no intervening stops.
(d) The application for an importation permit shall include the state of origin, the date that the official health inspection was conducted, the owner's name, address, and phone number at the time of import, the import destination within the State of North Carolina, the name, address, and phone number of the person with control and responsibility over the animal at the import destination, and any federal licensing, permit, and documentation required for the importation of the animal if imported from outside of the United States of America.
(e) A rabbit, or any species in the order of Lagomorpha, including hare and pika, 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 or her designee upon request.
(f) An intervening stop is defined as a stop in a country or state longer than 24 hours but less than 10 days. The location of any stop for longer than 10 days shall be deemed the new country or state of origin.
(g) Health certificates issued outside of the United States shall be issued in English and by a veterinarian with a valid license to practice veterinary medicine in the country of export.
(h) The requirement for an entry permit and official health certificate are waived for a rabbit, or any species in the order of Lagomorpha, including hare and pika, for exhibitions or shows that adhere to the following guidelines:
(1) A licensed and USDA accredited veterinarian, specifically a professional veterinarian who has completed formal training from the National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) in the state in which they are licensed to practice veterinary medicine, performs a health assessment outside of the exhibition or show venue prior to any commingling of animals from separate origins, and prior to entry of the exhibition or show venue. For the purposes of this subchapter, a health assessment conducted by a licensed and USDA accredited veterinarian involves the veterinary examination of an animal to ensure that the animal is in good health and well-being, as well as free of any visible signs of pain, distress, suffering, or displaying any symptoms consistent with RHDV-2. If an animal is found to exhibit any symptoms consistent with RHDV-2, that animal as well as any cohorts, which includes animals from the same origin, animals that traveled together, or animals that where commingled, will be excluded from the exhibition or show and must return without any commingling of other animals directly to its origin location.
(2) The exhibition or show administrators, upon request from the NCDA&CS Veterinary Division, shall provide the name, address, phone number, and number of animals for every participant in the exhibition or show for NCDA&CS disease epidemiological investigation and testing purposes.
History Note: Authority G.S. 106‑317;
Emergency Adoption Eff. July 13, 2021;
Temporary Adoption Eff. September 24, 2021;
Eff. December 1, 2022;
Amended Eff. December 1, 2023.