Veterinary

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can the NCDA&CS Veterinary Division treat or diagnose my pet?
  No. Please consult you local veterinary practitioner for questions about the diagnosis and treatment of a personal pet or animal.

• Who do I call about an animal being mistreated?
  Call the local sheriff's offices, magistrate or local animal control for cases of animal cruelty, stolen animals, animals running at large, in-home pet sitting services, private breeding kennels, dead animals found off a farm not buried, or humane care of animals other than dogs and cats being sold commercially. Animal cruelty cases are handled at the local level. The first source of contact should be your county sheriff's office and/or your county animal cruelty investigator. Any person may, however, bring an action directly to the district court judge in any county where cruelty to an animal has been alleged.

• I found a dead bird in my yard. How do I find out if it has West Nile Virus?
  In North Carolina, state health officials urge people to report dead birds to the Public Health Pest Management Section by calling (877) 790-1747 or sending e-mail to ncwnv@ncmail.net. An online form is also available at http://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/phpm Crows, bluejays and hawks seem to be the most susceptible.

• Who can I complain to about a boarding kennel, shelter or pet shop?
  The NCDA&CS Animal Welfare Section oversees licenses boarding kennel, pet shop, animal shelter or those sold at auction. Contact the division at (919) 715-7111.
  Call NCDA&CS Structural Pest Control & Pesticides Division at (919) 733-7366 regarding a grooming facility that does not board dogs or cats.

• What do I need to do to bring a small animal into the state?
  Call the office of Dr. Carl Williams at (919) 707-5900 for questions about rabies, interstate movement of dogs or cats or small animal health certificates.

• I need to travel out-of-state with my horse or livestock. What do I need to do?
  Call the voice response at 1-800-545-8732 for questions on the requirements for health certificates for any of the 50 states. Call NCDA&CS Animal Health Programs at (919) 733-7601 to order blank large animal and equine health certificate forms for interstate travel within the continental United States. Call NCDA&CS Rollins Diagnostic Laboratory at (919) 733-3986 for Coggins (EIA) forms.

• I'm traveling out-of-state with my birds. What do I need to do?
  Call NCDA - Animal Health Programs at (919) 733-7601 for questions or problems regarding interstate movement of birds and poultry.

• I've got a question about wildlife. Who should I call?
  Call NC Wildlife Commission at (919) 707-0060 for questions or problems with Fish & Game, bats, beavers, bears, birds, squirrels, snakes (native species only), fox, raccoons, skunks, deer, lizards and any other native species.

• I want to sell animals. What type of permits do I need?
  Call Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Animal Care Office at (919) 855-7100 for licensure requirements to sell dogs or cats wholesale into the pet trade, to sell or exhibit exotic or wild mannals for compensation, or to transport animals in commerce. 

• I want to sell livestock to a foreign buyer. What do I do?
  Call USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services at (919) 855-7700 for questions regarding international import/export of livestock.

• I bought a dog/cat from outside the country. Who do I need to contact?
  Call the Center for Disease Control (CDC) at (404) 639-8107 regarding the import of small animals from outside of the US.

• I need animal parts for educational research. Who can I contact?
  To collect tissues or organs from a slaughter plant for a research project at school, send a written request explaining what you wish to collect, purpose of collection and from which plant you wish to collect. Address the request to: Director of Veterinary Division, 1001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1001.