(a) (1) A person seeking to bring a dog into this state or importing dogs into this state for the purpose of resale or change of ownership shall obtain a health certificate with respect to that dog that has been completed by a licensed veterinarian and is dated within 10 days prior to the date on which the dog is brought into the state.

(2) The person seeking to bring the dog into this state or importing dogs into this state for the purpose of resale or change of ownership shall submit the health certificate to the county health department as provided in subdivision (c). The person shall submit the health certificate to the county health department by any method accepted by the receiving agency, including, but not limited to, electronic transmission and facsimile.

(b) Completion of a United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Form 7001, known as the United States Interstate and International Certificate of Health Examination for Small Animals, shall satisfy the requirement of subdivision (a). A different form of canine health certificate acceptable to the receiving agency shall also satisfy the requirement of subdivision (a).

(c) It shall be the responsibility of persons importing dogs into this state for the purpose of resale or change of ownership to send the health certificate to the county health department where the dog is to be offered for sale or to the county of residence of the individual purchasing or receiving a dog directly from a source outside of California.

(d) The receiving agency may use the information on the health certificate as it deems appropriate.

(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 498, Sec. 1. (AB 1809) Effective January 1, 2015.)