Actually you may have broken the law, even though no one was monitoring the state line. (check your state's laws).

Its very likely that your pets would also not be accepted in an evacuation center without documents of current vaccinations.

My dog can't get her toenails trimmed without her records of vaccinations.

ML

From petsonthego.com:

If you think that you can simply jump in the car and cross state lines with your pets, hold your horses. Every state has a law on the books that require appropriate health documentation for your visiting pet.

While this isn't an enormous issue for people who like to travel with their pets, it is important to obtain proper documentation before taking your next trip across state lines.

Anyone who plans to travel to another state(s) with their pet needs to have a health certificate or, as it is more formally called, a "Certificate of Veterinary Inspection." This is an official document that is signed by a licensed and accredited veterinarian.

It guarantees that the pet shows no signs of communicable disease and gives a date that the inspection took place. Included in this document should be rabies vaccination information that includes the dates that it was given.

States might also require:

An import permit
Tests for disease
Additional Vaccinations
Information guaranteeing that the pet did not come from an area under quarantine restrictions.

As a general overview, rabies vaccination documentation is required by all states for dogs and by most states for cats. States where cats are exempt include Arizona, California, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Oklahoma. A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) for dogs is required by all states except for California and Texas. Cats are exempt from needing this certificate in California, Illinois, Montana, Texas and Vermont.

These are general recommendations. As always, we recommend that you contact the state Agricultural or Veterinary department directly for an official answer. More detailed information can be found at the USDA's APHIS site.

I am not doubting what you say, but I have traveled in over half the states and no one has stopped me except for many years ago and that was entering California for food stuff. How do they know you have a pet in the car, how can they enforce such a law if they don't stop all cars entering the state.

I understand why you have to show proof of vaccination when you get it groomed, that is to protect the groomers.

Try crossing over the Canadian border without your pet's paperwork - you AND your pet will be turned around and sent back to the USA - ask me how I know about this! LOL

What about your own and your chilren's records of vaccination? (Your marriage license? LOL)

I know you must jump through government hoops when bringing an animal to Hawaii. But, until we have to show passports between contiguous American states, I'm not going to worry. Wouldn't my dog's tag showing vaccination be enough -- in the remote event anyone would ask?

No groomer has ever brought this up in the 40 years we've had Westies groomed -- not when making an appointment; not in person. Not every dog wears a collar with tags either.

I'm a canuck and reside in the USA (wel Nicaragua now) Yes one should have the proper docs when crossing into Canada--(which I did) but the Cdn Customs person never asked for them, in fact handed my dog a biscuit!! I know many that have immigrated from Canada to the USA--and they rarely ever ask about the dogs/cats---but 1 should have the docs at the ready. When in the USa, never travel with them, and not overly worried!!