Many animal movements require official documentation, whether relocating, vacationing, or adopting a new pet. A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) is the primary form of legal documentation confirming a pet's health and fitness for travel. As of 2025, reliance on outdated forms like the APHIS 7001 is quickly disappearing.
What Is a CVI and Why Does It Matter?
A CVI, also known as a health certificate, verifies that an animal has been examined by a licensed and accredited veterinarian and is free from signs of infectious disease. State animal health authorities typically require these certificates before an animal can legally enter or be transported through a state.
The Decline of the APHIS 7001 Form
The USDA introduced the APHIS 7001 form in the 1980s as a standardized paper-based health certificate. However, it was never intended to be a permanent solution. Over the years, the form became widely downloadable and easily misused. This prompted many states to stop accepting the APHIS 7001, citing major concerns:
- It lacks a unique identifier, making tracking or verifying difficult.
- It can be downloaded and completed by anyone, not just veterinarians.
- It is prone to fraud, including forged veterinary signatures.
As of 2025, a growing majority of U.S. states no longer accept the APHIS 7001 for companion animal movement. Additionally, several others are currently reviewing their regulations to restrict or ban its use.
As of May 22, 2025, these states no longer accept APHIS 7001 forms for small animal movement.
Why Secure, Digital CVIs Are Now the Standard
The shift away from paper forms is about more than just compliance. It improves public safety, animal welfare, and administrative efficiency. Digital CVIs offer several advantages:
- Each certificate includes a unique identifier for better traceability.
- Only licensed, accredited veterinarians can issue certificates through secure platforms.
- State-specific requirements are automatically applied to ensure accuracy.
- Certificates can be shared instantly with clients and state authorities.
These improvements are especially important for tracking animal movement during disease outbreaks, rescue efforts, or emergency situations.
How Veterinarians Can Stay Compliant
Veterinarians who are still using the 7001 form or similar outdated methods should begin transitioning to modern digital solutions. An ideal CVI platform should include:
- Built-in state requirement validation
- Instant submission to state animal health officials
- 24/7 digital access for clients
- Auto-filled client and patient information
- Responsive customer support
A Trusted Platform for Modern CVIs
GlobalVetLink’s platform is built for compliance and simplicity. At the heart of this system is SmartEngine, an intelligent rules engine that dynamically checks and validates movement regulations based on species, destination, and purpose. It eliminates the need to consult outside sources, reducing errors and saving time during certificate creation.
In addition, SmartCert Technology adds another layer of assurance. This proprietary technology ensures that every certificate generated through the GVL platform is:
- Securely created and stored
- Automatically validated against regulatory rules
- Traceable and uniquely identified
- Instantly accessible to clients via MyVetLink
GlobalVetLink gives both veterinarians and state officials peace of mind, knowing that each CVI meets the necessary requirements for legal and safe animal movement.
The Future of Small Animal Movement
Phasing out the APHIS 7001 form is a significant step forward for the veterinary industry. Secure and reliable CVI systems protect public health, reduce fraud, and streamline veterinary workflows. With more states tightening regulations, switching to digital CVIs is no longer optional for many veterinarians.
Ready to Upgrade?
Veterinarians interested in a secure, compliant, and easy-to-use solution should get started with GVL. The platform makes it simple to modernize certificate workflows and provide clients with a smooth experience.