Introduction

Why are quality health checks important? The first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses.

There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Some diseases can be spread between animals of different species whereas some diseases can only be spread within animals of the same species. 

Zoonotic diseases are those that can be transmitted between animals and people, and are a considerable health risk for event visitors and exhibitors alike (Conrad et al., 2017). Therefore, certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people.

This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for dogs. In addition, prior to attending an animal exhibition or event, exhibitors can use this resource to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation.

Per the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, "…all animals and poultry entered at fairs and shows must be in good health and in proper physical condition and will be examined at the exhibition by the barn superintendent. Evidence of poor condition or infectious or contagious disease or failure to produce the necessary documents for health certification, vaccination or testing will result in ejection." (2025, p. 1). Certain conditions and observations noted within this fact sheet may not pose a significant public or animal health risk. In such cases, decisions regarding an animal's eligibility for exhibition should be made in consultation with event leadership and/or the on-call veterinarian.

Getting started 

Health checks should be completed right outside the vehicle used for transportation. Do not permit the animal to be walked through the fairgrounds, barns, or venue before confirming its health status; an unhealthy animal can spread disease during this commute.

Wear gloves and change them in between groups of animals and after evaluating an animal with a suspected or confirmed health concern. Follow any additional policies advanced by fair or event leadership and your state’s Department of Agriculture.

Identification

Dogs should comply with all state animal health regulations. In Connecticut, that includes having a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). A rabies vaccine is required for all dogs over three months of age. A DAHLP+B (Distemper, Adenovirus, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, Bordetella) vaccine is also highly recommended by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, but not required. 

In addition to proof of rabies vaccination, dogs must also be licensed and wear a collar that includes the annual license tag, which is considered the official identification for the animal (Connecticut Department of Agriculture, 2025).

General Appearance

The dog should be alert and react to stimuli. Energy levels should be normal and the animal should not exhibit any signs of stress, fatigue, or respiratory issues, including excessive panting. 

Gently pinch the skin to evaluate hydration; the skin should bounce back to normal shortly after you release the skin. The animal should bear weight evenly on all legs and not display any signs of limping or broken bones/injuries. 

The exterior of the animal should be free from abscesses (accumulation of pus), infections, open wounds, hair/fiber loss, signs of skin flaking, ringworm, or external parasites. Body condition score may also be used to evaluate the health of the animal; specific rejection criteria should be determined by event leadership.

Nose, eyes, and mouth

The nose of the dog should be free of discharge and should be sufficiently moist. The eyes should be evaluated for any abnormalities, including clouding, redness, abnormal blinking, sensitivity to light, and discharge.

The mouth and teeth can be inspected for decay, accumulation of tartar, and odor indicating infection or poor health. Gums should be pink; bleeding, inflammation, and redness may indicate infection. However, dental disease and oral infections are generally not considered contagious and therefore may not necessarily disqualify a dog from participating in a public event, depending on event policy. 

Skin and coat

Check the coat for external parasites, including fleas and ticks. The coat should be clean without any signs of hair loss, matting, flaking of the skin, or inflammation. Furthermore, the dog should not exhibit excessive scratching or licking of the skin or fur. 

Rear end

Bitches should not be in heat. There should be no unusual discharge from the vulva. The anal area should be free of redness, inflammation, and signs of scooting or extreme licking.

Paws and legs

Nails should be well-maintained at an appropriate length, with no signs of injury. Inspect the paws for wounds, infections, and pain. When walking, the dog should not show signs of lameness or any mobility issues associated with joint pain or stiffness. 

Safety Precautions When Performing Health Checks

Conducting animal health checks can expose you to physical and biological risks. Always take caution when working with and around animals that you are unfamiliar with. Ask the exhibitor to assist you while handling the animal, especially while checking challenging areas like the feet and mouth. 

Wear clean gloves and change them between dogs originating from different households/kennels or when a potentially contagious animal is touched. Wear a pair of shoes that you dedicate to events and other off-operation activities and disinfect them afterwards so that you do not track home any contaminated material. Disposable boot covers and/or boot washes can also be used. 

Consider changing your clothes after completing health checks, especially if they have been soiled by feces and fluids like saliva, or if you encounter an animal exhibiting signs of illness. Wipe down any equipment such as flashlights or radios between assessments on animals that are not housed together.

What To Do If  There Are Questions Or Concerns Regarding An Animal’s Health

As an animal exhibition or event decision-maker, you have a responsibility to ensure that all animals exhibited are healthy and will not pose risks to other animals or people. If you do encounter an animal that is demonstrating one or more signs of illness, the animal should not be permitted to enter the grounds or to be exhibited and should be separated from other animals immediately. The diseases of concern are often contagious. 

Politely explain, in detail, why the animal cannot be allowed to participate, and recommend that the owner contact their veterinarian to address the issue. Animals that do not pass health checks should be returned home; they should not be allowed to stay in a trailer during the event. 

If you encounter difficulties communicating with the animal handler, or if they become hostile, ask an event organizer/leader for assistance. Although this conversation can be awkward and uncomfortable, it is necessary to keep people and animals healthy and safe.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express appreciation to members of the UConn Extension BE SAFE: Biosecurity Education to Safeguard Animals at Fairs and Events Team for assistance in conceptualizing this fact sheet. In addition to the authors, members of the BE SAFE Team include Maryann Fusco-Rollins, Emily Alger, and Bonnie Burr.  The BE SAFE Project and this fact sheet are supported by Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement. Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement supports programs, projects and events that are intended to strengthen Northeast agriculture, commercial fishing and forest products. This program is a combined effort of Farm Credit East and CoBank.

Resources

Connecticut Department of Agriculture. (2025). 2025 Connecticut Fair and Show Requirements. https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/doag/state-vet/2025/2025-ct-fair-requirements-update-42525_final-rem.pdf?rev=0f42b47c4ef049a1a90922af5c2df570 

Conrad, C. C., Stanford, K., Narvaez-Bravo, C., Callaway, T., & McAllister, T. (2017). Farm Fairs and Petting Zoos: A Review of Animal Contact as a Source of Zoonotic Enteric Disease. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, 14(2), 59–73. https://doi.org/10.1089/fpd.2016.2185 

Michigan State University Extension. (2019, July 30). Animal Check-In. https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/animal-check-in 

Sawchyn, L. D. (2021). The 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. AAHA Images. aaha.org/nutrition.