CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – A major regulatory hurdle is cleared once again as Santa Claus is coming to town, arriving in Charlottesville on Wednesday night with his nine reindeer.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture’s state veterinarian Dr. Charles Broaddus, in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources State Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. John Tracey have both issued permits for Santa Claus to fly his reindeer into and around the Commonwealth.

Because deer are classified as wildlife in Virginia that cannot be domesticated nor imported into the Commonwealth, the VDACS and DWF vets had to work together toward this certification.

“A very important movement of reindeer into Virginia is scheduled to occur on the evening of Dec. 24, and in preparation for that part of the important work my office does is to approve the health permit to allow those reindeer to come into Virginia,” Dr. Broaddus told Cville Right Now.

“Deer are, indeed not allowed to be a farmed species here in Virginia according to Department of Wildlife Resources rules, but certainly for exhibition and things like that and for Santa’s reindeer coming in just a few months is absolutely something we work in coordination with them to allow them to come in for just a quick little visit they make every year,” Dr. Broaddus said.

“Santa’s reindeer look healthy and ready to deliver joy to children across the Commonwealth this Christmas Eve,” he added.

“We thank Santa for being an excellent partner with DWR and VDACS, and we are always glad to see the care and attention he gives to the health of each and every reindeer,” Dr. Tracey said.

Dr. Broaddus presented the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection to Santa Claus in Santa’s Village at the Illuminate Light Show at Meadow Event Park in Doswell.