California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones has granted a 24-hour permit clearing all brand inspection and health requirements for nine reindeer scheduled to visit California on the evening of Dec. 24 and in the early morning hours of Dec. 25.

The permit application was filed in person by a rotund, jolly man with a red suit and a white beard. The signature on the paperwork reads “K. Kringle.”

Brand inspections and health requirements help veterinarians prevent the spread of animal disease.  The law also mandates that all animals entering California be individually identified. The nine reindeer named on the permit are: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen and Rudolph.

The permit was granted with two conditions: the nine reindeer may not co-mingle with other reindeer in the state of California, and the visiting reindeer may not be used for breeding purposes while in the state.

“It is our pleasure to issue the permit to Mr. Kringle and do our part to ensure another successful trip,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “While he was filling out the permit form, we did mention that California’s farmers have been quite good this year despite the drought, so we thought a few extra snow storms would be a nice gift. We wished him safe travels and plenty of milk and cookies as he and his reindeer make deliveries to the good children of California.”