The United States Implements New Rules for Dogs Entering the Country
Effective from August, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Updates Dog Importation Regulations
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced updated regulations for bringing dogs into the United States, aiming to protect the country from canine rabies. These rules, which will go into effect from August 1, require all dogs entering the US to appear healthy, be at least 6 months old, be microchipped, and accompanied by a “CDC Dog Import Form” receipt that was filled out online two to ten days before arrival. The tightened regulations are applicable to all dogs, including service dogs and those returned from another country, irrespective of their place of birth.
High Safety Standards Introduced to Prevent the Reintroduction of Dog Rabies
Since the eradication of dog rabies in the United States in 2007, the virus remains endemic in over 100 countries. Unvaccinated dogs are at risk of contracting the disease from wildlife. While rabies is predominantly found in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes in the US, it remains a major concern in some parts of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America, particularly in the dog population. The introduction of these new regulations is the CDC’s effort to maintain dog rabies elimination and protect public health.
The Importation and Vaccination Requirements
According to the CDC’s new regulations, any dog entering the United States from countries with a high risk of dog rabies must be protected against rabies itself. Moreover, the CDC emphasizes that health certificates, rabies vaccinations, and microchips are necessary. Additionally, the CDC suggests that titers, which check for antibodies in the dog’s blood after vaccination, may be required prior to US arrival. As long as the dog remains up to date on rabies booster shots, the rabies titers are considered valid for the dog’s lifetime.
“DogBot” – A Tool to Determine Requirements for Dog Importations
The CDC encourages dog owners to use their new digital tool called “DogBot” on their website. This personalized question-and-answer tool assists dog owners in determining the specific regulations that apply to their dogs based on travel dates, country of departure, and vaccination status. This innovative tool allows proper planning for future travel, ensuring that all the necessary requirements for importing dogs are met and complied with when the dogs arrive in the United States.
The Response and Support for the New Rules
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) provides its support for the CDC’s efforts to improve dog importation standards and welcomes the implementation of the new rules. Dr. Rena Carlson, the President of the AVMA, stated, “The AVMA continues to support the CDC’s efforts to improve dog importation standards and is pleased to see the implementation of this new rule that will help protect public health and positively impact canine health and welfare.”
CDC spokesperson David Daigle, when the rules were proposed last year, emphasized that the updates aim to protect public health and prevent the reintroduction of dog rabies into the United States. In addition, the CDC expects these updated regulations to establish a more efficient importation system, reducing fraudulent activities and improving the government’s ability to verify compliance with US entry requirements for imported dogs.
