Yesterday (July 22, 2024), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provided an update to related to new CDC requirements effective August 1 for importing or traveling into the United States with a dog older than 6 months of age.
The revisions to the rule no longer require an additional rabies vaccination form certified by a USDA-accredited veterinarian or an official government veterinarian in the exporting country. Instead, for dogs entering the U.S. from low-risk or dog-maintained rabies virus variant (DMRVV)-free countries like Canada, the revised rule simplifies entry by requiring one form—the CDC Dog Import Form—that does not have to be endorsed by a veterinarian. This form requires the dog’s microchip number, a picture, and an attestation that the dog has not been in a high-risk country in the past six months.
Additionally, instead of making travelers update this form for every entry, it will now be valid for six months. However, CDC will continue to require all dogs entering the U.S. to be at least six-months old and be microchipped.
“To provide greater flexibility to the requirements for dogs coming from dog rabies-free or low-risk countries, when the rule goes into effect on August 1, 2024…, dogs that have spent the prior six months only in dog rabies-free or low-risk rabies countries will be able to enter the United States with a CDC Import Form online submission receipt as acceptable documentation.
This form can be filled out the day of travel and the receipt can be shown to airlines and border officials as a printed copy or by phone. The receipt will be good for travel into the U.S. for six months from the date of issuance, including multiple entries.
All dogs entering the United States must have a microchip and be over six months of age.”
The online CDC Dog Import Form, and other information regarding bringing dogs into the United States from low-risk countries may be found on the CDC website.
AKC continues to be concerned with the disproportionate impacts the new rule will have on low-risk importations for dogs between 4 and 6 months of age. We urge you to send respectful comments to CDC and your members of Congress regarding this issue. Read AKC’s previous alert for talking points and more information on how to contact them regarding this issue.
For questions and concerns regarding the new CDC rule, contact CDC directly:
(404) 498-1600 or cdcanimalimports@cdc.gov.
AKC Government Relations will continue to provide updates and information as it becomes available.