On August 1, 2024, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will implement new restrictions and requirements for the entry of dogs into the U.S. Anyone planning to bring a dog into the U.S. in the near future should familiarize themselves with upcoming import policy changes.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes the serious health threats posed by the recent, continuing import of unhealthy dogs using fraudulent veterinary/import paperwork, and supports CDC’s intention of protecting the public from serious health risks.
However, AKC remains concerned that banning the import of all dogs younger than six months is overly burdensome and will have a disproportionate impact on the entry/importation of low-risk, personally-owned dogs, including those that regularly cross the U.S.-Canadian border for canine events, veterinary care, and breeder collaboration.
What You Can Do
AKC is pleased that some members of Congress, as well as other responsible sporting dog organizations, share this concern and are asking CDC to delay implementation of this rule for at least six months, so that possible exceptions for low-risk, personally-owned dogs may be considered.
If you have concerns about the new import rule, we encourage you to contact your members of the U.S. House and Senate, and the CDC. Respectfully express your concerns and ask for a delay in implementing the new rule so that concerns relating to personally-owned, low-risk canine imports/entry can be addressed.
Congressional outreach is particularly valuable if you live in states that are close to the U.S./Canada border, as many of these members are in direct contact with the CDC regarding this issue.
- Share messages in personalized, individual emails, calls, or letters in which you represent your own situation or that of your club.
- Tell your story about how it negatively impacts you and your colleagues, events, etc., as responsible dog enthusiasts.
- Ask the CDC to work with the American Kennel Club and other organizations that represent responsible dog owners to consider exceptions for personally-owned dogs that can affirmatively demonstrate little risk of canine rabies.
Other points you may wish to include:
- The final rule disregards the difference in risk profiles for personally-owned pets and dogs intended for transfer.
- The proposed rule for comment included exceptions, potentially reducing comment, but the final rule provided no exceptions.
- There is little risk from fully vaccinated puppies from low-risk countries entering the U.S. at four months of age.
For additional information, please review:
- AKC one-page fact sheet: Understanding CDC’s New Rule for Bringing Dogs into the United States (double sided)
- AKC four-page fact sheet: Understanding CDC’s New Rule for Bringing Dogs into the United States
- AKC’s July 17, 2024, joint letter with the Canadian Kennel Club to CDC, regarding dog imports.
To find out who represents you in Congress, visit: www.akcgr.org/officials/
To contact the CDC for specific inquiries or to express concerns, call (404) 498-1600 or email cdcanimalimports@cdc.gov. More information about the rule is available at www.cdc.gov/dogtravel.
If you can, please also share your messages and any responses with the AKC Government Relations team at doglaw@akc.org. We will use these messages for reference as we continue to reach out directly to Members of Congress and the CDC.
Your respectful outreach can lay a foundation for cooperation between responsible dog owners and government agencies to protect both public health and canine travel.
Thank you.