American Kennel Club Government Relations (AKC GR) staff have met with staff of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as key members of Congress to discuss the CDC’s recently finalized rule on the importation of dogs. AKC continues to be concerned with the disproportionate impact the new rule will have on low-risk importations, and shares in the concerns of fanciers and breeders who regularly cross the U.S.-Canadian border for canine event participation, veterinary care, and breeder collaboration. Nevertheless, AKC believes the most efficient means of achieving additional regulatory change is by working with CDC staff to share concerns, keeping members of Congress informed, and helping craft solutions that will address the concerns. AKC extends sincere thanks to CDC and Congressional staff for their time and consideration of these concerns. Click here to learn what you can do.
Because of the amount and volume of concern shared by dog owners or other importers (like professional handlers) who regularly cross the U.S.-Canadian border, CDC staff summarized what will be needed to import a dog from Canada (and any other canine rabies-free or low-risk country):
- Dog must be at least six months old;
- Dog must have an ISO-compatible microchip;
- CDC Dog Import Form (See more below.)
- A government-endorsed written form documenting that the dog has resided or otherwise been only in countries that are classified as free of canine rabies or low-risk for canine rabies. (See more below.)
- Dog must appear healthy upon arrival.
About the CDC Dog Import Form
There has been much worry shared with AKC and CDC about the CDC Dog Import Form, particularly since it has not yet been made publicly available. CDC staff explained that the form appears similar to another form they currently use, and they remain concerned that releasing it will create confusion about what form is needed on what date. CDC plans to release the new form in mid-July to best reduce the chances of confusion and allow access for upcoming importations.
CDC staff made several points about its new Dog Import Form:
- There is no cost for submitting the form.
- The form will take approximately five minutes to complete.
- A completed form/receipt may be printed or made available on a mobile device.
- A photo of the dog to be imported is a required part of the form.
- The dog’s microchip number is also a required part of the form.
- The form must include the location where the dog will cross into the United States, which can be any airport, land border crossing, or seaport.
- A successfully submitted form is valid throughout the day it is submitted for. In cases of multiple land border crossings in a day, submitting multiple forms will not be required.
- A dog must arrive at the location listed on the Dog Import Form receipt to complete the importation.
CDC staff also emphasized that the Dog Import Form will be the tool used to learn the actual number of dogs imported into the United States. This is of great importance, as the actual number of importations has only been estimated in the past. Additionally, the form will help CDC understand additional regulatory needs and possible future exceptions to the new rule.
About Government-Issued Documentation That a Dog Has Only Been in Canine Rabies-Free or Low-Risk Countries
CDC emphasized that several of the forms that may be submitted may be valid for the same amount of time that a dog’s rabies vaccination is valid (i.e., in the case of three-year vaccines, during that three years). In such cases, owners will not need to complete a new form or health checks for importation during that time as long as the original form is provided upon entry, and as long as the dog has only been in rabies-free or low-risk countries. These forms include:
- The Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination (for live dog re-entry into the United States) This form would need to be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before the dog initially leaves the United States.
- A valid USDA-endorsed export health certificate that documents the dog’s age (at least six months) and microchip number. If the certificate documents a valid (unexpired) rabies vaccination given in the U.S., this form will be valid for the duration of the rabies vaccination (1-3 years).
- If the certificate does not contain rabies vaccination information, it must list the rabies-free or low-risk country from which the dog is returning. Under this circumstance, the certificate will only be valid for 30 days.
- Or for dogs that do not have either of the above, the Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-risk Country form (instructions). This may be the most convenient option for Canadian owners and fanciers. This form will be valid for multiple entries into the U.S. for the duration the rabies vaccination is valid (1-3 years) if it contains information about the rabies vaccination administered in a rabies-free or low-risk country.
- If this form does not contain rabies vaccination information, it will be valid for a single entry into the U.S. and only for the 30 days after the form was issued.
AKC Reiterated Strong Concerns with the Increase in the Minimum Age for Importation
AKC staff challenged the increase in the minimum age a dog may be imported. AKC suggested that there is real value in allowing the importation of puppies at four months of age, if fully vaccinated and having only been in a rabies-free or low-risk country. These benefits include puppies bonding with new owners, training, and veterinary care. AKC reiterated that allowing the importation of these personally owned puppies (which is still permitted until August 1, 2024) has not proved to present an increased risk in disease introduction or transmission.
CDC staff noted AKC’s concerns. CDC also spoke to two importation problems it continues to deal with: Unscrupulous importers that try to falsify health paperwork (which they continue to see attempted on a daily basis), and that it currently has no way to distinguish the importation of personally owned dogs from the importation of dogs imported for commercial reasons. However, CDC also expressed their openness to hearing ideas on adjustments to the rule that may be needed, and recognized that there are more issues that may need to be discussed.
The new import/entry requirements will go into effect as scheduled, on August 1, 2024. However, respectful communication with CDC and your members of Congress will play an important role potential future exceptions or enforcement flexibility. Click here to help impact future policy changes.
The best source for the latest information from CDC on dog importation is the CDC’s online resources at www.cdc.gov/dogtravel. CDC staff may be reached at (404) 498-1600, or at cdcanimalimports@cdc.gov.
As new information is made available, AKC GR will continue to provide updates on how the new importation rule will be enforced. For more information, email doglaw@akc.org.