Today, Thursday, August 1, 2024, new rules for the importation of dogs into the United States have gone into effect.
HISTORY
In July 2023, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) proposed new rules to address the public health risk of dog-maintained rabies virus variant (aka, canine rabies) associated with the importation of dogs into the U.S. In addition to issuing multiple calls to action for all dog owners, the American Kennel Club (AKC) submitted a formal comment in September 2023 to CDC, urging it to retain its policy allowing personally-owned dogs that have not spent time in countries classified as high-risk or restricted for canine rabies to be imported into the U.S. younger than six months of age if they met health and vaccination requirements.
On May 8, 2024, CDC released a letter to stakeholders advising of coming changes to the rules pertaining to the importation of dogs and cats into the U.S. The text of the final rule was published in the Federal Register on May 13, 2024.
Since then, many concerned purebred dog owners, enthusiasts, and sportsmen, along with airlines and groups that import rescue dogs from foreign countries, have expressed deep concerns with the impact the new rules will have. This feedback has resulted in changes to how the new rules’ requirements will be enforced.
UPDATES ON THE CDC DOG IMPORT FORM
To provide greater flexibility to the requirements for dogs coming from canine rabies-free or low-risk countries, dogs that have spent the prior six months only in canine rabies-free or low-risk countries will be able to enter the U.S. with a CDC Dog Import Form online submission receipt as acceptable documentation. This form can be filled out the day travel, and the receipt can be shown to airlines and border officials by phone or printed copy. For these dogs, the receipt will be good for travel into the U.S. for six months from the date of issuance, including multiple entries into the U.S. However, all dogs entered the U.S. must have a microchip and be over six months of age.
In a recent discussion with AKC staff, CDC staff clarified that for dogs that have not been in a canine rabies high-risk country in the six months prior to importation, the CDC Dog Import Form does not require the importer to provide a photo of the dog or its microchip number. However, both CDC and AKC recommend that importers of these dogs travel with a digital or printed copy of their dog’s vaccination record, a photo of their dog, and a record of the dog’s microchip number as a precautionary measure. It should be noted that some U.S. states may also require this or similar information.
For dogs that spent any time in a country classified as high-risk for canine rabies in the six months before entering the U.S., additional documents and requirements remain in effect. For these dogs, the CDC Dog Import Form will require the dog’s microchip number and photo.
REQUIREMENTS, BY TYPE OF IMPORTATION
All dogs being imported into the U.S. must:
- Appear healthy upon arrival.
- Be at least six months old at the time of entry or return to the U.S.
- Have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner to identify them.
- Be accompanied by a receipt for a CDC Dog Import Form.
Additional requirements may be required by CDC, depending on the type of importation. For:
- Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low Risk Countries, click here.
- S.-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, click here.
- Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, click here.
For dogs arriving in the U.S. by air and that traveled in-cabin, airlines are now required to generate air waybills. This requirement is the same as has been required of dogs arriving in the U.S. by air but that were flown as cargo. Airlines unable to generate an air waybill for in-cabin dogs due to the time required for technology updates may obtain a temporary waiver by providing the same data to CDC in another format. Anyone travelling with a dog who intends to arrive in the U.S. by air is strongly encouraged to contact their airline to determine and meet requirements prior to arriving at an airport for travel.
CDC staff continues to emphasize that the latest information available to importers is available on its website at www.cdc.gov/dogtravel.
CDC staff also noted that the first nine months of implementation of the new dog importation rules will be an “adaptation” period, during which it will be looking at additional information and program performance to determine reasonableness, feasibility, and potential rule changes.
CONCERNS REMAIN, CONTACT CONGRESS AND CDC
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, training, veterinary care, and breeder collaboration.
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. It is recommended that breed enthusiasts who import personally-owned dogs from canine-rabies free or low-risk countries, or owners who routinely cross a land border with their dog, ask Congress and CDC to eliminate the disproportionate impact that they experience, particularly regarding the requirement that puppies be six months of age for importation.
- 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 continue to work with AKC 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.
To find out who represents you in Congress, visit: www.akcgr.org/officials/.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
First, go to www.cdc.gov/dogtravel for the latest information on CDC’s dog importation requirements.
Then, for specific inquiries or to express concerns, contact CDC at (404) 498-1600 or cdcanimalimports@cdc.gov.
You may also contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org.