The United States is implementing new rules for bringing dogs into the country, set to take effect on August 1. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced updates to regulations aimed at preventing the introduction of canine rabies into the country.
Under the tightened rules, all dogs entering the US must be at least 6 months old, appear healthy upon arrival, be microchipped, and be accompanied by a 'CDC Dog Import Form' receipt filled out online two to 10 days before entry. These requirements apply to all dogs, including service animals and those returning from abroad.
Current 'CDC Dog Import' permits will expire on August 31, with additional requirements potentially based on the dog's travel history and vaccination status. The CDC website provides travel checklists for both US-vaccinated dogs and those vaccinated in high-risk countries.
While dog rabies was eradicated in the US in 2007, it remains prevalent in over 100 countries. Unvaccinated dogs can contract the disease from wildlife, with rabies primarily found in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes in the US. However, regions in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America still face significant challenges with rabies in dogs.
Dogs arriving from high-risk rabies countries must be vaccinated against the disease, with potential requirements for blood serology tests to check for rabies antibodies post-vaccination. The CDC emphasizes the importance of keeping dogs' rabies vaccinations up to date to ensure compliance with importation rules.
If titer results are unavailable upon arrival, dogs may face a 28-day quarantine until the necessary documentation is provided. The CDC recommends using their 'DogBot' tool on their website to determine specific requirements based on travel dates and vaccination history.
While some critics view the new regulations as excessive, the American Veterinary Medical Association supports the CDC's efforts to enhance dog importation standards for public health and canine welfare. These updates aim to prevent the reintroduction of dog rabies into the US and establish a more robust importation system to verify compliance with entry requirements.
