UPDATE: CDC Updates Dog Importation Process – as of July 22nd
Due to the overwhelming feedback provided to the CDC over the last few weeks, they decided to update and simplify the process as long as they are not been to or coming from a high-risk rabies country in the last 6 months. List of high risk countries. Previously every dog had to go through the rigorous Rabies certification from a USDA-accredited veterinarian, moving forward that is only necessary for dogs traveling from High Risk Countries.
The new simplified travel requirements CDC Media Release:
- Dogs must appear healthy upon arrival
- Dogs must be at least 6 months old at the time of entry or return to the U.S.
- Dogs must have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner to identify them.
- Owner must complete the CDC Dog Import Form that will be good for multiple border crossings for up to 6 months.
You should always travel with your dog’s up to date and valid rabies vaccination certificate.
If you are traveling from a High-Risk Country with your dog, please reach out to us directly and we will be able to help you begin the process for transport. More information for high-risk countries can be found: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/us-vaccinated-high-risk-countries.html
New CDC Dog Import Requirements: SEE UPDATE ABOVE
Last month the CDC announced new requirements for dogs entering or re-entering the United States that will become effective starting 8/1/2024. While they may seem strict or inconvenient, they are necessary to protect you and your pets. Currently the US has eradicated the Dog-Mediated Rabies Virus Variant (DMRVV). Unfortunately, there has been a significant increase in the cases of dogs with falsified records imported to the US, some of which have subsequently become symptomatic and tested positive for Rabies. So, what are these new regulations and how do they affect your dogs? Please read on, even if you do not have any current plans for travel.
All dogs must:
1 – Be healthy on arrival.
2 – Be at least 6 months old.
3 – Have a 15 digit ISO compliant Microchip implanted on or before receiving their Rabies vaccine and the number must be present on the Rabies Vaccination Certificate. Any Rabies vaccines received prior to microchipping do not count. The first Rabies vaccine received after the microchip will only count as a 1yr vaccination. Given this requirement, we recommend that all dogs be microchipped before or at their next Rabies Vaccination. It is also the best way to ensure you are reunited with you dog if they become lost.
4 – Have an up to date Rabies that is at least 28 days old and not past the 1yr or 3yr expiration. Dogs are not considered fully vaccinated until 28 days after their vaccination in order to give the vaccine time to work. If your dog received a 1yr vaccination and you leave the country shortly after, you cannot bring them back into the US until they are past the 28 day waiting period. Also, if a Rabies vaccination is even 1 day late, it restarts the clock, and will only count as another 1yr vaccine. If your dog is coming due for its Rabies booster, or you plan to travel in the future, please do not delay in making your appointment. Call as soon as you have decided to travel with your pet, so we can help time your appointments appropriately.
5 – Have a Certification of a US-issued Rabies Vaccination Form submitted by an Accredited Veterinarian to the USDA for Endorsement. We can only submit this form for vaccines given by our doctors at NPAH. The Rabies vaccination can be given by any of our doctors; however, the form can only be submitted by our Accredited Veterinarians after reviewing the medical records. If your dog was vaccinated at another hospital, we cannot submit the form. This form will also need the travel history for the past 6 months, which could also affect the eligibility for endorsement. This form will not be available until after 7/15/2024, and there will be a fee for Endorsement. As of right now, we have not seen the form or have been able to confirm the price of endorsement. The form will be good for the duration of the 1yr or 3yr Rabies vaccine.
6 – Have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt from cdc.gov/dogtravel. This form is filled out by the dog owner and requires you to submit a current picture of your dog (less than 10 days old if your dog is under 1 year of age) and submit a copy of the Certification of a US-issued Rabies Vaccination Form (#5 from above). The Import form will be available after 7/15/2024, can be filled out in less than 5 minutes from any location with cell service, and is free to submit. An electronic receipt is generated within minutes of submission, but printing out a copy is recommended if possible. The port of entry listed on the form must match the port of entry of arrival. A new CDC Dog Import Form needs to be filled out every time your dog re-enters the US, even if you are still using the same Certification of a US-issued Rabies Vaccination Form.
As these regulations are very new, we have not been able to review the forms as of yet, will only have limited time to do so before the effective date of 8/1/2024. We do not know how quickly the USDA will be able to Endorse the documents, or how smooth this process will be at the border after it is implemented. If you have plans for traveling later this summer/fall, even if it is to Canada or Mexico, it may be better to make alternative arrangements for your dogs. If they will need to board at a kennel, please make sure that they are up to date on all necessary vaccinations for boarding.
The new laws do not affect cats.
