10/05/2024
New CDC Dog Importation Rules Coming August 1, 2024
Dear CKC Members,
To protect the health and safety of people and animals and prevent the reintroduction and spread of dog-maintained rabies virus variant (DMRVV) in the United States, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced changes to the requirements for the importation of cats and dogs into the United States, effective August 1, 2024.
While CKC recognizes the need to reduce the risk of bringing rabies into the US, we understand that these regulatory barriers will unduly impact many responsible CKC members, such as those who work with US counterparts to diversify breeding programs, travel to the US to compete in shows, utilize US veterinary services, and provide puppies to US citizens. Given the seriousness of this impact, we are in contact with the American Kennel Club Government Relations team and other stakeholders to gather additional information, as well as explore whether there are ways we could advocate together, on behalf of our members to ensure that your interests are well represented.
CDC first implemented the temporary suspension of dogs into the US from DMRVV high-risk countries in July 2021 and most recently expanded the requirements to standardize the dog importation process in the US.
The new regulation states that all dogs imported into the US must meet the following requirements (Including dogs returning from the US after travelling abroad):
Be healthy upon arrival
Be at least 6 months of age
Have an ISO-compatible microchip (implanted prior to any required rabies vaccinations)
Have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt
Have additional documents depending on where the dog has been in the last 6 months and whether or not the dog was vaccinated in the United States.
Additional requirements will be needed for dogs imported from countries designated as high-risk for DMRVV (canine rabies). These requirements may include arriving at a port with a CDC-registered animal care facility (ACF), an appointment with an ACF prior to import, and quarantine.
The purpose of CDC’s new rule (as they have stated) includes:
Preventing the reintroduction and spread of dog-maintained rabies virus variant (DMRVV) in the United States
Aligning with the World Organisation for Animal Health’s standards for the international movement of dogs from countries determined to be a high-risk for dog rabies
Preventing and deterring the importation of dogs with falsified or fraudulent rabies vaccine documentation and importers from circumventing dog import regulations
Supporting CDC’s efforts to improve data collection related to dog importation, including tracking the total number of dog importations
You may view the complete CDC rule on the Control of Communicable Diseases: Foreign Quarantine: Importation of Dogs and Cats via the Federal Register here. For more information, please visit: www.cdc.gov/dogtravel, which includes Frequently Asked Questions. If you have questions specific to your personal circumstance, please contact CDC at [email protected].
We will continue to work with the American Kennel Club and other partners in the coming weeks on this important development and will provide a further update as more information becomes available.
Sincerely,
The CKC Advocacy Team
