Jet-setting pooches and their human companions, take note: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has rolled out new entry guidelines for canine travelers that could affect your globetrotting plans. Starting August 1, the process for importing your furry friend will have some notable changes, especially if your journey takes you to countries with a low risk of rabies.
According to an update from the CDC, the process for bringing dogs into the US from dog rabies-free or low-risk countries has been tweaked for clarity and simplicity. This includes, a revised CDC Dog Import Form which can be filled out on the day of travel, and the receipt is valid for six months—covering multiple entries. Still, travelers with pets coming from high-rabies-risk countries will face stricter documentation requirements.
The Houston Chronicle has further elaborated that all dogs must be at least 6 months old and microchipped to be eligible for entry, with their rabies vaccination up to date. "By helping to ensure that dogs coming into the U.S. are rabies free, we're also ensuring the health of our own animal population, both domestic pets and wildlife, and humans," said Dr. Lori Teller, a veterinarian based in the Houston area, in a statement obtained by the Houston Chronicle.
With the rabies threat considered high in countries like India, China, the Dominican Republic, and Turkey, these guidelines aim to block the re-introduction of the virus stateside. The CDC's actionable advice for travelers is to tackle the paperwork well in advance to avoid any last-minute mishaps, ensuring all data, including microchip numbers and vaccination records, is accurately captured on the Dog Import Form. Failure to present this form, which can be shown as a printed copy or digitally on a phone, could mean your dog is denied entry.
This regulatory pinch might feel like a hassle, but the CDC's vigilance is meant to safeguard against a deadly disease that has been largely stamped out in the domestic canine population. "It's important that the CDC changes the regulations around this, particularly around dogs coming from high risk countries, because it is a disease that really is not curable and that has an extremely high risk of death, both in dogs and people," Teller told the Houston Chronicle. For those gunning for globetrotting glory with their four-legged companions, staying ahead of these rules isn’t just recommended, it’s a must.
