If you frequently travel with your dog in and out of the United States, you’ll need to be prepared for the latest federal importation regulations for dogs entering and reentering the country. The new regulations, set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), went into effect on August 1, 2024, and offer new guidance on what pet owners need to do when bringing a dog into the U.S.
These updates are part of the CDC's ongoing efforts to prevent the reintroduction of dog rabies into the U.S., ensuring the safety of both pets and people. Therefore, it’s incredibly important for pet owners to be up to date on them.
Understanding the New Requirements
The steps you'll need to follow for bringing a dog into the U.S. depend on where your dog has been in the past six months. As a part of the CDC’s efforts to reduce further introduction of rabies to people and animals in the United States, they have identified over 100 countries considered high-risk areas for rabies exposure. If your dog has traveled to any of the high-risk areas identified by the CDC, you’ll need to take a few extra steps to ensure your dog is healthy and well-documented before you can enter the country.
The CDC has simplified the process for dogs arriving from dog rabies-free or low-risk countries, but essential details remain. We’ll review everything required for both cases of bringing dogs into the U.S.
Dogs from Dog Rabies-Free or Low-Risk Countries
The process is straightforward if your dog has been in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries for the past six months. You'll need to complete the CDC Dog Import Form online. This form is the only requirement and should take just a few minutes to complete. Once submitted, you'll receive a receipt valid for six months.
- Multiple Entries: The receipt can be used for multiple entries into the U.S. as long as your dog hasn’t traveled to a high-risk country within the last six months.
- Form Validity: If your dog travels frequently between the U.S. and another low-risk country, like Canada, the same form can be used multiple times until the receipt expires. However, if your dog visits a different country within that time, you’ll need to complete a new form.
- Health and Age Requirements: Your dog must appear healthy upon arrival, be at least six months old, and have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner.
Dogs from High-Risk Countries
If your dog has been in a high-risk country for rabies in the last six months, the process involves a bit more documentation to ensure it’s safe for them to reenter the country:
- CDC Dog Import Form Receipt: As with dogs from low-risk countries, you must complete the CDC Dog Import Form.
- Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination or USDA-Endorsed Health Certificate: This form must be filled out by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA.
In addition to these forms, your dog must meet the other entry requirements, including being healthy, at least six months old, and microchipped before receiving its rabies vaccine. The microchip number must be included on all required forms to be valid.
What If Your Dog Isn’t Vaccinated?
If your dog has been in a high-risk country and is not vaccinated against rabies, they will not be allowed to enter the United States. This strict rule underscores the CDC’s commitment to preventing the spread of rabies.
Regarding vaccines, the rabies vaccine is one of the most important. There should never be an instance where your dog is left unvaccinated. Vaccinating against rabies is important not only for your dog’s health and safety but also for the health and safety of every other human and animal they come into contact with.
Compliance with Additional Regulations
In addition to the CDC requirements, you must comply with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) and your U.S. destination's regulations. Be aware that dogs imported for commercial purposes, such as resale, have additional USDA requirements that you’ll need to meet outside of those set forth by the CDC.
United States Dog Importation Checklist
By the new CDC regulations for dog importation, as of August 1, 2024, all dogs entering the United States must:
- Appear healthy upon arrival
- Be at least six months of age
- Be microchipped
- Be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form online submission receipt
Frequently Asked Questions About Bringing a Dog into the United States
What Documents Do I Need to Bring My Dog Into the USA?
To bring your dog into the USA, you'll need the following documents:
- Rabies Vaccination Certificate: Your dog must have a valid rabies vaccination certificate. A licensed veterinarian must issue this certificate and include details such as the date of vaccination, vaccine manufacturer, and vaccine lot number.
- Health Certificate: Some airlines and states require a health certificate, which a veterinarian issues within a certain number of days before travel. This document confirms your dog is healthy and fit to travel.
- CDC Dog Import Permit: If your dog comes from a high-risk country for rabies, you'll need a CDC Dog Import Permit.
- Microchip Information: Dogs from high-risk countries must be microchipped, and the microchip number must be included on the rabies vaccination certificate.
What Is a CDC Dog Import Permit?
A CDC Dog Import Permit is a special authorization issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that allows you to bring a dog into the United States from a country considered high-risk for rabies. This permit is necessary to ensure that all dogs entering the U.S. are free from rabies, helping to prevent the disease's reintroduction.
Where Can I Find the CDC Dog Import Form?
The CDC Dog Import Form, which you’ll need to apply for a Dog Import Permit, can be found on the CDC’s official website. The application process is done online, and you should submit it at least 30 business days before you travel to ensure it’s processed in time.
How Can I Bring My Dog Into the United States?
To bring your dog into the United States:
- Determine the Rabies Risk Level: First, determine if your country is considered high-risk, low-risk, or rabies-free.
- Meet Vaccination Requirements: Ensure your dog is up-to-date on rabies vaccinations. Dogs from high-risk countries must also undergo a rabies titer test at an approved laboratory.
- Obtain Necessary Documents: Gather all required documentation, including a rabies vaccination certificate, health certificate, and, if applicable, a CDC Dog Import Permit.
- Book Your Travel: If traveling by air, contact your airline to confirm pet travel policies and ensure your dog meets their requirements.
- Entry at U.S. Ports: Upon arrival, present your documents to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. Dogs from high-risk countries will be inspected, and if they don't meet the requirements, they may be denied entry or quarantined. There may be additional restrictions based on how you choose to travel with your dog; be sure to double-check what points of entry you can utilize before booking your trip.
Is there a Limit on Bringing Dogs Into the United States?
There is no specific limit on the number of dogs you can bring into the United States. However, each dog must meet all CDC requirements, and you must have all the necessary documents for each dog. Additionally, if you plan to import more than five dogs from a high-risk country, you must enter the U.S. at a port of entry with a live animal care facility.
Wrapping Up the Latest CDC Dog Importation Regulations
The new regulations emphasize the importance of safeguarding public health by preventing the reintroduction of dog rabies into the United States. Whether your dog is traveling from a low-risk or high-risk country, following these steps will ensure a smooth entry into the U.S.
For pet owners, staying informed and prepared is critical. Complete all necessary forms, adhere to vaccination requirements, and keep your dog’s health documentation up to date. Doing so will help protect your pet, family, and community.
If you have questions and want to contact us regarding traveling with your pets in or out of the United States, you can call us directly at 734-453-0485 or email us at [email protected].