Starting August 1, 2024, the new rules from the CDC will go into effect.
This will make sending our rescue dogs up north considerably more challenging.
CDC issues regulations to control the entry of dogs into the United States from other countries. These rules apply to all dogs, including puppies, service animals, and dogs that left the United States and are returning. They also apply whether you are a U.S. citizen, legal U.S. resident, or foreign national.
If you don’t follow CDC’s rules, your dog won’t be allowed to enter the United States. If denied entry, your dog will be sent back to the last country of departure at your expense. The country of departure is where the last trip originated—not where the dog was born or where it lives.
Requirements for all dogs
All dogs must:
- Be at least 6 months of age at the time of entry or return to the United States
- Have an implanted International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip
- This must have been implanted before any required rabies vaccination
- The microchip number must be documented on all required forms and in all accompanying veterinary records
- Appear healthy upon arrival
- Dogs may not enter the United States if they are carrying a disease contagious to people.
- Isolation of the dog, veterinary examination, and additional testing, at the importer’s expense, may be required to determine if the dog has a contagious disease and prevent spread if the dog does not appear healthy upon arrival.
- Have a CDC Dog Import Form Receipt
This form should be filled out online ideally 2-10 days before arrival; however, it can also be completed right before travel (even in line at the border crossing) if you have internet access. If the information on the form changes before the dog arrives, you must submit a new form and indicate you are making changes to an existing form. All information, including port of entry where the dog is arriving, must be correct at time of arrival.- This form requires you to upload a clear photograph of the dog showing its face and body. Dogs that will be less than one year of age at time of arrival should have the photograph taken within 10 days before arrival.
- There is no charge to importers for submitting this form.
- Have additional documentation which varies depending on where the dog has been in the 6 months before entering or returning to the United States, or if the dog has a current rabies vaccine administered in the United States
- Additional requirements for dogs with a current rabies vaccination administered in the United States
- Additional requirements for dogs that have been in a country at high-risk for dog rabies within the 6 months before entry and do NOT have appropriate documentation of current US-issued rabies vaccine
- Additional requirements for dogs that have been ONLY in countries that are dog rabies-free or low-risk in the 6 months before entry
Dogs that do not meet all entry requirements or do not have accurate and valid forms will be denied entry to the United States and returned to the country of departure at the importer’s expense. These requirements apply to all dogs, including service dogs and dogs that were born in the United States.
| 60 days before travel out of the United States | If traveling by air, present the following to the airline before boarding your dog: CDC Dog Import Form receipt andCertification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form or USDA APHIS-endorsed export health certificateArrive at the location on CDC Dog Import Form receipt present the following to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer: CDC Dog Import Form receipt andCertification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form or USDA APHIS-endorsed export health certificate |
| 30 days before travel out of the United States | Verify dog will be at least 6 months old on day of travel back to the United States.Get your pet microchipped or have your veterinarian verify their microchip number. Make sure the microchip number is listed on all veterinary records.Visit veterinarian to get your dog their rabies vaccination (or booster) before travel. Your dog must be at least 12 weeks (84 days) old when it gets its first rabies vaccination.Make sure your dog’s rabies vaccination will be valid (not expired) for the entire duration of travel. |
| 2-10 days before travel back to the United States | Contact your veterinarian to have them complete either: the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form, orthe USDA endorsed export health certificate if your dog will be only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries and will return from the country listed on the certificate or that documents a valid rabies vaccination issued in the United States (if your dog will be in a high-risk country, this option is available during the transition period) |
| Day of travel back to the United States | If traveling by air, present the following to the airline before boarding your dog: CDC Dog Import Form receipt and Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form or USDA APHIS-endorsed export health certificateArrive at the location on CDC Dog Import Form receipt present the following to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer: CDC Dog Import Form receipt andCertification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form or USDA APHIS-endorsed export health certificate |
For more information here is the link : Bringing a Dog into the United States | Bringing an Animal into U.S. | Importation | CDC
