If you plan to travel with your pet to or from the United States, you must comply with new regulations recently announced by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to the announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), starting August 1st, all dogs entering the United States, including those exiting and returning to the country, regardless of their origin, must comply with new regulations. Those who do not comply with these regulations will be denied entry.
These new requirements have been established to reduce the spread of rabies in the country and apply to all dogs, including service dogs and those born in the United States.
What are the new rules for pets entering the United States?
All dogs entering or returning to the country must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 6 months old.
- Have a microchip compatible with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) implanted before receiving the mandatory rabies vaccine.
- The microchip number must be documented on all required forms and accompanying veterinary records.
- The pet must be in good health upon arrival.
In addition, owners must have a receipt for the CDC Dog Importation Form, which must be completed online between 2 and 10 days before arrival. Any necessary changes to a submitted form must be made on a new form before the dog’s arrival.
The form requires attaching a clear photograph of the dog showing its face and body. Pets under one year old at the time of arrival must have the photograph taken within 10 days prior to arrival, as stipulated on the CDC website.
There will be additional requirements that apply based on the pet’s travel history in the last 6 months, especially if it comes from a country with a high risk of rabies or if it is not vaccinated against this disease.
What if my pet shows symptoms of rabies?
If your dog shows signs of illness upon arrival, it may be required to isolate, undergo a veterinary examination, and undergo tests, the costs of which will be borne by the owner. Some of the symptoms that may raise suspicion of rabies include:
- General discomfort
- Difficulty swallowing
- Excessive drooling or salivation
- Aggressiveness
- Difficulty moving or even paralysis
To find out if your dog meets the requirements for entry into the United States, you can use the CDC’s “DogBot” tool. This tool will guide you through a series of questions to determine if your pet is eligible for admission to the country.
Cases of rabies in domestic pets in the United States are decreasing
Thanks to mandatory rabies vaccination in the United States, the number of cases among domestic animals is low, and the country is no longer considered a reservoir for rabies. According to the CDC, each year there are between 60 and 70 cases of rabies in dogs and over 250 in cats. Almost all of these cases are related to unvaccinated domestic and wild animals, such as bats, raccoons, and skunks.
Due to this, the CDC will lift the suspension on the importation of dogs from more than 100 countries on July 31, 2024, thanks to the implementation of stricter requirements and the reduction of fraudulent rabies vaccination certificates that were previously submitted.
