A new ruling by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that takes effect on August 1 creates significant barriers for rescue organizations and families abroad with pets to bring dogs into the U.S. As a result, many international rescues based in the U.S. and humane societies are up in arms about what they call overly restrictive and unnecessary rules.
What Are The New Restrictions?
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In an effort to prevent rabies outbreaks in the U.S., the new dog import rule prohibits all puppies under six months old from entering the U.S. and requires all dogs entering the U.S. to be microchipped. For dogs over six months coming from rabies-free or low-risk countries, organizations and individuals are now required to show written documentation that the dog has not been in a high-risk rabies country for at least six months before entering the U.S. Without this proof, dogs face the potential for quarantine times before they’re allowed into the country.
What About Dogs Coming From High-Risk Countries?
Dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the prior six months must be at least six months old and microchipped to enter the U.S. For U.S.-vaccinated dogs, the CDC requires proof of rabies vaccination. These dogs can enter the U.S. at any airport, seaport, or land border crossing.
However, the new rules get cumbersome for foreign-vaccinated dogs or those who can’t provide proof of a U.S.-administered rabies vaccination. The requirements for these dogs include:
- Obtain a valid rabies titer at least 28 days before arrival from a CDC-approved lab to ensure the dog is rabies-free. Without this serologic test result, the dog will undergo a 28-day quarantine.
- Have a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility* for examination and revaccination. If the dog does not have a valid rabies serology titer, the reservation must also include a 28-day quarantine.
*The only U.S. airports with CDC-registered animal care facilities are Atlanta (ATL), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), and Washington, DC (IAD).
What Are The Objections?
Many organizations are pointing out the complications created by these new requirements for a dog’s age and proof of residency, particularly for those being imported from rabies-free and low-risk countries.
1. Proof Of Residency Is Unrealistic
In rescue situations, it’s extremely difficult to provide proof that a dog has not been in a country with a high risk of rabies. Many rescues involve saving the lives of dogs who become homeless after natural disasters or during acts of war and human violence — often their previous whereabouts are impossible to prove.
A statement issued by the Humane Society Legislative Fund argues, “If those bringing dogs into the U.S. can provide documentation that the animals meet all requirements for microchipping, rabies vaccination, and rabies antibody testing, it is unnecessary to ask for proof that a dog has not been in a high-risk rabies country for the last six months.”
2. 6-Month Age Restriction Is Unnecessary
Fly To Freedom Dog Rescue, a Pennsylvania nonprofit, saves and rescues over 100 puppies a year from Anguilla, a rabies-free British Territory in the Caribbean. Nearly 80% of the organization’s dogs are puppies who are four months old, healthy, and have all their necessary vaccines (including rabies) and legal paperwork to enter the United States.
Fly To Freedom has requested that the CDC change its ruling to permit the importation of dogs from rabies-free countries at 15 weeks of age, three weeks after getting their rabies vaccine. “If the CDC does not grant this request for a rule change, thousands of innocent island puppies will either be euthanized, hit by cars while roaming the streets, or killed by wildlife and other environmental elements. The island shelters and rescue facilities have neither the financial means nor the physical space to house the puppies until the CDC’s new six-month age requirement is fulfilled,” says the organization’s press release.
3. Rules Place An Undue Burden On Airlines
Complaints also involve how the new requirements will impact airlines because airline personnel have not been trained to handle and appropriately verify all the new documentation required.
“Failure to comply with the new CDC regulations on August 1 will result in pets either being returned or put in extended quarantine,” says Kimberly Graner, vice president of Tailwind Global Pet and Kennel Club LAX, a CDC-registered animal care facility. “These changes, while beneficial for animal welfare, may lead to a surge in issues as many airlines are not yet equipped to handle the new requirements and may not have the necessary systems in place on passenger flights.”
4. Added Financial Stress On Individuals & Organizations
Many organizations point out that the regulations for quarantines, titer testing, and other issues will place a heavy burden on their financial ability to rescue dogs. Why? All of the costs for the new requirements, particularly the cost of a physical exam, revaccination, and possible quarantine time, fall upon the importer’s plate. It could force smaller rescues to have to close up shop.
Our rescue work often helps dogs who are enduring desperate situations around the world find refuge with American families who want to help. These new requirements will make it difficult and expensive for international dog rescues to save and place healthy, vaccinated rescue dogs with their forever families in the U.S. This move will impact generations of vulnerable dogs, as overseas adoption offers them vital lifelines.
– Adam Parascandola, vice president of the animal rescue team at the Humane Society of the United States.
Others Who Could Be Affected By The Rule
International rescue organizations aren’t the only ones facing heavy burdens. The new regulations also impact individuals and families. Those potentially affected include military or diplomatic families with pet dogs returning home after their assignments abroad, soldiers who befriend a stray dog while serving overseas, and individuals who want to rescue a dog in need they encountered during their travels.
Although the new ruling takes effect on August 1, 2024, it must pass Congress and receive the signature of the President to be considered a law. Nevertheless, it’s placing many rescue organizations and families in a frustrating and heart-breaking position.
How do you feel about the new CDC dog import rules? Let us know in our comments.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
As a long-time journalist, Sally delves into the most important and trustworthy information available on the web to give our readers the most accurate and up-to-date information. She and her colleagues at Canine Journal are die-hard pet lovers and animal advocates committed to their well-being. We share concerns about how these rules will negatively impact the tireless work of animal rescue organizations.