Dog Importation Rules Clarified by the U.S. CDC

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a media statement with an updated process for bringing dogs into the United States from rabies-free and low-risk dog rabies countries to simplify and clarify the procedures.

Announced on July 22, 2024, these updates reflect feedback from the public, industry partners, and various countries and aim to prevent the re-introduction of dog rabies to the U.S. while protecting the health of U.S. communities and animals, wrote the CDC.

Starting in August 2024, dogs that have spent the prior six months only in dog rabies-free or low-risk rabies countries can enter the U.S. with a CDC Import Form online submission receipt as acceptable documentation.

This form can be completed on the day of travel, and the receipt can be presented to airlines and border officials as a printed copy or on the phone. The receipt is valid for travel into the U.S. for six months from the date of issuance and allows for multiple entries.

Furthermore, all dogs entering the U.S. must have a microchip and be over six months of age.

Additional documents and requirements will still apply to dogs coming from high-risk countries. For more information and updates, visit www.cdc.gov/dogtravel.

While infected dogs are the leading source of rabies worldwide, bats infect most humans with rabies in the U.S.

Rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral disease in 2024. People can be protected from rabies with various vaccines.