CDC rolls back controversial new rules, making it easier to cross the border with your dog
In May the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a series of rule changes that would make it more difficult for travelers, including U.S. residents returning from a trip to Canada, to bring a pet across the border. Now, they’re rolling back some of the changes.
Under the original set of restrictions, people traveling with a dog from a country with a low risk of rabies had to provide proof of their pet’s rabies vaccination or a health certificate issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, while travelers from high-risk countries had to provide proof of vaccination. The rules, slated to go into effect Aug. 1, also required dogs to be microchipped, appear healthy, be at least 6 months old, and their human companions to fill out the CDC’s Dog Import Form.
New rules for dogs traveling from low-risk countries
On July 22, the CDC announced that it would be loosening the restrictions for dogs traveling from countries with low levels of rabies, which includes Canada. The new rules, which still go into effect at the beginning of August, just require people bringing a dog across the border to fill out the import form, which can be done for free online, dropping the proof-of-vaccination requirement. Dogs still need to be at least 6 months old, microchipped and appear healthy to be allowed into the country.
You can check a country’s rabies status on the CDC’s website.
What about dogs traveling from high-risk countries?
People entering the U.S. with a dog that’s been to a country with high levels of rabies still need to provide proof of vaccination in addition to the other requirements. The full list of high-risk countries is available on the CDC website.
Why CDC made the changes
The original restrictions were met with controversy, with some arguing they were unnecessarily strict for dogs traveling from countries with few or no cases of rabies in dogs. In a news release, Canada’s Minister of Health Mark Holland stated that the Canadian government was “concerned by the impacts to local economies and hospitality industries.”
“Tourism in the U.S. and in Canada will be impacted as travelers are forced to pay extra costs to travel to the U.S. with their dogs and navigate overwhelming administrative processes.”
In the news release announcing the changes, the CDC stated that the new rules “incorporate the feedback received from the public, industry partners, and various countries.”
Changes are temporary
The loosened restrictions on dogs traveling from low-risk countries will be in place for nine months while the CDC decides on a long-term solution, according to a CDC spokesperson.
“During this time, CDC will work with industry partners, countries affected by this process, and dog owners to evaluate longer term approaches that effectively protect American communities and pets from the threat of rabies and other infectious diseases, while minimizing burden on travelers from dog rabies-free and low-risk countries,” the spokesperson said in an email to McClatchy.