CDC Updates Impacting International Travel with Dogs

The change is being established to limit dogs that enter the United States who may be carrying DMRVV, otherwise known as dog rabies. The rabies variant carried by dogs was eliminated in the United States in 2007 and the CDC wants to prevent the re-introduction of the disease. 

The CDC is trying to reduce the overall instances of falsified papers for imported puppies

The standardization of the dog importation process, including standard requirements for the minimum age of imported dogs, microchips, the CDC Dog Import Form, and other documentation, will streamline the importation process and allow for safer and more efficient entry of dogs into the United States. (cdc.gov)

August 1, 2024 is when the new system goes into effect. 

Dogs entering the United States, including guide dogs and other service dogs, need to be up to date on vaccines, microchipped, appear healthy, and be at least 6 months old. 

There will need to be an additional form to complete prior to travel. According to the CDC website, the form will need to be completed “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.” (cdc.gov)

Travel within the United States does not change. 

Exiting the United States remains the same. The DOT travel form and USDA health certificate are unaffected by this change. 

Entering or re-entering the United States will require the above-mentioned forms as well as the CDC’s digital form (not yet released), which is to include a recent photograph of the dog traveling that includes its head and body. 

The CDC Dog Import form needs to be completed in addition to the DOT forms and the USDA health certificate signed by your veterinarian.

The CDC’s importation requirements apply to all dogs, including dogs that leave the country for short trips, such as to visit family or friends, or to receive veterinary care. Both Canada and Mexico are rabies-free countries.

Dogs traveling from a low-risk country (such as Canada or Mexico) will still need to complete the CDC dog import form each time they enter the United States. No additional rabies vaccinations or titering is necessary outside of the scheduled 1-year or 3-year vaccine. 

CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) links:

• Frequently Asked Questions on CDC Dog Importations: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/faqs.html
• Information about requirements, including documentation after August 1st:  https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/index.html 
• Bringing a Dog into the United States: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/index.html

Other Resources and Responses

• University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College blog:  https://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2024/05/articles/animals/dogs/new-us-dog-importation-rules/
• Info from AKC: ​​​https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/u-s-regulatory-update-cdc-expands-rule-import-dogs-u-s-effective-aug-1/ 

Breeding contracts made with other countries often have puppy exchanges as a term of the contract. With this new ruling, the terms of these contracts cannot be met as written. 

Additional resources abroad will be needed to care for a puppy until it is 6 months old if it is to be brought to GDB as a potential breeding dog. 

An additional burden is placed on GDB’s guide dog clients to complete additional documentation each time they enter the United States with their guide dogs.

Additional documentation will need to be completed for staff traveling between the US and other countries (such as Canada and Mexico) who will be traveling with a guide dog. 

Guide Dogs for the Blind has taken the position that this ruling is discriminatory against people with disabilities in that it will impede the ability of guide dog users to travel outside of the United States. GDB’s clients often need to travel for work or personal reasons and the extra time and expense it would take for them to schedule and attend veterinary appointments and complete CDC dog import forms under the new rule would place undue, unreasonable, and unnecessary hardships on them. 

This additional documentation is redundant, as GDB clients and all accredited members of IGDF and ADI are already required to provide proof of rabies vaccination to fly with their dog. 

This ruling will have a negative impact on our breeding program and the genetic diversity vital to produce guide dogs. 

Guide Dogs for the Blind has contacted the following representatives and officials and formally expressed our concern. We have requested an exemption for all dogs from IGDF and ADI accredited organizations from the CDC dog import form. 

• Congressman Jamie Raskin, who represents Maryland's 8th Congressional District and serves as the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability in the 118th Congress. 
• Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services
• Mandy K. Cohen, MD, MPH, is the Director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

Both Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) have also expressed their concerns to the relevant legislators.

Additionally, Guide Dogs for the Blind has prepared cards for supporters to send to their government representatives.

Please contact your representatives to make them aware of this policy change and the undue burden it puts on guide dog clients as well as breeding dog contracts. Below is a sample letter that you can use when writing or calling your representatives.

Subject: Discriminatory new CDC rules affecting people who are blind or visually impaired

As a concerned citizen and stakeholder at Guide Dogs for the Blind, the largest guide dog school in North America, I am writing to express my deep concerns regarding the new CDC rules slated to become effective on August 1, 2024 that are seeking to prevent and deter travel of dogs into the United States. These changes fail to consider the civil rights of people who are blind or visually impaired and discriminate against people who use guide dogs.

The new regulations will impede the ability of guide dog users to travel outside the United States, imposing undue, unreasonable, and unnecessary hardships by requiring redundant vaccination and certification protocols for service dogs that already receive the highest standards of veterinary care. They also will negatively impact the genetic diversity of our industry-leading breeding program that is essential to producing guide dogs. 

I respectfully urge you to take action to ensure that these unreasonable, discriminatory measures aimed at unscrupulous dog breeders be immediately delayed and amended to address the vital needs of legitimate guide dog users. Thank you.