CDC Eases Dog Import Requirements from Low-Risk Countries

Dogs entering the U.S. from high-risk countries that have not been vaccinated against rabies within the past six months will still be denied entry.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced last Monday that some of the recently established dog import requirements are being rolled back for dogs coming into the U.S. from low-risk countries.

This policy change, which will take effect on August 1, is a response to significant public pressure from various stakeholders, including American senators, Canadian government officials, and animal advocacy groups.

Under the revised regulations, dogs that have only been in rabies-free or low-risk countries for the past six months will be allowed to enter the U.S., provided they appear healthy and have a completed dog import form.

This is a significant relaxation from the CDC’s May announcement, which mandated that all dogs entering the U.S. from other countries must be at least six months old, microchipped, and have a completed import form.

The CDC maintains strict regulations for dogs coming from high-risk countries. These dogs will not be permitted entry into the U.S. unless vaccinated against rabies within the past six months. This measure ensures that the U.S. continues to protect its rabies-free status while accommodating the needs of low-risk imports.

Criticism over the new import regulations

The initial rules faced criticism for potentially complicating veterinary care access for residents of U.S.-Canada border cities.

It also limits a crucial source of companionship for cross-border truckers. According to the Canadian Trucking Alliance, about 20% of truckers travel with dogs, making these companions essential for their well-being and mental health.

The Humane Society of the United States has opposed the new requirements and stated that they apply to dogs imported from all foreign countries without differentiating between commercially imported dogs and personal pets. This creates additional challenges for rescue groups and international travellers with their dogs.

U.S. Congressional leaders have also expressed worries about the impact of these changes. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has been working closely with the CDC to seek solutions, clarify the new dog import requirements, and emphasize the significant implications for Canadians and Americans.

Canada’s response to the strict dog import requirements

On June 17, Mark Holland, Canada’s Minister of Health, issued a statement regarding the recent changes in the CDC’s dog import requirements for dogs entering the U.S. from Canada.

Holland highlighted that since the CDC’s announcement on May 8, 2024, Canadian officials, including the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament, have been actively engaging with U.S. counterparts to address concerns.

Although some changes to the guidelines have been made to accommodate Canadians, the Government of Canada remains apprehensive about the potential negative effects of the new dog import requirements and regulations. Canada, which is free of the dog-maintained rabies virus variant (DMRVV), shares the same rabies-free status as the United States.

Despite this, the new CDC rules will impose additional planning and costs on Canadians travelling to the U.S. with their dogs and on Americans returning from Canada.

Holland pointed out that the new dog import requirements could impact tourism and transportation sectors, particularly trucking, which plays a crucial role in the supply chains between Canada and the U.S.

“These CDC regulations disproportionately impact people with service dogs who require these support animals wherever they travel,” said Holland. He also mentioned that Indigenous peoples who travel across the border to their traditional territories would feel the effects of these regulations.

Holland also said he is awaiting confirmation of a grace period for the initial months, during which individuals who are not compliant would receive a warning rather than being denied entry.

Background on the CDC requirements

By 2007, the U.S. had eradicated rabies in dogs. However, unvaccinated canines can still become infected by other animals and wildlife, such as foxes, bats, raccoons, and skunks.

In June 2021, the U.S. temporarily suspended dog imports from 113 high-risk countries for at least one year. This suspension affected 100,000 of the estimated 1 million dogs imported into the U.S. from these countries each year.

During the suspension period, the CDC recorded fewer instances of fraud, fewer dogs denied admission, and fewer sick and dead dogs arriving in the U.S.