Is your dog microchipped? Have you filled out the proper Centers for Disease Control form?
These are two of the questions you'll be asking yourself if you're a dog owner trying to bring Fido across the border into the United States starting in August.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Field Operations says it is getting the word out now to travellers that U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requirements for dogs entering the U.S. will change on Aug. 1.
According to a U.S. Customs news release, dogs must:
- Appear healthy upon arrival
- Be at least six months of age
- Be microchipped
- Be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form online submission receipt
Also, proof of rabies vaccination may be required based on where the dog has been in the last six months and whether the dog was vaccinated in the U.S. or elsewhere, the customs service said in a news release.
For dogs arriving from countries with a high risk of dog rabies, they must be protected against rabies. (The current list does not include Canada.)
“Regulating dog importation helps protect the health and safety of people and their pets,” said port director Donovan Delude.
“The rabies variant carried by dogs was eliminated in the U.S. in 2007 and we’re working diligently in concert with the Center for Disease Control to prevent its reintroduction.”
Dog rabies is not controlled in over 100 countries, which is why there is an inherent risk in imported dogs, U.S. Customs said.
Travellers were being advised to learn more about bringing a dog into the United States and to obtain all necessary documentation prior to departure.
