In a bid to curb the transmission of rabies, travelers bringing dogs into the United States, whether returning from overseas with their pets, visiting the country, or adopting canines from abroad, must adhere to a set of newly implemented regulations.
According to officials, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently revised these regulations, which had last been updated in 1956 when far fewer dogs entered the U.S. from foreign countries. Now, approximately 1 million dogs arrive in the U.S. annually.
Additional restrictions apply if the dog has been in countries where rabies is prevalent, with a list of such nations available on the CDC website.
These new regulations will come into effect on August 1, with a comprehensive checklist provided on the CDC website to guide travelers.
Key aspects of the regulations include:
Dogs must be in good health and be at least 6 months old upon arrival in the U.S.
Each dog must have a microchip implanted under its skin containing identifying information.
Advance completion of a CDC import form is mandatory, including a photograph of the dog.
Proof of rabies vaccination is only required if the dog has been in a high-risk country within the past six months.
Dogs vaccinated within the U.S. necessitate a certificate endorsed by the Department of Agriculture.
Dogs vaccinated outside the U.S. must present a vaccination certificate alongside a blood test, and the animal must undergo examination at a CDC-registered facility upon arrival in the U.S.
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