As of August 1, new regulations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will reshape how dogs are transported into the United States, triggering widespread confusion and frustration among pet owners, airlines, and rescue organizations alike.
Heather Blas, a pet relocation specialist at Continental Pet Relocation, describes the chaotic process of adapting to these new requirements. The updated rules, intended to curb rabies transmission, have led to conflicting information and a flurry of last-minute adjustments.
“The situation has devolved into a circus,” Blas says, reflecting the disarray as professionals and travelers scramble for clarity. The CDC’s new guidelines mandate that dogs entering the U.S. must be over six months old, microchipped, and in apparent good health. Additionally, dogs vaccinated abroad or recently in high-risk rabies countries may face further restrictions, including blood tests or a 28-day quarantine at the owner’s expense.
This shift follows a temporary suspension of dog importations from high-risk areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC’s move aims to align U.S. regulations with international standards and address issues like fraudulent documentation and substandard animal conditions.
Elizabeth Schuette, president and CEO of the ARK Import Export Center at JFK Airport, anticipates a surge in animals passing through her facility due to the new rules. The ARK, known for handling a variety of animals, including dogs, faces concerns over maintaining service quality amid increased demand.
Compounding the issue, airlines are now required to generate air waybills for each dog transported. Several airlines, including Lufthansa and Finnair, have responded by suspending dog transport to the U.S. until further notice, though some are seeking waivers.
Jörg Waber of Lufthansa assures that existing dog bookings will be honored if CDC requirements are met. However, new bookings for flights on or after August 1 will be restricted to six U.S. airports: Washington, D.C., New York City, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. Finnair is negotiating to continue transporting dogs without an air waybill.
Lawmakers and industry experts have expressed concerns, calling for a delay in implementing the new rules. Critics argue that the regulations, while well-intentioned, could have been better executed. Jennifer Skiff from Animal Wellness Action argues that the existing system was already effective in catching rabid dogs and that the new rules represent an overreach.
Major U.S. airlines like American, Delta, United, and Southwest have indicated that their policies for carrying pets remain unchanged, although Delta and American have paused pet shipments in their cargo divisions to comply with new requirements.
The new rules have significantly impacted military and diplomatic families. Liz Hensel, the 2024 AFI Marine Corps Spouse of the Year, describes the regulations as a “huge blow,” forcing many families to seek costly alternative transport options for their pets. The anticipated rise in shipping costs could far exceed the reimbursement limits for service members.
For animal rescue organizations like Friends of Sochi Dogs, the regulations could threaten operations, especially in high-risk areas like Ukraine. Co-founder Anna Umansky faces challenges with flight cancellations and increased costs for revaccination and quarantine, potentially jeopardizing rescue missions.
Despite the CDC’s assurances about the safety of multiple rabies vaccinations, the new requirement to revaccinate dogs, even with proof of immunity, has been criticized as unnecessary.
“We’re trying to navigate this, but the expenses are astronomical,” Umansky says, highlighting the financial strain and operational hurdles faced by rescue groups under the new rules.
As the August 1 deadline approaches, the new CDC regulations on dog transport continue to spark debate and concern, underscoring the complexities of balancing public health with practical realities for pet owners and animal welfare organizations.
