The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is in charge of dog importation policies. Recently, the CDC has announced new import rules for dogs entering the US set to take place on August 1, 2024. The new rules in place were designed to prevent canine rabies in the United States after its elimination in 2017 and standardize the process between all countries (high and low risk). With canine rabies currently nonexistent in the United States, new regulations would have had sweeping ramifications for hunters, dog owners, and breeders.
Despite a rather bleak outlook for border crossings, the work of advocacy groups and public feedback has paid off in a big way. The CDC announced revised regulations for low and no-risk countries making traveling with a dog viable yet again. We took a deep dive into what the CDC dog importation regulations were and what the new regulations will be in this guide to dog importation policy.
Proposed Regulations
The original proposed set of rules was set to standardize the dog importation process between high and low-risk countries. High-risk countries are considered areas with known rabies cases, feral dog populations, and other risk factors that could lead to the introduction of rabies. Low-risk countries are those that have little to no concern about rabies making it into the US.
The standardization process originally included several new rules:
- Dogs must be at least six months old.
- Dogs must appear healthy.
- Dogs must have an ISO-compatible microchip.
- Dogs must come with a CDC import form receipt following online submission.
Additional rules included mandatory rabies vaccines, potential blood work to confirm negative rabies results, and further travel restrictions depending on a dog’s recent travel history. With the elimination of rabies in 2017 these steps were designed to prevent the reintroduction of the virus.
Impacts for Waterfowl Season
These new rules were set to take effect on August 1, 2024, just before hunters head north of the border for early-season waterfowl hunting. Historically Canada is a waterfowl mecca, and a hot spot before seasons open in the lower 48. Hunters making the annual pilgrimage would have had to deal with these new regulations. This meant updated vaccines and boosters, microchipping, a plethora of paperwork, and potential blood tests if a dog was suspected to have rabies.
Impacts on Puppies and Breeders
The proposed sweeping CDC dog importation regulations have broader implications in the world of breeders and puppies. For starters, requirements stated that a puppy must be at least 6 months old to cross. This stems from rabies vaccine requirements. Dogs must be at least four months old to receive the vaccine, blood work must be done 30 days after the vaccine and it must be drawn 28 days before crossing. This adds up to 6 months. For trainers and hunters looking to get a puppy, this is detrimental.
It’s recommended puppies be placed in a home around eight to ten weeks of age for socializing and training. While there are trainers available in other countries, the lack of socialization and introducing the dog to your family later in life will have ramifications. The bond between an owner and dog is sacred and cherished by waterfowlers. Not spending time with them as a puppy will have overarching impacts on nurturing a relationship with your dog.
The Good News
Thanks to the hard work of dog advocacy groups, industry partners, and public feedback the CDC has been pressured into changing these regulations. The proposed rules no longer apply to rabies-free and low-risk countries. To meet the importation requirements a dog must be healthy, be six months old, and have a completed CDC Dog Import Form. Compared to the stringent proposed rules this is certainly a victory. Dog owners can file the form online on the day of travel and can cross the border with minimal hassle.
That said, dog owners and breeders will still have to deal with the six-month age requirement. This presents a major issue for breeders and owners looking to get a dog from another country. Revised regulations make importing dogs a viable option to maintain genetic diversity in litters, but still effectively seal off puppies from other countries. The result is a limited amount of breeders to choose from. In the coming years, the lack of breeders in other countries will make finding quality puppies in the States harder.
While these regulations are set to take place on August 1, 2024, there is hope they will be changed in the future. Continued public pressure and pressure from dog advocacy groups will be critical for further change.
What’s Next?
While public pressure has lessened regulations for those traveling between low-risk countries there is still a long road ahead. Several dog organizations have been pivotal in changing these new regulations. As waterfowlers, conservationists, and dog lovers–whether it’s exemptions or modifications to existing literature–we can only hope the CDC walks back these stringent new regulations.
