New US Dog Entry Requirements for Canadians Start August 1, 2024

The CDC has created new US dog entry requirements starting August 1, 2024. Here's everything you need to know if you plan to bring your canine companion into the United States this summer. Key Points:

• New regulations for dog entry take effect on August 1, 2024.
• This applies to all U.S. ports of entry, including land, sea, and air.
• All dogs must appear healthy and meet specific vaccination and microchipping requirements.
• Stringent rules apply to dogs arriving from countries with a high risk of dog rabies.

Who This News Impacts

• Dog owners planning to travel internationally with their dogs.
• Airlines and transport companies involved in pet transportation.
• Veterinary professionals and pet relocation services.

What People Need to Know

• All dogs must be at least six months old, appear healthy, be microchipped, and be accompanied by a CDC Dog Entry Form receipt.
• Dogs from high-risk rabies countries need a valid rabies vaccination, microchipping before vaccination, and possibly a rabies serology titer or a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility.
• Specific documentation must be presented to airlines and U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon arrival.

What Are the New Entry Requirements

The criteria for bringing a dog into the United States vary based on several factors:

• The date your dog is scheduled to arrive in the U.S.
• The locations your dog has visited in the six months prior to its arrival in the U.S.
• The country in which your dog was vaccinated against rabies, if applicable.
• The age of the dog, and whether they have an ISO-compatible microchip.

To ensure your dog is allowed entry into the U.S., it must comply with specific requirements. You can use the CDC's DogBot tool to check which regulations apply to your dog, based on your travel dates and the countries your dog has been in.

Why Are There New US Dog Entry Requirements?

These new rules for dog entry into the States come from the CDC’s desire to protect their citizens and their pets by cracking down on dog entries in concern of reintroducing rabies. Rabies is a dangerous disease, as such, the CDC is looking to implement safer entry of dogs into the U.S. for public health safety through hopefully preventing the risk of re-introducing rabies into the country from possibly sick dogs. 

What Does This Mean for Canadian Pet Owners Travelling?

For Canadian pet parents looking to bring their furry friend along on a trip down to the States, the process just got a lot more complicated. Even if you live right next to the border and are just driving down for a quick visit, you’ll need to set aside some time to ensure your pup is up to date with all of the requirements needed for entry. If they’re not, your trip may be over before it starts.

This applies for everyone entering the United States with a dog, and so pre-planning and ensuring your dog is properly prepared is going to be a new staple in many people’s pre-trip routine.

What if You Don't Meet the Requirements?

If your dog fails to meet the entry requirements into the United States, then access will be denied. The CDC states that those who do not have valid entry will “be returned to the country of departure at the importer’s expense.”

Resources for More Information

This can seem like a lot of information coming at you at once, and it can be hard to sift through it all. Not to worry, the CDC accounted for that and released online tools meant to help travellers understand the requirements needed for their dog:

• DOGBOT is an interactive tool that can help users find the correct forms needed for them.
• A checklist is also available on the CDC’s website for a breakdown on actions to take leading up to your trip.