Taking your dog to Hamvention???
Well think again after reading the following:
With all the news coming out of the United States recently between the attempted Assassination and the Republican Convention this might of been missed.
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According to CBC News… the Center for Disease Control has brought out some updated guidelines for moving your dogs into the USA.
The following is a “Cut N Paste” from the CDC website (above link)
Requirements for all dogs
All dogs must:
- Be at least 6 months of age at time of entry or return to the United States
- Have an implanted International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip
- This must have been implanted prior to any required rabies vaccination
- The microchip number must be documented on all required forms and in all accompanying veterinary records
- Appear healthy upon arrival
- Dogs may not enter the United States if they are carrying a disease contagious to people.
- Isolation of the dog, veterinary examination, and additional testing, at the importer’s expense, may be required to determine if the dog has a contagious disease and prevent spread if the dog does not appear healthy upon arrival.
- Have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt
This form should be filled out online ideally 2-10 days before arrival; however, it can also be completed right before travel (even in line at the border crossing) if you have internet access. If the information on the form changes before the dog arrives, you must submit a new form and indicate you are making changes to an existing form. All information, including port of entry where the dog is arriving, must be correct at time of arrival.
- This form requires you to upload a clear photograph of the dog showing its face and body. Dogs that will be less than one year of age at time of arrival should have the photograph taken within 10 days before arrival.
- There is no charge to importers for submitting this form.
- Have additional documentation which varies depending on where the dog has been in the 6 months before entering or returning to the United States, or if the dog has a current rabies vaccine administered in the United States
- Additional requirements for dogs with a current rabies vaccination administered in the United States
- Additional requirements for dogs that have been in a country at high-risk for dog rabies within the 6 months before entry and do NOT have appropriate documentation of current US-issued rabies vaccine
- Additional requirements for dogs that have been ONLY in countries that are dog rabies-free or low-risk in the 6 months before entry
Dogs that do not meet all entry requirements or do not have accurate and valid forms will be denied entry to the United States and returned to the country of departure at the importer’s expense. These requirements apply to all dogs, including service dogs and dogs that were born in the United States.
Requirements for dogs with a current and valid rabies vaccination administered in the United States
Specific requirements depend on whether the dog has been in a high-risk country for dog rabies in the past 6 months.
Dogs with a current rabies vaccination administered in the United States that have been in a high-risk country for dog rabies must:
- Meet all requirements in the “All Dogs” section above
- Have a Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccine form that was endorsed by USDA before the dog departed the United States
- The Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form is required for the importation (re-entry) of U.S.-vaccinated dogs that have been in high-risk countries for dog rabies within the 6 months before re-entry into the United States.
- Please note, during the transition period (which will expire on July 31, 2025), the importer may instead present a copy of the USDA-endorsed export health certificate that was used to ship the dog from the United States, if that export health certificate was issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before July 31, 2025, and documents the dog’s age (at least 6 months), the microchip number, and valid rabies vaccination administered in the United States. The rabies vaccination must be valid (not expired) on the date of return or the form will be invalid.
- Arrive at the location listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt
- This can be any airport, land border crossing, or sea port but you must select this location when you complete the CDC Dog Import Form.
Dogs with a current rabies vaccination administered in the United States that have NOT been in a high-risk country in the last 6 months must:
- Meet all requirements in the “All Dogs” section above
- Have one of the following documents:
- A Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccine form that was endorsed by USDA before the dog departed the United States; or
- A USDA endorsed export health certificate. The export certificate must demonstrate the dog is 6 months of age or older, list the microchip number, and either:
- Be for the dog rabies-free or low-risk country where the dog’s return itinerary originated (the form will only be valid for 30 days if it does not contain rabies vaccination information), or
- Document a valid (unexpired) rabies vaccination administered in the United States (the form will be valid for the duration of the rabies vaccination (1 or 3 years)).
- Arrive at the location listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt
- (This can be any airport, land border crossing, or sea port but you must select this location when you complete the CDC Dog Import Form.)
Important information about the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination Form
The Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form must be completed before the dog departs the U.S. Before asking your veterinarian to complete this form, verify the following requirements will be met:
- Ensure your dog will be at least 6 months of age on date of return to the U.S.
- Have your dog microchipped with an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip (implanted before any required rabies vaccinations)
- Once your dog is at least 12 weeks (84 days) of age, have a USDA-accredited veterinarian vaccinate your dog against rabies with a U.S.-licensed vaccine in accordance with manufacturer instructions
- Ensure the veterinarian scans the dog for the ISO-compatible microchip and records the microchip number at the time of vaccine appointment. Rabies vaccines administered prior to microchip implantation will not be considered valid.
- Ensure the rabies vaccination will be valid for the entire duration of your travels. If your dog’s U.S.-issued rabies vaccination lapses while overseas and your dog has been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months, your dog will need to be revaccinated overseas and meet requirements for foreign-vaccinated dogs to return to the U.S., including having a rabies serology titer, arriving at a specific port of entry, and possible quarantine requirements.
- Your dog must receive its initial (first) rabies vaccine at least 28 days before leaving the United States. USDA-accredited veterinarians should only issue the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form for dogs that received their initial (first) rabies vaccine at least 28-days previously. Booster vaccines are considered valid immediately.
- Have the USDA-accredited veterinarian that administered the rabies vaccine to your dog complete the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form
- Ensure the veterinarian submits this form to the USDA for official endorsement through the VEHCS portal
- Obtain a copy of the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form from your veterinarian once it has been officially endorsed by the USDA
- Your dog must travel with a printed copy of the official endorsed form upon your dog’s return to the United States if your dog has been in a high-risk country within the 6 months before returning to the U.S.
During the transition period (which will expire on July 31, 2025), U.S.-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months, may have either the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form or the USDA endorsed export health certificate for re-entry into the United States. Without one of these forms your dog will need to meet the requirements specific to the risk category of the countries where they have been in the 6 months before returning to the United States.
The export health certificate must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before July 31, 2025, and document the dog’s age (at least 6 months), microchip number, and the rabies vaccination date. The rabies vaccine must be valid (not expired) on the date of return or the form will be invalid.
Step 1: Recommend to begin 60 days before travel out of the United States to allow sufficient time to prepare for travel | Verify dog will be at least 6 months old on day of travel back to the United States.Get your pet microchipped or have your veterinarian verify their microchip number. Make sure the microchip number is listed on all veterinary records.Visit veterinarian to get your dog their rabies vaccination (or booster) before travel.Your dog must be at least 12 weeks (84 days) old when it gets its first rabies vaccination.Make sure your dog’s rabies vaccination will be valid (not expired) for the entire duration of travel. |
Step 2: Recommend to begin 30 days before travel out of the United States | Contact your veterinarian to have them complete either:the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form, orthe USDA endorsed export health certificate if your dog will be only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries and will return from the country listed on the certificate or that documents a valid rabies vaccination issued in the United States (if your dog will be in a high-risk country, this option is available during the transition period [which will expire on July 31, 2025]) |
Step 3: 2-10 days before travel back to the United States | Print a copy of the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form or USDA APHIS-endorsed export health certificate from USDA.Take a photo of your dog and complete the CDC Dog Import Form.This form requires you to upload a picture (jpg, png, gif files only) of your dog showing its face and body.Dogs that will be less than one year of age at time of return to the United States should have the photograph taken within 10 days before travel.Ensure you enter your dog’s microchip number into this form correctly. This is very important.Submit a corrected form if any of the information on this form changes.Print a copy of CDC Dog Import form receipt you will receive in your email and travel with it.CDC recommends you travel with at least 2 copies of this form in case the country you are visiting keeps one copy for their records. You will need to present this form for re-entry into the United States.Finalize travel arrangements with the airline or transport company. |
Step 4: Day of travel back to the United States | If traveling by air, present the following to the airline before boarding your dog:CDC Dog Import Form receipt andCertification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form or USDA APHIS-endorsed export health certificateArrive at the location on CDC Dog Import Form receiptPresent the following to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer:CDC Dog Import Form receipt andCertification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form or USDA APHIS-endorsed export health certificate |
Requirements for foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a country with high risk of dog rabies within 6 months before entry
Dogs, including service dogs, that have been in a country at high-risk for dog rabies within the 6 months before entry and do not have appropriate documentation of current U.S.-issued rabies vaccine must:
- Meet all requirements in the “All Dogs” section
- Have a complete Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form
- Ensure the dog is microchipped with an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip before receiving the rabies vaccination and the number is recorded on the veterinary documents or the vaccine will not be considered valid
- Verify the dog is at least 12 weeks (84 days) of age when vaccinated against rabies
- The dog must have a valid (i.e., non-expired) rabies vaccination. If it’s the dog’s first vaccination or if the dog’s vaccination coverage has lapsed, the vaccine must be administered at least 28 days before arrival to the United States.
- The Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form must be completed by your veterinarian AND endorsed by an official veterinarian in the exporting country.
- Have a valid rabies serology titer (titer not required if dog has reservation for 28-day quarantine at a CDC-registered animal care facility)
- The blood sample for the rabies serology titer must have been drawn at least 30 days after the dog’s first valid rabies vaccination and at least 28 days before entry to the U.S.
- Dogs with a history of multiple valid rabies vaccinations administered after the microchip was placed may have the sample for the rabies serology titer drawn at any time after a rabies booster vaccination as long as the dog’s first vaccine was given at least 30 days before the blood sample was drawn and there has been no lapse in vaccine coverage. If a lapse occurs, the sample must be drawn at least 30 days after the valid booster vaccination was administered.
- The sample must be sent to a CDC-approved rabies serology laboratory. If there is no CDC-approved laboratory in your country, your veterinarian may draw the sample and send it internationally to a CDC-approved laboratory.
- Passing results must be obtained in order for a serology to be valid.
- Rabies serology titer results will be considered valid for the life of the dog as long as the dog’s rabies vaccination coverage does not lapse. If a lapse occurs, a new rabies serology titer will be required and that sample must be drawn at least 30 days after the new vaccination was administered.
- If the dog does not have a valid rabies serology titer, it will be required to be quarantined at a CDC-registered animal care facility for 28 days after the dog is revaccinated by the facility’s veterinarian.
- Have a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility for examination and revaccination (and quarantine if the dog does not have a valid rabies serology titer)
- All foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the previous 6 months must have a reservation for examination, verification of age, documents, and microchip number, and administration of a rabies booster vaccination at a CDC-registered animal care facility immediately upon arrival in the United States.
- Dogs that do not have a valid rabies serology titer must also have a reservation for quarantine. Dogs will be quarantined at the facility for 28 days at the importer’s expense after being revaccinated by the facility’s veterinarian.
- All CDC-registered animal care facility expenses, including exam, revaccination, and quarantine (if required), are the responsibility of the importer.
- The facility will need copies of all required documents prior to confirming your reservation.
- Ensure the dog meets any facility-specific requirements (contact facility for additional information).
- If after arrival the CDC-registered animal care facility determines that your documents are not valid or the dog’s microchip number, age, or description does not match the paperwork provided, the dog may be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at your expense.
- Dogs that have evidence of illness or are not healthy will be required to have testing to confirm they do not have contagious diseases before they will be eligible for release, which may extend the required quarantine period beyond 28 days. Any required testing or extended stay in quarantine will be at the importer’s expense, so please ensure dogs are healthy upon arrival (including no evidence of fleas, ticks, or skin diseases).
- Have an international flight that arrives directly at the airport with the CDC-registered animal care facility where the dog has a reservation
- Dogs must arrive to the U.S. at the airport where the CDC-registered animal care facility is located. This must be the location where the dog has a reservation.
- This must also be the airport listed on the CDC Dog Import Form
- Domestic flights or other forms of travel to other locations in the U.S. are not permitted until after the dog receives required follow-up services at the CDC-registered animal care facility and is cleared for entry.
- SERVICE DOGS ARRIVING BY SEA: Service dogs, as defined in 14 CFR 382.3, may arrive by sea if they meet the requirements in the “All Dogs” section, have a complete Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form and a valid rabies serology titer, and are traveling with their handler. Emotional support animals are not service animals under this definition.
Step 1: Recommend to begin 60-90 days (or more) before travel | Verify the dog will be at least 6 months old on day of arrival in the United States.Get the dog microchipped or have a veterinarian verify its microchip number. Make sure the microchip number is listed on all veterinary records.Visit a veterinarian to get the dog its rabies vaccination (or booster) before travel.Vaccination must be current on date of arrival.The dog must be at least 12 weeks (84 days) of age when vaccinated against rabies.Rabies vaccination must be administered at least 28 days before arrival if it is the dog’s first rabies vaccine or if its rabies vaccination coverage has lapsed.Have the veterinarian collect a blood sample (at least 30 days after first valid rabies vaccine) to send to a CDC-approved laboratory for a rabies serology titer if you wish to avoid a quarantine for the dog.You may have this completed at a different time point, but the sample must be collected at least 30 days after the dog’s first rabies vaccination. Note that results may take weeks to obtain from the laboratory and samples must be drawn at least 4 weeks (28 days) before entering the United States. |
Step 2: Recommend to begin 30 days before travel | Contact veterinarian to have them complete the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form.The veterinarian must submit this form to an official government veterinarian in the exporting country for certificationIf not done already: last chance to have a veterinarian collect a blood sample to send to a CDC-approved laboratory for a rabies serology titer to avoid a quarantine for the dog. Titers MUST be collected at least 28 days before travel to the U.S.Receive copy of endorsed Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form from the official veterinarian in the exporting country.Book a reservation at CDC-registered animal care facility.All foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country must have a reservation for (at minimum) examination, verification of age, microchip, and documents, and administration of a rabies booster vaccination.If the dog will not have a valid rabies serology at time of entry to the United States, you must also make a reservation for quarantine.Print a copy of the reservation confirmation from the CDC-registered animal care facility. This reservation confirmation MUST accompany the dog.Finalize the dog’s travel arrangements.Make sure the itinerary has the dog’s first point of arrival in the United States at the airport with the CDC-registered animal care facility where the dog has a reservation. |
Step 3: 2-10 days before travel | Take a photo of the dog and upload it to complete the CDC Dog Import Form.This form requires you to upload a picture (jpg, png, gif files only) of the dog showing its face and body.Dogs that will be less than one year of age at time of arrival should have the photograph taken within 10 days before arrival.Ensure you enter the dog’s microchip number into this form correctly. This is very important.Ensure the airport entered into the form is the same one where the CDC-registered animal care facility where the dog has a reservation is located.Submit a corrected form if any of the information on this form changes.Print a copy of CDC Dog Import Form receipt you will receive in your email and ensure it accompanies the dog.Finalize travel arrangements with airline or transport company. |
Step 4: Day of travel | Present the following to the airline before boarding the dog:CDC Dog Import Form receipt andreservation confirmation for the CDC-registered animal care facilityArrive at the location where the CDC-registered animal care facility is located and that is printed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt.Present the following to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer:CDC Dog Import Form receipt andreservation confirmation for the CDC-registered animal care facilityFollow instructions provided by CBP and the CDC-registered animal care facility to ensure the dog is transferred to the facility. |
Step 5: After travel | Follow the instructions of the CDC-registered animal care facility regarding where and when to pick up the dog after required services have been completed. |
Requirements for dogs that have been ONLY in countries that are dog rabies-free or low-risk during the 6 months before entry
Countries that are not on the list of countries at high risk for dog rabies are considered to be free of or low risk for dog-mediated rabies virus variant (DMRVV) (called dog rabies-free or low-risk countries on these webpages).
Dogs, including service dogs, that have been ONLY in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries during the 6 months before entry into the United States must:
- Meet all requirements in the “All Dogs” section
- Have one of the following (note: any documentation that is not from the United States must be completed in the country where the dog’s travel originates):
- Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form endorsed by an official veterinarian in the exporting country; AND valid rabies serology titer OR veterinary records* (which list the microchip number) for the dog from the exporting country for the 6 months before traveling to the U.S. This form must be for the dog rabies-free or low risk country where the dog’s return itinerary originated. The form has different entry requirements depending on whether and where the dog was vaccinated. The form is valid for:
- A single entry into the U.S. for 30 days after it was issued if it does not contain information about rabies vaccination administered in a dog rabies-free or low-risk country, OR
- Multiple entries into the U.S. for the duration the rabies vaccination is valid (1 or 3 years) if the rabies vaccination was administered in a dog rabies-free or low-risk country
- Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, including the endorsement by an official veterinarian of the dog rabies-free or low-risk country where the dog has been located; AND EITHER (1) a valid rabies serology titer OR (2) veterinary records* (which list the microchip number) for the dog from the exporting country for the previous 6 months. The form must be completed within 30 days before arrival to the United States and is valid for a single entry.
- Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form that was endorsed by USDA before the dog departed the United States
- Valid USDA-endorsed export health certificate that either:
- Is for the dog rabies-free or low-risk country where the dog’s return itinerary originated (the form will only be valid for 30 days if it does not contain rabies vaccination information), or
- Documents a valid (unexpired) rabies vaccination administered in the United States (the form will be valid for the duration of the rabies vaccination (1 or 3 years)).
- Foreign export certificate that documents the dog is at least 6 months of age, lists the dog’s International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip number, and has been endorsed by an official veterinarian of the exporting country; AND veterinary records* (which list the microchip number) for the dog from the exporting country for the previous 6 months. The certificate must be issued within 30 days before arrival to the United States and is valid for a single entry.
- Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form endorsed by an official veterinarian in the exporting country; AND valid rabies serology titer OR veterinary records* (which list the microchip number) for the dog from the exporting country for the 6 months before traveling to the U.S. This form must be for the dog rabies-free or low risk country where the dog’s return itinerary originated. The form has different entry requirements depending on whether and where the dog was vaccinated. The form is valid for:
- Arrive at the location listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt (This can be any airport, land border crossing, or sea port but you must select it when you complete the CDC Dog Import Form.)
Any documentation that is not from the United States must be completed in the country where the dog’s travel originates. For example, if the dog’s documents were issued in France, the dog may not enter the U.S. via a land-border crossing from Mexico to the U.S.
*Examples of veterinary records that must accompany completed forms are European Union pet passports or proof of payment for veterinary services received in the exporting low-risk country for the previous 6 months. Records must include the dog’s microchip number.
Step 1: Recommend to begin 60-90 days before travel | Verify dog will be at least 6 months old on day of travel.Get dog microchipped or have a veterinarian verify its microchip number. Make sure the microchip number is listed on all veterinary records.Visit a veterinarian to get your dog its rabies vaccination (or booster) before travel.Rabies vaccination is not required if the dog has been only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries for 6 months, but is strongly recommended. It may also be required by the U.S. state or territory to which the dog is traveling. |
Step 2: Recommend to begin 30 days before travel | Ask the veterinarian to complete the Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form† or other CDC-approved documentationThe veterinarian must submit this form to an official government veterinarian in the exporting country (or to USDA if the dog was vaccinated in the United States) for certification Collect veterinary records for past 6 months.These must list an address for the veterinarian in the low-risk country from where the dog is departing for the U.S. and the dog’s microchip number.Veterinary records are not needed if the dog’s documentation is a valid Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form, or a USDA endorsed export health certificate if the dog is returning from the dog rabies-free or low-risk country listed on the certificate.If the dog’s documentation is the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, the importer can present a valid rabies serology titer instead of veterinary records.Receive copy of Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States (or other CDC-approved documentation) from the veterinarian. Begin making travel arrangements and reservations.†The Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form has different entry requirements depending on whether and where the dog was vaccinated. The form is valid for:A single entry for 30 days after the form was issued if it does not contain information about rabies vaccination administered in a dog rabies-free or low-risk country ORMultiple entries into the US for the duration the rabies vaccination is valid (1 or 3 years) if it contains information about rabies vaccination administered in a dog rabies free or low-risk country |
Step 3: 2-10 days before travel | Take a photo of the dog and complete the CDC Dog Import Form.This form requires you to upload a picture (jpg, png, gif files only) of the dog showing its face and body.Dogs that will be less than one year of age at time of arrival should have the photograph taken within 10 days of travel.Ensure you enter the dog’s microchip number into this form correctly. This is very important.Submit a corrected form if any of the information on this form changes.Print copy of CDC Dog Import Form receipt you will receive in your email and ensure it accompanies the dog.Finalize travel arrangements with airline or transport company. |
Step 4: Day of travel | Present the following to the airline before boarding the dog:CDC Dog Import Form receipt andCertification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United form States (or other CDC-approved documentation)☐ Arrive at the location on CDC Dog Import Form receipt.☐ Present the following to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer:CDC Dog Import Form receipt andCertification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form (or other CDC-approved documentation) |
For more information, see: Frequently Asked Questions on CDC Dog Importations
If you have questions or need more information, please contact CDC-INFO at (800) 232-4636.
Last Reviewed: May 29, 2024
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of Global Migration Health (DGMH)
Note that this applies to Canadian Dogs entering the States and also American Dogs returning to the States.
Now it only makes sense that Canada will mirror the law as closely as possible to make it easier for American dogs entering Canada to return home after their visit. There is no official on when the Canadian restrictions (if any) will come into effect.
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Keep watching the CBC News Website (link at the top) for more info.
73bob