Dog owners are getting a reprieve on what would have been an involved process for dogs entering the U.S. - so long as Canada remains a rabies-free or low-risk country for the disease.
Earlier this year, the American Center for Disease Control (CDC) announced new processes for bringing dogs into the country that included microchips, vaccination certificates and/or trips to veterinarians, even from countries considered canine rabies-free (which Canada falls under).
For people driving from Vancouver to Washington state, it would have been a significant barrier to short trips over the border.
On Monday, July 23, just days before the regulations were due to start in August, the CDC announced a new, simpler process. The American agency noted the changes were due to "feedback received from various countries, industry partners, and the public."
"Starting on August 1, 2024, dogs entering or returning to the United States that have been only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries in the past 6 months must meet the following requirements: be healthy and complete the CDC Dog Import Form," reads the update on the CDC's website.
The form itself is a simple digital document about two pages long (filled out online) that requires basic info about who owns the dog, its age and breed, and the travel destination.
The list of countries that are considered high-risk is not short with dozens of nations ranging from Brazil to Armenia to Kenya to Thailand. Anyone who has travelled outside of Canada and the U.S. with their dog should review the list and plan for more paperwork before arriving at the border.
