New Rules Launched by CDC to Prevent Rabies in Bringing Dogs into the US
New regulations aimed at preventing the spread of canine rabies will be implemented in August for dogs entering the United States. These rules will apply to all dogs, including service dogs and those born in the US but returning from another country.
All dogs must be at least 6 months old, appear healthy upon arrival, be microchipped, and have a CDC Dog Import Form filled out. Additionally, CDC Dog Import permits currently in use will expire on August 31. The new rules also require dogs coming from high-risk countries to be protected against rabies.
Furthermore, titers from blood serology tests may be necessary before entry to ensure the presence of antibodies in the dog’s blood. Dogs without titer results will be quarantined for 28 days or until the results are submitted. To help determine the specific requirements for their dog, travelers can use the CDC’s DogBot tool.
While Jennifer Skiff from Animal Wellness Action criticizes the regulations as an overreach, the American Veterinary Medical Association supports them. The updates are intended to prevent dog rabies from being reintroduced into the US and to enhance the verification of imported dogs meeting the necessary requirements.
Overall, these new rules represent a crucial step in safeguarding public health and controlling the spread of rabies through imported dogs. The regulations will ensure that all dogs entering the country are adequately vaccinated and free from the risk of transmitting rabies to the US population.
“Hardcore web nerd. Twitteraholic. Analyst. Reader. Coffee guru. Travel ninja. Amateur troublemaker. Zombie geek.”