PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (WAGM) – The CDC will be re-writing the rules they put in place pertaining to dogs crossing the United States border, according to an announcement made on Monday.
Sarah Brooks, the vice president of the Can-Am International Sled Dog Race, says this is good news for mushers and Aroostook County dog owners that frequently travel across the border.
“This is a huge sigh of relief even though we don’t know what the new regulations are going to be,” Brooks tells WAGM.
The lead up to this announcement from the CDC began months ago.
At the beginning of 2024, the CDC announced they would impose new rules for dogs crossing the border into the United States – under these rules, dogs must be microchipped, be at least 6 months old, and had to have significant paperwork that was certified by two veterinarians.
After hearing concerns from border communities, Senator Susan Collins wrote to the CDC, explaining that these new rules would have a negative impact on Aroostook County, particularly the Can-Am International Sled Dog Race, where many participants travel to the race through the Canadian Border.
“It would have created a lot of paperwork involved, visits to vets, and there aren’t that many veterinarians that are available near the Canadian border, and so that would have been a problem as well, just getting those certifications,” explains Senator Collins.
In September, these rules were temporarily relaxed until next April. Under the relaxed rules only one form is needed to enter the country.
Then, this week, the CDC announced they would be rewriting the regulations altogether, this time with stakeholder input.
“The director of the CDC, Dr. Mandy Cohen, contacted me to tell me that CDC is essentially going to start all over on these rules starting probably in April,” says Senator Collins.
Brooks adds that community involvement will be critical going forward to make sure that the new regulations accommodate the needs of local dog owners.
“Once the CDC does come up with their new regulations there will be a period for public comment,” says Brooks. “I think we have to be very vigilant about being on top of what the CDC is proposing, and I think we have to be very very vigilant, not only on behalf of the Can-Am, but on behalf of many of the stakeholders.”
Brooks says that the upcoming Can-Am race will not be heavily impacted by the current relaxed regulations, but notes that other dog industries, such as breeders and dog showers, are still impacted by the rules.
The regulations were originally put in place to limit canine rabies from entering the United States. However, both the US and Canada are considered free of canine rabies.
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