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LOS INDIOS, TX—The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the US Consulate in Mexico, announced this week that, starting on Aug. 1, 2024, dogs entering or returning to the United States, including at land ports of entry, must meet new, specific requirements depending on where they have been in the six months before entering the United States and where they received their rabies vaccines (if required).
According to a CDC press release, all dogs entering or returning to the US must be at least six months of age, have an ISO-compatible microchip, appear healthy on arrival, have a “CDC Dog Import Form” receipt, and meet other requirements as detailed on the CDC’s website.
Dogs that do not meet all entry requirements or do not have accurate or valid forms will be denied entry to the United States and returned to the country of departure at the importer’s expense, warns the CDC. The CDC is also asking the public to use its DogBot tool to determine which requirements apply.
All suspension rules remain in effect through July 31, 2024. Dogs entering the United States before August 1, 2024, must follow the rules of the temporary suspension. The CDC asks the public to find relevant information (and use the DogBot) at “What Your Dog Needs to Enter the United States” on the CDC website, again stressing that on August 1, the new requirements become effective.
The documents required depend upon where the dog was vaccinated for rabies, and what countries they have been in during the six months before traveling to the United States.
Required documents for dogs with a current rabies vaccination administered in the United States that have been in a high-risk country for dog rabies within six months before entry are as follows: the CDC Dog Import Form, available on the CDC website, must be completed by the importer of the dog. It is free and can be completed on the day of travel (the CDC recommends completing it a few days before travel).
Importers must also submit a new form if any information changes, such as dates of travel or the port of entry alternates. Dog owners will also need to know their dog’s microchip number and must upload a photo of the dog showing its head and body.
After submitting the form, importers will receive a receipt. They must show that receipt (printed or on their phone) to airline staff or port of entry officials.
The Certification of a U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form must be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before the dog leaves the United States. USDA-accredited veterinarians can access the form and its instructions at the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS) Help Page. Instructions for veterinarians are available on the CDC website under Instructions to Complete the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination Form.
During the transition period (which will expire July 31, 2025), dogs entering the US require a US Department of Agriculture (USDA)-endorsed export health certificate that was issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before July 31, 2025, and documents that prove the dog’s age (at least six months), microchip number, and valid rabies vaccination administered in the United States.
This document can be shown instead of the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form during the transition period. The rabies vaccination must be valid (not expired) on the date of return or the form will be invalid. Documents for dogs that departed the United States and have been only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries during the six months before entry are also required.
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