Health Minister Mark Holland said he is “concerned” about upcoming changes to rules that allow travellers to bring their dogs from Canada into the United States.
“I am quite concerned, if I’m honest, about the regulations that are being brought in by the United States, as of Aug. 1, requiring a number of new measures for folks bringing their dogs across the border,” he said in Ottawa on Wednesday, according to CBC.
Holland noted that the new U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rules are going to affect Americans who travel to Canada as well, as they will also face them when travelling back home.
“I think that was a very poorly thought-out bit of business and it’s going to have a huge impact for Americans,” he said.
Among the changes to the rules, said the health minister, is a more relaxed requirement for microchipping, with any type of microchip now accepted.
The new rules will also no longer require that Canadian Food Inspection Agency veterinarians verify vaccine certificates for dogs, allowing any veterinarian in Canada to certify that the dog has been vaccinated for rabies.
A specific form for Canada that will allow a dog to enter and re-enter the U.S. for as long as their rabies vaccination is valid is expected to be introduced.
Holland also said there have been “very positive indications” of an approval on a request for a grace period of a couple of months.
“We made good progress,” he noted. “This significantly improves the situation, but it’s not enough.”
The health minister also said that every time a dog crosses the border its owners will be required to fill out a CDC form and attach a photo so it can be compared to the dog seeking entry to the U.S.
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