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Mitchell Animal Hospital

New Requirements for Dogs Entering or Returning to the US

Greetings from your team at Mitchell Animal Hospital,

We hope this message finds you and your furry companions well. We are reaching out to share important news regarding impending Centers for Disease Control (CDC) legislation that may impact travel to the United States starting August 1, 2024.

Starting August 1, 2024, dogs entering or returning to the United States must meet new, specific requirements based on their travel history in the past six months and their rabies vaccination status.

Requirements for all dogs:

1. Age: Dogs must be at least six months old at the time of entry or return to the United States.

2. Microchip: Dogs must have an implanted International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip:

  • This microchip must have been implanted before any required rabies vaccination.

  • The microchip number must be documented on all required forms and in allaccompanying veterinary records.

3. Health Appearance: Dogs must appear healthy upon arrival:

Dogs cannot enter the U.S. if they are carrying a disease contagious to people. Isolation, veterinary examination, and additional testing may be required at the importer's expense if the dog does not appear healthy upon arrival.

4. Import Form: Dogs must be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form receipt:

  • This form should be filled out online ideally 2-10 days before arrival; it can also becompleted just before travel if internet access is available. If the information on the formchanges before arrival, you must submit a new form.

5. Additional Documentation: This varies depending on the dog's travel history in the past six months and its rabies vaccination status.

Special Considerations for Dogs from Canada:

  • Rabies Vaccination: Dogs without rabies vaccinations may still enter the U.S. as Canada isconsidered a 'low risk' country (provided the dog has not traveled to certain countries within the past six months).

  • Documentation and Microchip: Required documentation and a microchip are necessary.

  • Single Entry Validity: Without a rabies vaccination, the entry paperwork is valid for only a single entry into the U.S. for up to 30 days. Vaccinated dogs can enjoy significantly longer validity and multiple entries.

Action steps for Pet Owners:

  • Check Requirements: Visit the CDC website and use the "DogBot" tool to learn the specificrequirements for your pet: CDC Dogbot: https://bit.ly/2rww2bq

  • Consult Your Veterinarian: Ensure your dog has the necessary vaccinations, microchip, andexaminations.

Please contact us if you need to schedule an appointment in order to meet these requirements. Thank you for your attention to this important update, and safe travels!

Warm regards,

The team at Mitchell Animal Hospital

(519) 743-1322