Source : News 18
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States recently announced new regulations set to take effect on August 1, following the expiration of a temporary 2021 order. These rules aim to address challenges associated with international travel with dogs.
According to Emily Pieracci, a rabies expert at the CDC, the updated regulations respond to the growing trend of international pet travel. Approximately 1 million dogs enter the US annually, prompting the need for stricter measures.
Key provisions of the new rules include:
- Dogs must be at least 6 months old.
- They must be microchipped with a code for rabies vaccination verification.
- Completion of a new CDC import form is required.
- Vaccinations are mandatory for dogs from countries with prevalent rabies cases.
The regulations apply to dogs brought in by rescue groups, breeders, and pets accompanying their US owners. Additional restrictions may apply based on the dog's recent whereabouts, potentially including blood testing from CDC-approved labs.
These rules stem from concerns raised in 2015 when four rabid dogs were found to have entered the US. There was apprehension about further incursions and an increase in fraudulent or incomplete rabies vaccination records. Additionally, more puppies were being denied entry due to incomplete vaccination status.
