Following Push from Senator Collins, CDC Revises Rule for Bringing Dogs into the United States

Washington, D.C. – Following an effort led by U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that it will be making critical revisions to its flawed dog importation rule.  A major and problematic provision of the rule has been delayed until at least April 2025 to allow more time for review.

“The revisions announced by CDC are a step in the right direction and will lessen the burdensome requirements on frequent travelers from border communities in Maine and our neighbors in Canada,” said Senator Collins.  “While I am pleased the CDC listened to some of the concerns voiced by responsible dog owners ahead of the August 1st deadline, I remain concerned about the overly broad components of the rule, like the unprecedented six-month age requirement, particularly for dogs coming from dog-rabies-free countries like Canada.  As I discussed with the Canadian Health Minister Mark Holland, the CDC has improved its rule, and we will continue to work together to evaluate implementation and press for further changes as necessary.”

Senator Collins previously raised concerns that the CDC’s rule would create unnecessary requirements for individuals traveling with their dogs across Canada's borders into the United States.  She wrote to the CDC twice this month calling on the federal agency to not implement this misguided rule on August 1st as planned, and instead postpone implementation until a regulation can be drafted that incorporates feedback from stakeholders and affected parties, allows the importation of dogs from canine-rabies-free like Canada as well as low-risk countries, and protects public health.

Following feedback from Senator Collins and other border state Senators, Canadian health officials, and key stakeholders like the American Kennel Club, the CDC is delaying and simplifying a burdensome component of the rule. Dogs entering the U.S. from low-risk or dog rabies-free countries like Canada will no longer need veterinarian signed or endorsed forms until at least April 1, 2025. 

For dogs entering the U.S. from low-risk or dog-rabies-free countries like Canada, the revised rule requires travelers to fill out one form—the CDC Dog Import Form.  The CDC Import Form can be filled out the day of travel, and the receipt can be shown to airlines and border officials as a printed copy or by phone. This form requires a simple self-attestation that the dog has not been in a high-risk country in the past six months. Additionally, based on revisions announced by CDC, the form will be good for travel into the U.S. for six months from the date of issuance and can be used for multiple entries. 

Despite this meaningful update, CDC will continue to require all dogs entering the U.S., including those from low-risk and dog-rabies-free countries, to be at least six-months old and be microchipped.

Prior to this announcement, Senator Collins heard from Mainers who expressed concern with the availability of veterinarians to certify the paperwork previously required for dogs vaccinated in the U.S.  The announced changes should alleviate some of the cost and time spent on compliance, such as having to get paperwork certificated frequently. This would have been particularly burdensome for regular travelers and those that travel between Maine and Canada for sled dog races or other dog competitions.

Click HERE to read the full letter Senator Collins wrote to the CDC on July 11th and HERE to read the bipartisan letter she led with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) on July 17th.

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