As of August 1, 2024, new rules from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) could make it more cumbersome to travel across the border with a dog. The CDC has updated its dog and cat importation regulations to prevent the reintroduction of dog rabies to the United States.
Starting on August 1, 2024, all dogs entering the United States must:
- Appear healthy upon arrival;
- Be at least six months of age;
- Be microchipped; and
- Be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form online submission receipt.
Although Canada is on the list of countries that the CDC considers to be “low risk” for rabies, these rules apply to all dogs, including dogs that left the United States and are returning. They also apply whether you are a U.S. citizen, legal U.S. resident, or foreign national.
Canadian Health Minister Mark Holland recently announced that the U.S. will introduce 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. He also indicated that Canada’s request for a grace period of a couple of months may be approved, but that has yet to be confirmed.
The complicated new regulations can be found on the CDC website. There’s also an online tool called DogBot, meant to help travellers determine what rules apply to their dogs.
Read more here.