dog

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently issued new rabies vaccination and health regulations for all dogs entering the US. This includes service animals, and it also applies to dogs returning to the US. The new rabies regulations, which went into effect on August 1, 2024, require all dogs entering the US to:

• Be at least six months old
• Be healthy and disease-free
• Have an ISO-compatible microchip
• Have a US-issued Rabies Vaccination form (completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian) or a USDA export certificate
• Have a completed CDC Import Form receipt

Why the New Rabies Regulations?

These new regulations replace the old regulations, which were issued in 1956. So why are new rabies regulations necessary?

Although dog rabies was eliminated in 2007, a reintroduction is possible if dogs from high risk rabies countries enter the US unvaccinated. And the US imports approximately 1 million dogs each year.

And then there’s the issue of fraud. There has been widespread fraud in importation documents, and it’s felt that will subside with stricter rules, specifically an ISO-compatible microchip and vaccination and import forms that are completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian.

Additionally, unhealthy animals that were previously turned away at customs were sometimes housed in unsafe and unsanitary conditions by the importers. With the new rules in place, it’s hoped the incidence of unhealthy or diseased dogs at international border crossings will decrease. In other words since the new process will entail more time and money, it’s believed that only reputable exporters or responsible pet owners will likely complete it.

And finally, it will pretty much bring the US in line with the majority of other countries that have upped their entrance requirements in order to keep rabies at bay.

Rabies Regulations and Service Animals

Will the new rabies regulations be more time consuming for folks with service animals? Probably. People who fly with service animals already have to fill out the DOT forms that list the service animal’s veterinarian and vaccination information. Now a USDA-accredited veterinarian will have to fill out the CDC-required rabies vaccination form and the import form. It will likely involve an office visit and of course a vet bill.

The bigger problem could be finding a USDA-accredited veterinarian. This handy tool can help you find out if your vet is USDA-accredited, or locate one nearby who is. But start early, as some offices may be inundated with people wanting to travel, and others may just stop taking new patients because of the overload.

You’ll also need to make sure your dog’s microchip is ISO-compliant. This means that it has 15 digits which is the international standard. Some older chips may not make the cut, so you may have to have a new one implanted. Your vet can determine if the microchip is ISO-compliant.

And finally, when you do get the paperwork from the vet, make copies. The CDC advises people to travel with at least two copies, in case a customs agent needs to retain one.

And for more information about the rules and regulations about flying with your service animal, visit https://emerginghorizons.com/flying-with-a-service-animal-heres-what-you-need-to-know/.