CDC’s new rules should fetch attention of people bringing dogs into US

May 8

Karah Rucker Anchor

By Karah Rucker (Anchor), Evan Hummel (Producer), Jake Maslo (Video Editor)

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In an effort to curb the transmission of rabies, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is implementing new regulations for dogs arriving in the United States from abroad. Beginning Aug. 1, all incoming dogs must be at least six months old and have a microchip. The announcement came from the CDC on Wednesday, May 1.

Additionally, dogs from countries where rabies is common must be vaccinated against the disease. These measures will replace a temporary order from 2021. The order stopped the entrance of canines from more than 100 nations where rabies is still common.

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The choice of six months as a minimum age requirement aligns with the age at which dogs can receive their first rabies vaccination. Microchipping serves as a way that officials can verify the rabies vaccination status of dogs. Microchips can also confirm that owners completed the CDC import form.

These updated regulations mark the first significant change to CDC dog entrance policies since 1956. The change comes amidst a rise in international pet travel and an increasing number of rescue organizations and breeders operating outside U.S. borders. However, widespread vaccination efforts in the 1970s eradicated the strain of rabies typically associated with dogs in the U.S.

Since 2015, there have only been four incidents of rabies-infected dogs entering the country. CDC officials blamed an uptick on incomplete or fake rabies vaccination certificates.

The CDC cautions that, depending on a dog’s history of travel, a blood test might be required to confirm immunity to rabies. Fake vaccination records have become more common amongst owners of young dogs under six months old.

However, the CDC’s move has faced criticism. Animal welfare advocate Jennifer Skiff, speaking to The Associated Press, presented the challenges faced by diplomats and military personnel in meeting these requirements, sometimes forcing them to leave their dogs behind. She called the new regulations unwarranted and excessively costly.

Tags: animal welfare, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dogs, Travel, TSA

[KARAH RUCKER]

IN AN EFFORT TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF RABIES–

THE C-D-C IS PUTTING NEW RESTRICTIONS ON DOGS COMING INTO THE U-S FROM OTHER COUNTRIES.

STARTING AUGUST 1ST, ALL DOGS ENTERING THE NATION MUST BE AT LEAST SIX MONTHS OLD AND MICROCHIPPED.

WHILE DOGS COMING FROM COUNTRIES WHERE RABIES IS COMMON MUST BE VACCINATED.

THE NEW REGULATIONS WILL GO INTO EFFECT AFTER A TEMPORARY ORDER FROM 2021 EXPIRES.

THAT ORDER SUSPENDED BRINGING IN K-9S FROM MORE THAN 100 COUNTRIES WHERE RABIES IS STILL A PROBLEM.

THE SAFEGUARDS USE THE AGE OF SIX-MONTHS FOR A THRESHOLD BECAUSE THAT’S THE AGE DOGS CAN FIRST BE VACCINATED.

HAVING A MICROCHIP UNDER THE SKIN ALLOWS OFFICIALS TO SCAN AND VERIFY A RABIES VACCINATION.

THE MICROCHIP ALSO SHOWS THE COMPLETED C-D-C IMPORT FORM.

C-D-C REGULATIONS HAVEN’T BEEN UPDATED SINCE 1956.

THE CHANGE COMES AS MORE PEOPLE TRAVEL INTERNATIONALLY WITH PETS.

THERE ARE ALSO MANY RESCUE GROUPS AND BREEDERS LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE U.S.

THE TYPE OF RABIES THAT TRADITIONALLY SPREADS IN DOGS WAS ELIMINATED IN THE U.S. THROUGH VACCINATION IN THE 1970S.

SINCE 2015, ONLY 4 DOGS WITH RABIES WERE IDENTIFIED ENTERING THE COUNTRY.

AND C-D-C OFFICIALS WERE REPORTEDLY SEEING AN INCREASE IN INCOMPLETE OR FAKE RABIES VACCINATION CERTIFICATES.

THE MOVE DOESN’T COME WITHOUT CRITICISM.

ANIMAL WELFARE ADVOCATE JENNIFER SKIFF TOLD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DIPLOMATS AND MILITARY PERSONNEL OFTEN HAVE TROUBLE MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS. FORCING THEM TO LEAVE THEIR DOGS BEHIND. SHE CALLED THE NEW RULES WARRANTLESS AND TOO COSTLY.

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