New US Border Laws May Mean Rover Has to Stay Home
July 17, 2024 Marsha Mowers
New border crossing regulations taking effect next month may mean Canadians will have to leave their beloved pups at home, at least until the details of the new law are sorted.
As of August 1, the American Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will require all dogs crossing (with their owners!) into the USA to be equipped with a microchip and present CDC dog import forms, among other requirements such as being over six months old and “appearing healthy.”
Sounds fairly easy enough, however one of the “other requirements” is an export form from the home country with an endorsement from an “official government veterinarian” and that’s something that Canada’s Food and Inspection Agency (CFIA) says they’re unable to provide.
Canada’s federal website explains “the CFIA does not play a role in U.S. State level requirements.”
“Please note that the CFIA is currently unable to provide endorsement for export documents for dogs entering the U.S., as the process is being discussed with the CDC,” the CFIA website says.
“The CFIA recognizes the concerns and impact that the CDC requirements have on Canadians. We have shared this information with the CDC to support the development of a more streamlined process for Canadians.”
The US is clamping down on what they call the spread of diseases such as rabies, from dogs to humans. According to the CDC, the number of cases in animals in the U.S are around 4,000 each year, with more than 90% occurring in wildlife like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. The CDC reports about 60,000 Americans are treated for rabies every year.
The CDC says that’s a dramatic change from the 1960s, when domestic animals, mainly dogs, represented most of the rabies cases.
According to both the CDC and CFIA, both sides are working towards a solution and an update is expected shortly. Full details can be found on Canada’s Government website.
About the Author
Marsha Mowers made the move to editorial side of travel after many years working in destination marketing where she represented places such as NYC and Las Vegas. Her experience on “both sides” of the industry has put her in a unique position to provide valuable context to both readers and trade partners. Marsha also serves as Director of Content for TravelPulse Canada
