While dreams of summer vacation likely begin to fill every worker’s thoughts these days, it might be high time to look into whether your travel plans include the United States.
That’s because the U.S. is tightening the rules on documentation requirements for family members like Tigger, Lucky and Jasper.
Starting August 1, dogs entering or returning to the United States must meet new, specific requirements depending on where they have been in the six months before entering the U.S. and where they received their rabies vaccines.
Dogs, which must be at least six months of age and appear healthy, must have an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip. And the chip must have been implanted prior to any required rabies vaccination.
But that’s not all, folks.
The microchip number must be documented on all required forms and in all accompanying veterinary records, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A form must be filled out online (ideally two to 10 days before arrival), but can also be completed right before travel (even in line at the border crossing) if you have internet access.
This form requires you to upload a clear photograph of the dog showing its face and body. Dogs that will be less than one year of age at time of arrival should have the photograph taken within 10 days before arrival.
And while cats are subject to inspection at ports of entry, a general health certificate is not required for domestic cats, although some airlines or states may require them.
For dogs arriving from countries with a high risk of dog rabies, they must be protected against rabies. (The current list does not include Canada.)
“Regulating dog importation helps protect the health and safety of people and their pets,” said port director Donovan Delude.
“The rabies variant carried by dogs was eliminated in the U.S. in 2007 and we’re working diligently in concert with the Center for Disease Control to prevent its reintroduction.”
Dog rabies is not controlled in over 100 countries, which is why there is an inherent risk in imported dogs, U.S. Customs said.
For more information about the new rules, click here.