Health Minister Mark Holland is working to convince U.S. officials that Canadian dogs should be allowed to cross the border without restrictions, following the surprise announcement of new rules effective August 1.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is implementing these new rules for all dogs entering the U.S. to prevent rabies from entering the country.
Starting August 1, all dogs entering the U.S. must be at least six months old and meet rabies vaccination requirements, according to Mr. Holland, who expressed the Canadian government’s surprise at the sudden change.
These rules will impact Canadians traveling to the U.S., as well as Americans returning to the U.S. with their pets.
Similar to the U.S., Canada has not had any cases of canine rabies, which allowed Ottawa to negotiate some rule changes for Canadian dog owners.
Related Stories
The requirement for a specific microchip for dogs has been relaxed, allowing any type of microchip to be used. Additionally, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) no longer needs to verify vaccine certificates for dogs.
Mr. Holland believes that more changes are necessary and is optimistic about securing an exemption for Canada. Ottawa is advocating for the CDC to introduce a Canada-specific form that would allow dogs with valid rabies vaccinations to enter and re-enter the U.S.
There are indications that Canada may receive a grace period for pet owners crossing the border, Mr. Holland mentioned.
New Rules
The new regulations are part of the CDC’s 2024 update of its dog and cat importation regulations to prevent rabies reintroduction in the U.S.
The CDC’s website states that the updated regulation aims to ensure the safety of Americans and their pets by addressing challenges associated with international dog importations, including fraudulent documentation.
The new requirements for bringing a dog into the U.S. depend on the dog’s whereabouts in the six months prior to arrival and where the rabies vaccination was administered, according to the website.
All dogs must be at least six months old, healthy upon arrival, and microchipped.
Please provide an alternative version.
Source link
