14 US senators ask CDC to halt new border rules on dogs

The Centers for Disease Control’s new rules for bringing dogs back into the United States are changing as of Aug. 1. Without proper documentation, your dog won’t be allowed back into the U.S. (Kathleen Phalen Tomaselli | Houlton Pioneer Times)

Fourteen U.S. senators wrote in a letter to the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that new border control rules for dogs set to go into effect Aug. 1 are flawed and could have unintended, harmful consequences.

A bipartisan effort to block the legislation from taking effect in two weeks, led by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), found that the final version of the legislation was significantly different from the proposed version and that there was no opportunity for a second round of comment on the changes.

The senators said residents of their states are concerned about the burdensome effects of the rule and asked the CDC to give people affected by the changes time to comment and adjust the rule accordingly.

“We request that the CDC grant an extension of the August 1, 2024, effective date until regulations are developed that adequately protect public health and allow the importation of dogs from Canada and other low-risk countries,” the senators wrote in the letter they signed.

As stated in the letter, the proposed regulations include a limited exception to address the needs of pet owners who travel by land between countries that do not currently have rabies and are not likely to pose a public health threat, such as Canada or Mexico.

The more stringent final rule was established to prevent the spread of rabies and more closely align with World Health Organization standards for dogs, according to the CDC. It also addresses concerns about dogs entering the United States from countries with high risk of rabies and false documentation.

In short, all dogs entering the United States must appear healthy upon arrival, be at least six months old, be microchipped according to International Organization for Standardization standards, be vaccinated against rabies, and carry an online CDC Dog Import Form..

Senators said the final version of the legislation is too broad and would be burdensome to dog owners, breeders, truck drivers and athletes who often cross the U.S.-Canadian border for work, veterinary care, dog-related events, breeder co-ops or simply to visit friends and family.

“The unprecedented requirements in the final regulation, such as the minimum age for dogs to enter the United States at six months, the requirement for them to be microchipped prior to rabies vaccination, and additional documentation and certifications, would create significant barriers to entry of low-risk individuals from Canada into the United States and would have a disproportionate impact on our states’ border communities,” the letter reads.

“Furthermore, referring to the new rules as ‘dog import regulations’ will be misunderstood by the public and the lack of clarity means that many travellers who regularly cross the border with their pets, including cross-border commuters, did not understand that the rule would affect their business and therefore did not speak up in their comments,” the senators said.

Senators discussed in detail the scale of the economic impact on communities living along the Canada-U.S. border.

The new entry requirements could impact participation in major events held in the U.S., such as major luge competitions like the Can-Am race in Fort Kent, which contribute to the regional economy, the letter reads.

The senators said the Canadian Trucking Association has formally raised concerns about the potential impact on truck drivers who travel with their dogs while hauling goods into the U.S.

“Prior to this rule, CDC’s import policy appropriately focused on the high-risk group

countries in the case of rabies in dogs and aimed at avoiding unnecessary burdens on dog owners and importers of dogs from countries not considered high risk. Instead of maintaining this distinction, the final

“This rule imposes restrictions on all dogs,” the senators said.

The senators who signed the CDC letter are Collins, Klobuchar and Idaho Sen. James E. Risch, NH Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan, ND Sen. Kevin Cramer, Vermont Sen. Peter Welch, Maine Sen. Angus S. King Jr., Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo, MN Sen. Tina Smith, NY Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Montana Sen. Jon Tester, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and ND Sen. John Hoeven.