Update: On July 22, 2024, the CDC changed the requirements for dogs entering the US from low-risk for rabies countries such as Canada, effective August 1st, 2024. "CDC values the feedback received from various countries, industry partners, and the public. CDC simplified the process for meeting requirements for dogs arriving from dog rabies-free or low-risk countries. Starting on August 1, 2024, dogs entering or returning to the United States that have been only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries in the past 6 months must meet the following requirements: be healthy and complete the CDC Dog Import Form. "Beginning on August 1st, 2024, stricter rules are coming into play regarding dogs crossing the border into the US. While this may seem largely irrelevant to standard US importers, these additional rules surrounding dogs may have a significant knock-on effect for your trade in ways that may not seem immediately obvious. 

The new regulations result from a potent attempt by the US government to stop rabies from entering the country. They have added several new rules and a fresh layer of complexity for not only those looking to import dogs but also travelers hoping to bring their furry friends into the US, even temporarily. The rules involve a limit on the dog's age, newly required documentation, and a full photo of the dog. 

So, why has a pretty standard update to the rules and regulations surrounding a typical import caused mounting concern from the public, government officials, carriers, and businesses throughout Canada? And, with more and more people calling for exemptions and a reexamination of these regulations before they’ve even come into effect - the Dog Days of Summer may have arrived for US Customs. 

What is Required to Bring a Dog into the US from Canada

Far beyond simply having to declare your dog at the border, the steps involved in bringing a dog into the US for any reason, even temporarily, stand to become a magnitude more complex on August 1st. Before discussing the fallout of the new regulations, it is worth having a look at some of the upcoming changes. 

This is a truncated version of the requirements that all dogs attempting to enter the US now must adhere to: 

• The dog must be at least six months old, appear healthy, and be microchipped
• You must provide a completed ‘CDC Dog Import Form.'
• We highly recommend filling this form out days in advance to avoid delays. Additionally, any changes, such as dates or ports of entry, will necessitate filling out a new form.

It is recommended you visit and carefully view the CDC’s Information Page not only for full details on what you will need for your dog to cross, but also for the latest as these regulations evolve.

As an Importer, Why Does this Matter to Me?

What makes this regulation update unique is the knock-on effect that it has had across the spectrum of travelers to the US. It’s not just permanent dog importers but vacationers, travelers with service dogs, and even day-trippers now must all provide the correct documentation for their pets before being allowed to cross. The fear is that the delays expected due to the quick turnaround of this regulation could be felt for many weeks and months to come. 

But, it’s even more significant than that, as not all of the affected travelers are crossing for recreation. The reality is that every dog entering the US needs to have these forms and processes completed to enter the US – including those that are owned by commercial highway carriers. 

A recent study suggested that nearly 50% of all truck drivers bring some kind of support animal with them on the job, and the president of the Canadian Trucking Alliance estimates that around 20% of those drivers have a dog. Businesses and concerned government officials are asking: What happens if a carrier with a shipment arrives at the border with a dog that does not meet these regulations? Will they be turned around? Will those carriers continue to want to take loads that travel into the US under these new regulations?

At first glance, the subject of this change seems minute, but the consequences and subsequent issues that seem to be mounting around something as mundane as dogs entering the US could turn out to be myriad and might have lasting effects for months after the implementation date. Fortunately, the matter is still being deliberated as the implementation date for these regulation changes nears, and anything could happen in the next few days. 

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