Bringing a Dog into the United States
Important Regulations for Bringing Dogs into the United States
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has established regulations to control the entry of dogs into the United States from other countries. These rules apply to all dogs, including:
- Puppies
- Service animals
- Dogs returning to the U.S. after leaving
The regulations apply to everyone, regardless of their citizenship or residency status.
Consequences of Not Following CDC Regulations
If you do not follow the CDC’s regulations for bringing dogs into the United States, your dog will not be allowed to enter the country. If your dog is denied entry, it will be sent back to the last country of departure at your expense.
Country of departure means the country where the last leg of your trip originated, not necessarily where your dog was born or where it lives.
Additional Regulations
In addition to the CDC’s regulations, you must also comply with the regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and your U.S. destination.
Commercial Importation
Dogs imported for commercial purposes (resale or adoption) have additional requirements from the USDA.
Bringing Your Dog to the US: Requirements
Bringing your furry friend to the US involves meeting certain requirements, which vary based on:
- Arrival Date: When your dog will enter the US
- Travel History: Where your dog has been in the past 6 months
- Rabies Vaccination: Where the vaccination was received (if needed)
To ensure a smooth entry, use the DogBot on the CDC website to ascertain the specific rules applicable to your dog’s situation.
Why Entry of Dogs to the United States Is Controlled
The United States has been rabies-free since 2007, but rabies is still prevalent in over 100 countries. This poses a significant risk to the US as imported dogs could potentially carry the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has implemented strict regulations to prevent the reintroduction of rabies into the US. These regulations are crucial for protecting the health and safety of both people and animals.
The CDC updated its dog and cat importation regulations in 2024 to address challenges related to fraudulent documentation and to further strengthen the safety measures. The updated regulations include standardized requirements for the minimum age of imported dogs, microchips, the CDC Dog Import Form, and other documentation. This standardization streamlines the importation process, making it safer and more efficient for dogs entering the US.