Dog travel laws set to change

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) – If you are traveling across the border for vacations this summer with your family pet, it is important to check all legal requirements to do so. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is enforcing new guidelines beginning August 1.

The CDC says tightening restrictions are mostly focused on rabies control. Rabies cases are on the rise worldwide, though in recent years they have declined in the United States. Although preventable, they say the disease is close to 99 percent fatal.

In light of this, if your dog does not have a 15-digit ISO microchip, any previous rabies vaccinations will not be considered valid for re-entry into the United States. Not all previous vaccine records will be accepted, so it’s best to check your status with your veterinarian. Also, no dog will be allowed into the country within 28 days of getting the vaccine. The inoculation process takes 28 days to work, so during that time the animal is considered unvaccinated.

If you are traveling to an area that is considered high risk for dog rabies, including many countries in the Middle East, Africa, or Southeast Asia, your dog might need its blood drawn for a rabies test. Israel and Timor-Leste are being added to this high-risk list as of August 1.

Please note that support dogs and service dogs are not exempt from any of these health requirements.

Also beginning on August 1, any puppy under 6 months old will not be allowed back into the United States if it leaves the country, no matter their microchip or vaccination status. That means your puppy’s trip across the border could be extended until its six-month birthday, so plan accordingly.

If traveling to the Lower 48, consider traveling by plane instead by car through Canada. Taking your puppy on a plane will still require the standard health certificate, but not the extra demands of physically crossing a border.

These regulations only apply to dogs. If you are traveling back from a different country with a cat, it will be subject to inspection for any obvious infectious diseases, and certain airlines might have their own regulations; but there is no country-wide legal need for a cat to have a rabies vaccination.

Of course, before you pack your furry friends along with you, make sure you read up on any local laws that may apply at your destination.

The CDC’s full list of requirements can be found here.

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