Officials explain new CDC requirements for pet travel into the U.S.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) – For those wanting to travel with their pets this coming season, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has implemented some new requirements that might affect your plans.

In an effort to make traveling more efficient and prevent the spread of rabies, new regulations will be applied for pet owners looking to bring their dogs into the U.S. According to Rick Pauza, spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the new process entails owners filling out documentation showing that their pet is microchipped and vaccinated.

“If you’re bringing in a dog or any kind of animal into the United States, you declare it to the CBP officer primarily. They’ll send you into secondary just to review all the information,” Pauza said.

The requirements will change depending on whether the dog has visited a high-risk country for rabies within the last 6 months.

“Mexico is already a low-risk country for rabies, so the rules are a little bit more relaxed compared to high-risk countries. But, overall we just want to alert the public that these requirements will be taking effect,” Pauza added.

If a dog has not been to a high-risk country for rabies, the dog must be at least 6 months old, have a microchip, and have completed the necessary documentation such as a CDC Dog Import Form. For pets coming from an area with a high amount of rabies, they must have already been vaccinated against the viral disease and have the documentation to prove it. The owner must also provide a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. The dog must also have been microchipped prior to receiving the rabies vaccines.

The new rule will go into effect on August 1st. Cynthia Gutierrez, shelter manager at Laredo Animal Protective Society, says these regulations aren’t a significant increase from what was already in place.

“Sometimes they would ask, sometimes they wouldn’t, so now it’s just [that] they’re being a little more strict about checking in on your pet’s information to make sure all the dogs are fully vaccinated,” Gutierrez said. Overall, Gutierrez sees this as a positive step as it will ensure dogs are healthy.

For access to the forms needed for travel, or if you have any questions, you can head to www.cdc.gov/dogtravel.

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