Ruff times ahead: New international travel rules for dogs

Dog owners looking to bring their pets into the U.S. have some disappointing news.

Effective Wednesday, July 14, new regulations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will prohibit dogs from entering the U.S. if they originate from countries deemed high risk for rabies.

Dogs arriving from high-risk countries, or those that have been in such countries in the past six months, will not be permitted entry into the U.S.

The complete list of high-risk countries can be found on the CDC website, with notable mentions including popular destinations served by U.S.-flagged airlines such as Belize, Brazil, Colombia, and South Africa.

While the suspension is described as "temporary," the CDC order does not indicate a specific end date. The agency states that the ban aims to prevent the introduction of dog rabies into the U.S., which has been rabies-free since 2007.

"Dogs that are inadequately vaccinated pose a risk to public health due to their lack of protection against rabies. This disease is deadly for both humans and animals, and the importation of even one rabid dog could lead to transmission to humans, pets, and wildlife," according to the CDC website reads.

The CDC has reported a significant rise in the number of imported dogs being denied entry from high-risk countries. When dogs are turned away, they must return to their departure country. However, reduced flight schedules due to the pandemic have caused delays of several days for many dogs, resulting in illness and, in some cases, death.

If you are trying to bring your dog into the U.S. from one of the impacted countries, you can apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit, which will be granted only in limited, specific circumstances.

The review process for applications will take a minimum of six weeks, or 30 business days, so it's wise to start early if this order affects you. Keep in mind that if the CDC denies your application, there is no option to appeal, and you cannot apply for a permit upon arrival in the U.S.

Another important consideration for bringing a dog from a high-risk area is that if you gain CDC approval, you must enter the U.S. through New York's JFK airport, the only entry point equipped with a live animal care facility authorized by Customs and Border Protection.

This isn't the only recent update regarding pet travel. In late 2020, the Department of Transportation closed a significant loophole that had allowed emotional support animals to be classified as service animals.

After the updated regulation came into effect in early 2021, all major U.S. airlines began banning emotional support animals on both domestic and international flights.