As of August 1st, a new policy by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) aims to tighten regulations on dogs entering the United States. This move, designed to prevent the reintroduction of rabies, is generating a wave of confusion and frustration among pet owners, military families, and animal welfare organizations.
The new CDC regulations require that all dogs entering the U.S. be over six months old, microchipped, and healthy. They must also complete new forms and may face additional restrictions if traveling from any of the more than 100 countries identified as high-risk for rabies. Dogs vaccinated outside the U.S. might need to pass a blood test or quarantine for 28 days, raising costs for owners.
The policy shift has left military families and diplomats scrambling for alternatives. Liz Hensel, CEO of Leave No Paws Behind USA, noted that many families are “blindsided,” facing potentially thousands of dollars in costs for specialized pet shippers. Meanwhile, animal rescue organizations like Friends of Sochi Dogs face the prospect of halting operations due to the prohibitive costs and logistical challenges posed by the new requirements. Co-founder Anna Umansky expressed frustration, calling the new vaccination requirements “onerous and seemingly medically unnecessary”.
While the CDC defends its policy as necessary to align with international standards and address issues like fraudulent documentation, critics argue that the previous system was effective, catching cases without such stringent measures.
