CDC Relaxes Restrictions on Dog Imports From High-Risk Rabies Countries
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is modifying it restrictions on imported dogs from countries at a high-risk of rabies "to allow for more dog imports from a wider range of importers," the agency said in a notice released…
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May 27. The CDC suspended imports of such dogs last year (see 2106140047). "Based on improvements in CDC’s ability to track and monitor dog imports from high-risk countries, and the significant decrease in the dog importation issues that existed prior to the suspension," the agency will allow for more dog imports, it said. CDC will allow for dogs returning to the U.S. "from high-risk countries with a valid U.S.-issued rabies vaccination certificate" to enter "without a CDC Dog Import Permit," it said. Also, "all importers are now eligible to import dogs; therefore, there are no longer eligibility criteria as to who may import dogs," it said. The agency also created a new entry process for commercial shipments of dogs. "All commercial dog importers from high-risk countries may now import dogs provided that the dogs, upon entering the United States, are examined, revaccinated, and have proof of an adequate [rabies serologic titer test] from a CDC-approved laboratory upon arrival or are held in quarantine at a CDC-approved animal facility until they meet CDC entry requirements," it said.