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CDC set to roll out new requirements for dog owners crossing the border

Owners will need rabies vaccines and microchips for all dogs entering the United States.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — July 4th week means the dog days of summer are here. Many in Western New York are throwing their kids and dogs in the car and escaping up north to try to beat the heat at the beach in Canada.

But new CDC mandates mean bringing your furry friend along is more complicated than before.

Starting Aug. 1, dog owners will have to prepare a list of five things for their pets to be able to re-enter the country. In the past, if you wanted to take your game of fetch across the border, all you needed to return home was your identification and proof of your dog’s rabies vaccine.

But now, the list is far more extensive.

The five requirements are as follows:

  1. Dog at least six months old

  2. An ISO-compatible microchip 

  3. A U.S.-issued rabies vaccine administered by a USDA-certified vet 

  4. CDC dog import form

  5. Appear healthy upon arrival

These changes come amid major concerns over dog rabies worldwide with over 110 different countries being classified as high-risk to the United States.

The disease hasn’t been a concern for the U.S. since it was eliminated in the states in 2007, but the growing concerns worldwide have prompted the CDC to introduce strict guidelines to prevent the disease from returning.

Amid the changes comes concern about cost by some dog owners. Obtaining a microchip and vaccinations from a certified veterinarian both result in out-of-pocket costs. However, the CDC is not charging a fee for the dog import form.

For more information on the changes, click here

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