U.S. Border 'Puppy Ban': What It Means For You And Your Pet

A new federal rule on the importation of dogs from all other countries into the U.S. has been criticised by charities who have labelled it a "puppy ban."

The new legislation prohibits entry for any dog less than 6 months old. This was already a rule for commercial dog imports under the U.S. Department of Agriculture but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) expands the restrictions.

The legislation risks families becoming separated from their dogs, if they fail to meet the new requirements, authorities will have the power to return the dog to the country of origin within 72 hours of arrival.

New laws are set to be implemented nationwide starting August 1 after the CDC announced they're tightening regulations.

The Humane Society of the United States has criticised the new legislation and said it "bans puppies" from entering the U.S.

Anyone planning to take their dog on a summer vacation should check the new laws, that will take effect later this year, before travelling.

To assist pet owners with the new legislation, the CDC has launched Dogbot, which is supposed to help users determine if their pet is eligible and meets the entry requirements.

So what are the new regulations and requirements that will govern the importation of dogs into the United States?

The Requirements

For those traveling with a dog over six months old, pre-travel proof of the dog's microchipping, along with the owner's contact information and dog details, must be submitted through a CDC-approved system.

If your dog does not have a 15-digit ISO microchip, any previous rabies vaccinations will not be considered valid for re-entry into the United States.

This system generates an automatic receipt that must be presented to the airline before boarding. Additional requirements vary based on the dog's travel origin and vaccination status, potentially causing significant delays.

Furthermore, the rule mandates that all dogs entering the U.S. be microchipped, posing an extra challenge for families fleeing from a humanitarian crisis abroad with their pets.

Not all previous vaccine records will be accepted, so make sure you double-check your dog's status with your veterinarian.

No dog will be permitted to enter the country within 28 days of getting the vaccine. The inoculation process takes 28 days to work, which means the animal is considered unvaccinated until after that time passes.

If you are traveling to high-risk areas for dog rabies, which include the Middle East, Africa, or Southeast Asia, your dog may be required to complete a rabies test.

It should be noted that support dogs and service dogs are not exempt from any of these health requirements. If your dog does not meet the criteria, then you risk losing your pet.

Members of the public are encouraged to prepare for these changes, particularly those traveling internationally with their pets.

Charities have told Newsweek of their concerns over the so-called "puppy ban".

What do experts have to say?

A spokesperson from Paws With A Cause told Newsweek: "The new regulations on dog travel are unfortunate for Assistance Dog owners and the organizations that provide Assistance Dogs. These dogs are trained to help reduce the number of obstacles people with disabilities face in their day-to-day lives, including while traveling.

"The additional steps and paperwork these regulations require to travel with an assistance dog create yet another challenge for these individuals. Paws With A Cause has over 350 clients with assistance dogs in the United States, and some of them travel internationally, whether for work or leisure.

"Forcing people to provide additional documentation before traveling with their assistance dog seems to bring about the opposite effect the Americans with Disabilities Act intended, which was to make life more accessible for people with disabilities."

The Humane Society of the United States said in a post: "We are disappointed in this final rule. It is not what we'd hoped for or what we campaigned for.

"The new rule's strictures are especially disheartening considering that from the outset we supported the intention and core objective of the CDC in issuing a rule.

"As the summer travel season begins to hit full stride, we wanted to advise the traveling public of this new CDC requirement impacting the importation of dogs that is slated to take effect on August 1 so the public can plan their travel accordingly," said Director, Field Operations Donald Kusser, Laredo Field Office.

"Although it is a new CDC requirement, it is our frontline CBP officers and agriculture specialists that are tasked with ensuring compliance with this new requirement," he added.

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