BY: SAMANTHA BARTLETT, DVM
With over 1 million dogs being imported into the U.S. each year, only 1% are required to be inspected by federal agencies. In response to this increased potential public health risk, the Healthy Dog Importation Act was introduced to both the House of Representatives (H.R. 1184) and the Senate (S.502).
The bill would require a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) for every dog entering the U.S. The certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian who has been accredited by a veterinary authority authorized by the Secretary of Agriculture. The certificates must be submitted to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and maintained in a centralized database made available multiple agencies including CDC and Homeland security to facilitate verification upon entry into the U.S. The bill requires all dogs coming into the U.S. to be permanently identified with a microchip. The bill also allows the Secretary to set fees for import permits that would help offset the costs of monitoring and oversight.
Multiple agencies and associations are supporting the bill including the AVMA, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians, American Association of Swine Veterinarians, and the American Kennel Club.
Effective August 1, 2024, the CDC has issued new federal regulations for dogs entering or re-entering the country. The requirements state the dogs must be healthy, at least 6 months old, have a microchip implanted prior to rabies vaccination, have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt and have government -endorsed documentation of vaccination and travel history. Dogs coming from countries deemed high-risk for rabies may have additional requirements.
The CDC has guidance for USDA-accredited veterinarians to clarify the new requirements that can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/importation/hcp/dog-importation/index.html.
The AVMA has created new resources to help answer veterinarian questions regarding the new requirements. The Frequently Asked Questions and downloads can be accessed at https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-travel-and-transport/new-cdc-dog-importation-requirements-faqs-veterinarians.
