Changes to U.S. dog import regulations: What they are and why they matter for dogs and for people

The CDC revised its proposed changes, which would have required validation from a vet, to require only a simple form. (Unsplash/CDC)

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is implementing new border rules for dogs entering the United States as of Aug. 1. However, the new rules going into effect are not as onerous as the ones originally planned.

The previously proposed rules required that dogs travelling to the U.S. from Canada be accompanied by an onerous CDC Dog Import Form validated by a veterinarian before each visit into the United States. This was in addition to requirements that the dog: