New US Rules Require Dogs To Be Microchipped For Rabies

This undated electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows rabies virions, dark and bullet-shaped, within an infected tissue sample. All dogs

New government rules published on Wednesday mandate that all dogs entering the U.S. from other countries must be at least 6 months old and microchipped to prevent the spread of rabies. The regulations also require vaccination for dogs coming from countries where rabies is prevalent. These rules apply to dogs brought in by breeders, rescue groups, or traveling with their U.S. owners.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the regulations to address current challenges, with a focus on preventing the spread of rabies. The new rules, effective August 1, replace a temporary 2021 order that suspended the entry of dogs from over 100 countries where rabies is still a concern.