Emergencies

Bringing your dog and other pets into the US – new CDC requirements to prevent rabies

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September 28th is World Rabies Day. This day is meant to raise awareness about rabies and ultimately to prevent rabies from occurring.

Sadly, in many countries in the world people are still infected and almost 59,000 people are killed every year from this fatal disease. Rabies is 100% preventable, but people are still exposed every year which is why this is such an important issue. (For more information about Rabies and World Rabies Day, check out our blog, here.)

Thanks to extensive vaccination programs, the risk of rabies is low in Canada, but it still occurs. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, in 2024 there were 42 confirmed cases of rabies in Canada and only 6 in British Columbia. All the cases in BC were found in bats.

This year, in an effort to control rabies in the United States (US), the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a set of new guidelines for dogs entering the US. Since Canada is a low-risk country for rabies, the requirements are somewhat less than for dogs arriving from high-risk countries.

We often transfer clients and patients between our sister hospital in Bellingham, Washington (BBVSH Bellingham) and our Emergency and Specialty hospital in Surrey, BC, Canada (BBVSH Surrey) to see a specialist that is best suited to our patients’ needs. If you are required to take your dog across the border, our best advice to pet owners is to read the guidelines, be prepared, and have all documentation ready to present, if asked.

What are the new requirements for dogs entering the US from Canada?

Information for exporting dogs (and other pets) to the U.S. is available on the following websites:

Canada is considered a “low-risk” country for rabies. The requirements for dogs coming from Canada are listed on this page of the CDC website, but here is a brief summary.

Dogs must:

  • Be at least 6 months of age,
  • have an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compliant microchip,
  • appear healthy upon arrival,
  • have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt (must be submitted through the CDC website),
  • have additional documentation, which varies depending on where the dog has been in the past 6 months before entering the U.S., and the dog’s rabies vaccination status.

How dog owners can prepare in advance for travel to the US

  • Ensure your dog has an ISO-compliant microchip.
    • If your dog does not have an ISO-compliant microchip, contact a Canadian licensed veterinarian to make an appointment to implant an ISO-compliant microchip.
  • Have a copy of a Canadian veterinary record (for example, a vaccination certificate, health certificate, invoice or purchase records, etc.) from at least 6 months to 1 year (at latest) prior to the travel date.
    • For example, if you plan to travel to the U.S. with your dog on September 1, 2024, your Canadian veterinary record must be from September 1, 2023 to March 1, 2024
  • Ensure your dog’s ISO-compliant microchip number is accurately recorded on all veterinary records and documentation.
  • Ensure your dog’s rabies vaccine is up to date:
    • Although rabies vaccination is not currently a mandatory requirement by the CDC or the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for personal pet dogs that have been in Canada for the past 6 months, the CFIA is still finalizing the process for Canadian dogs travelling to the U.S. and it could become required or be required in certain situations.
    • Dogs are also subject to individual state requirements – many of which require rabies vaccination.
    • Rabies vaccination is required by most Canadian Provinces/Territories and is a requirement by the CFIA for dogs entering Canada.
    • For the rabies vaccination to be considered valid by the CDC, it must be done after the ISO-compliant microchip has been implanted. If your dog is due for rabies vaccination, ensure they have an ISO-compliant microchip implanted before vaccinating.

Dogs entering the U.S. may also be subject to requirements from other federal agencies and state authorities. It is the owner/exporter’s responsibility to ensure that animals comply with all federal and state requirements.

A Canadian licensed veterinarian should complete and issue any required documentation (for example, vaccination certificate, veterinary health certificate). Endorsement (i.e. stamp and signature) by an official veterinarian of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is not required and the CFIA does not play a role in U.S. state level requirements.

For more information, please also visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding the transport of your animal to the US from our hospital, please contact us or speak with your BBVSH veterinary specialist.

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