Urgent Action Needed

Every year there are around 5,000 cases of rabies in the US, and in the past 8 years there have only been 4 cases of rabies from imported dogs. The CDC put out a new ruling that will make it virtually impossible for individuals or responsible non-profits to help dogs overseas on account of preventing the spread of rabies.

Please join Sochi Dogs and our international rescue partners to speak out and oppose these new rules!

Click the link comment before Sept 8: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/CDC-2023-0051-0001

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear Ashley C. Altenburger, J.D.,

I’m an animal lover and am writing today to oppose the proposed ruling, “Control of Communicable Disease; Foreign Quarantine: Importation of Dogs and Cats.”

I support the CDC’s intention to protect the United States against additional rabies cases, however, I do not agree that hardening the rules on dog importation is the way to achieve this goal. According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, there are approximately 5,000 confirmed cases of rabies in animals in the United States and the vast majority are found in wildlife. Why harden the rules on dog importation, especially for responsible non-profits and individuals?

Non-profit organizations in the United States and individuals go to extraordinary lengths to rescue dogs from wars and climate disasters around the world. We should not close our doors to this work but instead, continue to make it safe and feasible for it to continue. In 2020 dogs accounted for just 1% (36) of all rabies cases in the US. In the past eight years, there have only been 4 cases of rabies from imported dogs.

The new proposed laws are unclear and an overstep. They burden nonprofit rescue organizations and private individuals with extreme costs and requirements that are nearly impossible to achieve for those working in war-torn countries like Ukraine.

I strongly ask the agency to reconsider these proposed measures and refocus their efforts on rabies prevention to wildlife and livestock where regulations are truly needed to stop the disease in the United States.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]