Progress… But there is Still Work to Be Done!

The new CDC rules went into effect on August 1st and caused mass confusion at the border. The rules were so stringent that ordinary citizens traveling with their pets could not cross the border from Canada without extensive paperwork. Thanks to the outcry from the public and legislators, the rules were changed for dogs entering the U.S. from select “low-risk” countries. However, the rules remain in effect for dogs traveling from “high-risk” countries, which, according to the CDC, includes the majority of the world outside of Western Europe.

Now, expats, military families, and rescues are being forced to pay thousands of dollars to have their pets re-vaccinated at one of only six CDC-approved quarantine facilities upon landing. However, before entry, these dogs must undergo a rabies titer test at a CDC-approved laboratory to confirm they are vaccinated against rabies. This raises the question: why must dogs that have already been proven to be vaccinated against rabies at a CDC-approved laboratory be re-vaccinated upon entering the country?

The approximate cost of revaccination at one of these facilities ranges from $1,300 to $2,000, not including the airline ticket and customs broker fees. These facilities are private entities, and their fees are not regulated. Vets are only on staff for limited hours during the day, so travelers arriving outside of those hours are forced to pay additional overnight boarding fees. Americans returning home with pets from abroad, as well as rescues and military families, simply cannot afford this. Moreover, these revaccinations are unnecessary, as the titer test has already proven that these pets are vaccinated against rabies.

We must continue to put pressure on the CDC to revoke these rules so that dogs arriving from “high-risk” countries with a titer test from CDC-approved laboratories no longer need to be re-vaccinated upon arrival. The CDC has already revised many of their original dog-import regulations, and we need to keep pushing for this change.

Please write and call your representative in Congress and ask them to urge the CDC to reconsider these nonsensical rules. Your voice can make a difference!

Find your representative: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
The phone number for the U.S. House of Representatives switchboard is 1-202-224-312

The new CDC dog import rules impact...

The new CDC dog import rules are already wreaking havoc for travelers, expats, military families, and rescues. 

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Trying to return from summer vacation with your dog? — NOT POSSIBLE 
Living abroad and traveling home for the holidays with your dog? — NOT POSSIBLE 
Serving in the military and looking to return with a dog? — NOT POSSIBLE 
Rescuing a dog from a war zone? — NOT POSSIBLE 
Competing in a dog show abroad and coming home? — NOT POSSIBLE 
Accepting a job abroad and taking your dog? — HOPE YOU’RE OK NOT RETURNING 

As of August 1 the following airlines have banned ALL dogs on their flights bound for the US because they cannot comply with the new CDC rules. 

1. Lufthansa

2.  Finnair: https://www.finnair.com/us-en/flight-information/travel-updates/restrictions-on-travelling-with-dogs-to-the-usa-as-from-1-august-2024--3522796 

3. Discover Airlines: https://www.discover-airlines.com/en/information/traveling-with-pets/ 

4. Austrian Airlines: https://www.austrian.com/us/en/travelling-with-animals 

5.  Swiss Airlines: https://www.swiss.com/au/en/prepare/special-care/animals-travelling 

6. Air Dolomiti: https://www.airdolomiti.eu/travel-info/pets 

7. Condor Airlines: https://www.condor.com/us/flight-preparation/baggage-and-animals/travelling-with-pets/conditions-and-regulations-for-transport-and-carriage.jsp 

8. Brussels Air: https://www.brusselsairlines.com/us/en/special-care/pets/cats-and-dogs-in-the-hold 

9. Eurowings: TBC 

10. LOT: https://www.lot.com/us/en/journey/special-services/traveling-with-pets 

Call your representatives TODAY to tell them to delay the new CDC dog import rules until a fair and adequate solution can be reached.

Find your representative: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
The phone number for the U.S. House of Representatives switchboard is 1-202-224-312

Strict rules about flying with dogs start on August 1, after months of confusion.

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The new CDC rules go into effect on August 1 and they are impacting everyone: travelers, rescuers, and even military families. Quarantine facilities are concerned about the demand at their facilities and ordinary families are worried about costs.

The CDC has not been able to provide a clear answer to explain the need to revaccinate pets AFTER they've received a titer test at a CDC-approved lab.

Sochi Dogs co-founder, Anna Umansky, spoke with USA Today about how it's going to impact our rescue work in Ukraine. Read more.

Dogs Around the World Need Your Help - Call Your Representative Today to Delay the New CDC Dog Import Rules

On August 1 new rules from the CDC will make it nearly impossible for anyone to enter the US with a pet. These rules affect everyone -  military families, anyone currently on vacation, rescues, breeders, show dogs, veterinarians etc. 

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Less than 3 weeks before the rules go into effect but there is a lot of confusion and the CDC is not able to provide clear answers or the paperwork needed. The forms required for dogs to enter the country are still not available. 

Airlines will be forced to review the CDC paperwork and take legal responsibility for dogs aboard their flights. They don’t have staff or proper training to do so. Lufthansa is the first airline to ban all dogs aboard their flights destined for the US. Other airlines are now following suit. This means dogs will not be able to fly into the country. 

Representative Langworthy of NY has written to the CDC to ask them to delay these draconian pet travel rules for 18 months so we can develop a better, balanced approach to regulate dogs entering the country. 

Please contact the CDC, US senators, and congressmen to request a postponement of the effective date for the new CDC requirements regarding bringing animals into the US and traveling with pets until a more fair and measured approach can be put into place. 

Find your representative: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
The phone number for the U.S. House of Representatives switchboard is 1-202-224-312
CDC contacts: 1-404-718-3660 or 1-800-232-4636;
CDCanimalimports@cdc.gov

Sample message to your representative:

Dear [Recipient's Name],

I am a constituent from [Your Location].

I’m writing with regards to the new CDC dog import guidelines that are set to go into effect on August 1. These measures will impact ordinary Americans traveling with their pets, rescues helping save animals from areas of conflict, diplomats, American citizens working abroad, and military families.

The CDC is not prepared to implement these rules, and they represent a significant overreach of the agency. With less than three weeks before the rules go into effect, and during a peak travel period, the CDC is unable to provide clear answers or the necessary paperwork for dogs to enter the country. The new required forms are still not available to the public.

The rules place a legal burden on airlines to review CDC paperwork. Without the time or training, airlines are now simply banning dogs on all flights bound for the US. Lufthansa is the first airline to ban all dogs aboard their flights destined for the US and others are likely to follow suit. This means anyone traveling outside the country for the summer break with their pet will not be able to return home.

I’m asking you to please contact the CDC to request a delay of these rules until a more fair and measured approach can be put into place. Representative Langworthy of NY has already called on the agency to do so.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]