Changes to pet dog exports to US don’t change Cdn import regs

Advisory from CFIA:

Please be advised that the United States (US) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have changed their dog importation policy. For pet dogs (not imported for resale or adoption), rabies vaccination is now only required from countries considered high risk for importing dog rabies into the US. Canada is not considered as such and as a result, a valid rabies certificate is no longer a requirement for pet dogs exported from Canada to the US. Additional requirements, such as rabies vaccination, still apply to commercial dogs and dogs exported for adoption.

While the US requirements have changed, it is essential to note that the Canadian import requirements have not. A valid rabies vaccination certificate is still required for most categories of dogs to be imported into or returned to Canada. Care should be applied when providing advice to travelers so that unvaccinated dogs do not get stranded in the US after a temporary visit.

Some exceptions apply – service dogs and puppies under the age of 3 months old – as per the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS).

• The US import requirements can be found on the USDA and CDC websites.
• Canadian import requirements are found in AIRS and the Importing or Travelling with Domestic Dogs web page.