In a bid to prevent the spread of rabies in the United States, new government regulations have been published stating that all dogs entering the country must be at least 6 months old and microchipped. The rules were issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and take effect from August 1, 2021, when a temporary 2021 order expires.

Under the updated regulations, vaccination is mandatory for dogs that have been in countries where rabies is prevalent. This requirement applies to dogs brought in by breeders, rescue groups, and pets traveling with their U.S. owners. The aim behind these rules is to address the challenges posed by an increasing number of people traveling internationally with their pets and a rise in overseas operations by rescue groups and breeders.

The CDC's new regulations also necessitate that all dogs entering the U.S. be old enough for vaccination to take effect, which is typically at least 6 months of age. Additionally, the dogs must have a microchip implanted under their skin, containing a unique code that can be used to verify rabies vaccination. The new rules also introduce a requirement for completing a CDC import form.

Further restrictions and requirements may be imposed based on where the dog has been in the previous six months. This may involve blood testing conducted by CDC-approved laboratories. These updates mark a significant change, considering that the CDC's regulations for importing dogs were last revised back in 1956.

Rabies is a fatal disease affecting both animals and humans, primarily transmitted through bites from infected animals. While rabies virus circulation in dogs was eliminated in the U.S. through vaccinations in the 1970s, there are concerns about infected dogs entering the country. Since 2015, four cases of rabid dogs entering the U.S. have been identified, prompting officials to take stricter measures.

The updated regulations are a response to incomplete or fraudulent rabies vaccination certificates and the increased number of puppies denied entry due to inadequate vaccination. The government's aim is to ensure that only dogs with proper vaccinations are allowed into the country.

Angela Passman, owner of a Dallas-based company assisting people in moving their pets internationally, supports the new rules. She believes that while it may require more effort from pet owners, it ultimately benefits everyone in preventing the spread of rabies. Jennifer Skiff, on the other hand, representing Animal Wellness Action, expressed concerns about the increased costs associated with the new regulations and argued that they are unnecessary. However, the CDC maintains that these measures are essential for public safety.

With over a million dogs entering the U.S. each year, these new regulations are expected to raise the bar for the safe importation of dogs, reducing the risk of rabies transmission and ensuring the well-being of both animals and humans alike.