https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0508-Dog-Importation-Regulation.html

So in 2007, Dog rabies was eradicated in the United States. That is a great job. However starting on August 1st, a dog has to be 6-months of age to be brought in, along with a number of other requirements which I mostly agree with. There are 2 significant problems with this new regulation.

First most rescues from the Caribbean get the dogs off the island (after they are healthy and been vaccinated) as puppies in order to bring them as carry-on. Additionally most of these rescues do not have the resources to microchip a dog ( additionally there are US and European standards for microchips)

If you click on the high risk nation link on the CDC website, you will see Aruba, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos are not listed as high risk. These are where many of our island dogs come from. I know there are a few more, but these are the ones I know and have worked with.

I urge everyone to share this post, and contact your representative in Congress and ask them to direct the CDC to limit these restrictions to high risk countries instead of a blanket order.

Only by talking to our representatives here in the US can we get this changed.