THE COUNTY (Aroostook County, ME) reports that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) has promulgated new regulations regarding the ‘importation’ of dogs into the United States. The regulations are scheduled to take effect on August 1, 2024.
Fourteen U.S. senators say the new CDC border regulations for dogs have detrimental, unintended consequences and that the final rule is overly broad. The senators’ concerns include that the regulations would be onerous for dog owners, breeders, truckers, and for those who frequently cross the United States/Canadian border for work, veterinary care, canine events, breeder collaborations, or to simply visit friends and family.
In short, all dogs entering the United States must appear healthy upon arrival; be at least six months old; be International Standards Organization-compatible microchipped; be vaccinated for rabies (after microchipping); and be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form online submission receipt. The new CDC’s requirements may be read online HERE.
THE COUNTY article may be read in full HERE.
My brothers and sisters, it is interesting that the CDC does not require an intense importation procedure for cats, other than subjectively requiring the animal to ‘appear’ healthy when presented at the border. The CDC’s requirements for cats may be read HERE, and include the following:
“CDC requires that cats appear healthy upon arrival to the United States. Cats are subject to inspection at ports of entry and may be denied entry into the United States if they have evidence of a zoonotic disease. If a cat appears to be ill, further examination by a licensed veterinarian at the owner’s expense might be required before the cat is allowed to enter the United States.
Cats are not required to have proof of rabies vaccination for importation into the United States. However, CDC recommends that all cats be vaccinated against rabies, and your U.S. destination may have additional requirements.”
This writer knows from growing up in northern Maine, that many residents routinely cross the national border to and from Canada, sometimes to visit relatives, attend sporting events or to simply go out to eat. The new CDC requirements for dogs certainly seem overly restrictive and highly burdensome, and were probably written by bureaucrats who have never lived in a small community located adjacent to the national border.
In fact, the new CDC rule will also apply to routine visitations between the United States/Mexico border, as there is nothing on the CDC website clarifying or exempting the southern border from the new regulations. It seems very important for those who travel with their dogs (for whatever reason) into Mexico to be acutely aware of this change in CDC regulation.
The following U.S. senators signed a recent letter to the CDC requesting an extension to the August 1, 2024 implementation date and time to make necessary revisions: Senators Susan Collins (ME), Amy Klobuchar (MN), James E. Risch (ID), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Dan Sullivan (AK), Kevin Cramer (ND), Peter Welch (VT), Angus S. King, Jr. (ME), Mike Crapo (ID), Tina Smith (MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Jon Tester (MT), Lisa Murkowski (AK) and John Hoeven (ND).
On July 10, 2024, U.S. Senator Susan M. Collins (R-ME) sent correspondence to the CDC director regarding the new CDC policy. The letter may be downloaded or read HERE.
This should serve to remind us that our governmental leaders (at local, state and federal levels) seem to have almost unlimited control over everything we do and own! Let’s hope and pray, especially if you agree with the concern about this new rule being overly restrictive, that those in the CDC will walk in wisdom and humility, and will be receptive to changes that acknowledge ‘real life’ along our borders.
The bible speaks of the blessing that is wisdom and the importance of humility:
Proverbs 3:13 (ESV)
Blessed Is the One Who Finds Wisdom
“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding…”.
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
