Canadian snowbirds who take their dogs back and forth across the U.S. border can breathe a sigh of relief today.

On July 22, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that it has significantly eased the new rules for dogs entering the United States from rabies-free or low-risk rabies countries – which includes Canada. The new rules are set to come into effect on August 1, 2024,

Prior to yesterday’s changes, the new rules for importing dogs to the U.S. from Canada were set to be extremely onerous and would have been difficult – if not impossible – for many snowbirds to meet. 

However, the rule changes announced yesterday will be much easier for snowbirds to comply with. 

Under the revised rules, the following requirements must be met to bring dogs to the U.S. from Canada:

• Dogs must have spent the prior six months only in dog rabies-free or low-risk rabies countries. 
• Dogs must appear healthy upon arrival.
• Dogs must be at least 6 months old at the time of entry to the U.S.
• Dogs must have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner to identify them.
• A CDC Dog Import Form must be submitted online prior to entering the U.S. and a receipt that the form has been submitted must be shown to U.S. border officials when entering the country. 
  
  The CDC Dog Import Form can be filled out on the day of travel, but it is recommended that the form be filled out a few days earlier to avoid potential issues.
  
  Upon submission of the form, a receipt will be emailed to you that must be shown to airlines and border officials as a printed copy or by phone. The receipt will be good for travel into the U.S. for six months from the date of issuance, including multiple entries.

An official, detailed list from the CDC of entry requirements for dogs from rabies-free and low-risk rabies countries can be found here.

"These updates incorporate the feedback received from the public, industry partners, and various countries on the dog importation rule, and clarify and simplify the processes for those bringing dogs from dog rabies-free or low-risk countries," the CDC said in a media statement on Monday.

When first announced, the changes to the rules for bringing dogs across the border caused a great deal of alarm for snowbirds and had been criticized by veterinary associations and tourism advocates.

Dogs that have NOT spent the prior six months only in a dog rabies-free or low-risk rabies country will need to comply with the more onerous entry rules for dogs from high-risk rabies countries.

The CDC's list of countries that are considered high risk for rabies includes a number of destinations such as Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Thailand, and Vietnam. You can find a complete list of high-risk dog rabies countries here.