Canada/Mexico Dog (Re)Entry to US

(per August 1 2024 US-CDC requirements)

(A word of advice at the outset: This is a bit complicated, so maybe grab a cup of tea and a biscuit before reading this section — If you breeze through, you might miss something important.)

**DOGS ONLY**

UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Some of the information below may now be outdated. Check back after June 15. Thank you. //APTC, June 14 2024

New CDC Requirements for Dog (Re)Entry to the US after traveling to other countries, including Canada & Mexico:

On May 8 2024, the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced a revised & updated list of requirements for dogs entering or re-entering the United States, effective beginning August 1, 2024. (There are currently no requirements for cats, except current Rabies vaccination certificate.) 

Click the link below for more detailed information. 

(Please note: For the purpose of this discussion we assume the dog’s vaccination was administered in the US. If not, then it is considered a Foreign-Vaccinated Dog and has a whole other list of additional documents required! See CDC page for details.)

At minimum, as of August 1, 2024, a dog entering or re-entering the United States from Canada or Mexico will be expected to:

  • Be at least 6 months of age

  • Have an implanted ISO-compatible (15-digit) microchip, and this number must be documented on the Rabies certificate

  • Have a current Rabies certificate bearing the microchip number (as well as other legally required data points, see flow-chart below)

  • Have a USDA-Endorsed Certificate — Either a Certification of US-Issued Rabies Vaccination (CUSIRV) or a USDA-Endorsed Travel-Certificate to that country (Canada or Mexico)

  • Have an owner-completed “CDC Dog Import Form” receipt, filed online by you (the owner) within 2-10 days of arrival (re-entry) to the US

However, it’s more complex than that. Some countries, including the US, have been a bit lax about Rabies vaccinations, allowing previous vaccinations to lapse in between boosters, not fully documenting all required information on the certificates (such as manufacturer’s name, product name, lot-expiration date, serial number, or signatures). And microchips have never previously been required in pets — as they are in the EU & UK — but all that changes now for any dog (currently no requirements for cats) wishing to cross a US border & return to the US.

(Please note: As of now, it does not appear airlines will have these requirements for dogs traveling from one US state [such as Alaska] to another US state [such as Arizona].)

For the time being, like most government-related matters, these issues are not clear. Please bear with us while we sort through what we think the requirements are going to look like in the real world, and how best to ensure your traveling pet can get where it’s going and/or get back home safely.

The new CDC requirements are in alignment with most other countries’ requirements, and though they are likely to cause more than a few inconveniences and aggravations, they are not beyond what most of the rest of the world already requires for animal travel and importation.

This will likely mean — at least during the transition period and changeover — a substantial number of dogs will need to have a microchip implanted (including if their previous microchip is of the old non-ISO format — for example AVID 9-digit chips) and will need to be revaccinated against Rabies and have the new microchip number certain to be documented on any further rabies certificates for that pet. 

[Please note: We previously had a Flow-chart here for decision-making, but the rules have changed AGAIN, so this will be updated in the next couple of days. //APTC, Jun 14 2024]

Last updated: May 22, 2024

UPDATES COMING: Some of the following information may now be outdated — Please check back after June 15 2024. Thank you. //APTC, June 14 2024

FAQs:

  • We sincerely hope so — We don’t like this any more than you do, believe me. This is nothing but a headache for the already overburdened veterinary community & USDA.

    However, for now, the rules stand. So we will do what we can to help your dogs have the documents they require to (re)enter the US.

  • If you cannot fly your dog, for whatever reason (too large, weather/heat-embargoes, breed restriction), and you must drive, then you’ll have to meet the CDC requirements to cross the border (see main CDC-Requirements page)

  • Your dog will need a new Rabies vaccination. With the busy summer months, our clinic will not have time to reach out to your regular vet to get them to send a corrected certificate. This is difficult enough to do in the slower winter months, but in the summer rush, it is not possible. You can, of course, use another vet clinic service, but you will need a legally complete certificate to cross the border into the US

  • Your dog will need a new Rabies vaccination. The certificate must have a veterinarian’s name, signature, license number … (see main page for legal requirements for complete Rabies vaccination certificate), otherwise it will be rejected at the border and your dog will not be permitted to enter the US.

  • While we are sympathetic to your plight, Times change. These are the CDC’s requirements, a government organization, and if you wish to argue with them, that’s your prerogative. But our clinic will only issue you a travel certificate if your dog meets the legal requirements for crossing the border.

  • Not at this time. For an airline flight, FROM one US state (Alaska) TO another US state (e.g., Arizona), all you need is a traditional health certificate.

  • If you have any chance of wanting to drive across a US-Canada border, we strongly recommend a USDA-Endorsed document (either Canada health certificate, or Certificate of US-Issued Rabies Vaccination).

  • You will need to satisfy a different set of requirements than a US jab — see CDC website for details, including having the vet who gave the vaccination (in the foreign country) complete a USDA form & submit medical records. Alternatively — and much easier — you could just get another Rabies vaccination in the US prior to your departure.

  • This is the one bit of good news: It’s good for the duration of the rabies vaccination. So until the dog’s vaccination expires, up to 3 years if all the documents are in order (see flowchart). You can use that document to cross the border as many times as you like during that period of validity.

  • No. That constitutes a criminal offense. The rabies vaccination must be given after the chip has been place.

  • We vets commonly have to give Rabies vaccinations sooner than they are due, sometimes within a short period of time, most commonly to stimulate a dog’s antibodies to pass a blood test for the sake of some international or Hawaii travel. We cannot say a dog will never have a vaccination reaction, but they are extremely rare. And if you want to travel with your dog, you will be required to have it done.

  • There is not a workaround, or a shortcut. See the CDC website for details. These rules apply to ALL dogs entering the US including certified therapy dogs & service dogs. (The sole exception seems to be for working military dogs, but the military vets handle all those dogs, themselves.)

  • Sadly, we cannot. The Certification must be filed by the vet or clinic who gave the jab. The only other option is for you to get another jab with us; THEN we could file for the USDA-Certifcation form.

  • Per the CDC website: “Dogs that do not meet all entry requirements or do not have accurate and valid forms will be denied entry to the United States and returned to the country of departure at the importer’s expense. These requirements apply to all dogs, including service dogs and dogs that were born in the United States.”

    Our interpretation of “country of departure” is Canada or Mexico, in these examples, not back to the US.

  • Sadly, yes. And it’s the CDC making these rules, not individual vet clinics.

  • No, that constitutes fraud and is a criminal offense. You can try your luck with another clinic. If a dog does not look 6 months old, we will not list it as 6 months old. Sorry.

  • The USDA-Endorsed document will be emailed to you once it has been endorsed; you will have to print it and carry a copy with you. You will also need to complete a online CDC Dog Import Form within 2-10 days of your border crossing (We cannot advise you on what this form contains, as it will not be available until July 15 2024, so we haven’t seen it yet, but it does involve you having to submit a photo of the dog’s face & body for identification — see CDC website for details.)

  • For the USDA-Endorsed Canada Health Certificate, no. You can list up to six dogs on the same certificate. For the USDA-Endorsed Certification of US-Issued Rabies Vaccination, then, yes, they each need their own form.

  • It depend on what your dog needs to have done. This can range from a simple USDA-endorsed travel certificate for one dog, all the way up to microchips & new Rabies vaccinations & USDA-forms for multiple dogs. Please see our Fees page for estimated charges.

  • According to the most recent infomaion from the CDC, you will have to find a local (Canada) vet to get your dog what is required & the necessary documents. There is nothing our clinic can do unless we administered the Rabies vaccination, and even that scenario has limited options.

  • Maybe. It will prove to be a case-by-case basis.

    The individual US states still require a CVI (Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) for entry/residence. The exceptions are: CA, GA, MT, ME, MS, NH, NC, TX, UT, VA & WA. However, we don’t yet know if border states, where you might cross, will require their own certificates.

    And of course the airlines & ferry still require a travel certificate.

    Unfortunately, we do not yet know what this is going to look “in real life.” We recommend a travel/health certificate separate from the USDA-Endorsed certificate, but that’s up to you.