CDC walks back some new rules for dogs crossing Peace Bridge

There is good news for dog owners bringing their pets across the Peace Bridge–at least for now.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is relaxing some of the requirements to bring canines across the border effective August 1.

The stated goal of the policy change, first announced in May, was to prevent “the re-introduction of dog rabies to the United States.”

In a statement released on Monday, the CDC said, “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.”

According to the CDC website, Canada is not listed as a high-risk country for dog rabies.

Dogs that have spent the prior six months only in dog rabies-free or low-risk rabies countries will be able to enter the United States next month with a CDC Import Form or an online submission receipt as acceptable documentation.

The form can be filled out the day of travel and the receipt can be shown to airlines and border officials as a printed copy or by smartphone.

The receipt will be good for travel into the U.S. for six months from the date of issuance, including multiple entries.

All dogs entering the U.S. must have a microchip and be over six months of age.

Additional documents and requirements will still be in effect for dogs coming from high-risk countries.

However, this doesn’t mean completely clear sailing.

Federal Health Minister Mark Holland said Tuesday that the relaxed U.S. rules may only be temporary and described the CDC decision as a “grace period” of nine months.

“We’re going to continue our hard work to make sure when that nine month period is over that folks can still take their dogs back and forth across the border,” Holland said during a press conference. “When you’re dealing with other jurisdictions, change is always possible.”

He noted that Ottawa will lobby against the reintroduction of the stringent rules.

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