By Joel Langton
The 830 Times
People taking their pets to Ciudad Acuña for veterinary care must have their paperwork in order when they bring the dogs back, according to Customs and Border Protection officials who are enforcing new regulations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Dogs must appear healthy, be at least six months old, be microchipped and have a CDC Dog Import Form when they are returned from Mexico, according to CBP officials. The CBP officials were only able to speak on background since they weren’t authorized to speak on the record.
The change is designed to bring the United States in line with the World Health Organization.
“People are saying it’s going to ruin rescues on the border and we are probably going to see more dogs dumped because owners can’t afford care,” said Tess O’Brien, a local animal activist who’s been involved in animal rescues for more than a decade here. “There is just a whole host of issues this will exacerbate on the border.”
Presently, the program has been paused as 14 senators have weighed in against the proposal, but it could go into effect just about anytime after Aug. 1, local CBP officials warned.
Senators leading the efforts are Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, along with Idaho Sen. James E. Risch, NH Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan, ND Sen. Kevin Cramer, Vermont Sen. Peter Welch, Maine Sen. Angus S. King, Jr., Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo, MN Sen. Tina Smith, NY Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Montana Sen. Jon Tester, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and ND Sen. John Hoeven. All representing states along the Canadian and U.S. border.
O’Brien agrees with the senators. “People message me and are looking for help because they can’t afford it here. Stateside spay and neuter can be $200 to $500, and they can get it done in Mexico for less than $100. Animal care is significantly less (expensive) in Mexico and its usually quality care.”
CBP’s officials released the following statement today to help prepare those bringing a dog back from Mexico:
On May 13, 2024, CDC published its new dog importation regulations; available on the Federal Register. The Rule will not go into effect until August 1st after the temporary suspension ceases on July 31st. More information can be found at www.cdc.gov/dogtravel. CBP encourages the public to utilize the website to access CDC’s new DogBot tool to determine what rules apply to your dog based on the dates of travel and where your dog is traveling from.
For example, a dog originating from Mexico and which has not visited a rabies high-risk country in the last six months will need to meet the following requirements: It will need to be at least 6 months old AND have an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip at the time of travel, AND:
- The documents required for the dog to enter the United States include:
- A CDC Dog Import Form receipt AND
- One of the following documents (note: any documentation that is not from the United States must be completed in the country where the dog’s travel originates)
- Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form endorsed by an official veterinarian of the dog rabies-free or low-risk country where the dog has been located; AND EITHER (1) a valid rabies serology titer OR (2) veterinary records (including the microchip number) for the dog in that country rabies-free or low-risk for the previous 6 months. The form must be completed within 30 days before arrival to the United States; OR
- Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form endorsed by USDA before dog departed the United States; OR
- Valid USDA-endorsed export health certificate that EITHER (1) Is for the dog rabies-free or low-risk country where the dog’s return itinerary originated (the form will only be valid for 30 days and one U.S. entry if it does not contain rabies vaccination information) OR (2) Documents a valid (unexpired) rabies vaccination administered in the United States (the form will be valid for the duration of the rabies vaccination (1 or 3 years)); OR
- Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country form endorsed by an official veterinarian in the exporting country; AND valid rabies serology titer OR veterinary records (including microchip number) for the dog in that dog rabies-free or low-risk country for the previous six months; OR
- Foreign export certificate that documents the dog is at least six months of age and its ISO-compatible microchip number, and has been certified by an official veterinarian of the exporting country; AND veterinary records (including microchip number) for the dog from the exporting dog rabies-free or low-risk country for the previous six months.
Please find more information at From August 1 Onward: What your Dog Needs to Enter the United States
The new regulation is an effort to expedite and standardize the process at arrival as required documentation is to be gathered prior to arrival. Travelers can utilize the CBP One mobile application when available, to declare their pets prior to arrival at the port of entry. Providing advance information and scheduling appointments may expedite travelers’ CBP clearance upon arrival.
If people need to clarify issues with this, call CBP at 830-703-2012 with any questions.
