CDC tightens rules of bringing dogs into U.S. to prevent rabies

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tightening the leash on dog importation with new rules going into effect this summer in an effort to prevent rabies.

Anyone wanting to bring a dog into the United States, starting Aug. 1, will have to prove it is healthy, at least six months of age, microchipped and accompanied by the CDC’s Dog Import paperwork with updated vaccination and veterinary records.

“CDC is updating its dog importation regulation to protect the health and safety of people and animals by making sure any dog arriving in the United States is healthy and does not present a risk to our communities,” the public health agency said.

The CDC also is requiring a rabies vaccine and, depending on which country the dog is coming from, may require a blood test to prove immunity.