Due to a concern over a recent change to a U.S. regulation, as detailed in a new guidance document, effective August 11, 2014, the AKC sought clarification from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on behalf of those who import dogs from rabies-positive countries that have not been adequately immunized against the disease.
AKC ascertains that, the CDC’s decision to waive the requirement that an animal have a valid rabies certificate is determined on a case-by-case basis and that CDC may “… authorize admission of dogs that have not been adequately immunized against rabies provided that the dogs are confined under conditions that restrict their contact with humans and other animals until they have been immunized.”(1) In these cases, a confinement agreement is signed by the importer/owner. AKC further notes that the new guidelines point out that a confinement agreement process was established to assist individuals importing dogs as pets or personal use, not for commercial importers.
For further details about AKC’s article, please click here.
For more information, visit the CDC’s animal imports website or contact CDCAnimalImports@cdc.gov.
Please watch for further updates as we reach out to various organizations for more information and comment.
(1) Federal Register, July 10, 2014, pp. 39403 – 6