CDC Dog Importation Update for CKC Members

Dear CKC Members,

We continue to advocate on behalf of our members regarding the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) new dog importation rule, effective August 1, 2024.

Over the past few weeks, CKC has met 3 times with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to learn about updates and to request that they relay our concerns and recommendations to CDC. We have raised the following with CFIA:

1. We need a clear process regarding the forms and process for getting them certified by CFIA vets. They have shared that they are working on this with the CDC, but have no concrete updates yet.
2. We have expressed the need to reduce the age of importation from 6 months to 3 months (plus a 28-day quarantine on the U.S. owner’s property), or provide an exemption for CKC registered dogs and member breeders.
3. We have requested that an exception be made for dogs less than 6 months of age that require emergency vet care in the U.S.
4. We have repeatedly suggested that the regulation be delayed by 6 months or a year to create an exemption for our members to bring dogs less than 6 months old across the border, for more time to work out the certification process, and to allow our members more time to prepare as they may have already bred litters prior to the announcement with plans to sell them in the U.S..

CFIA has shared that they continue to meet and negotiate with the CDC regarding a process for certifying dog importation forms as well as other allowances for Canadians traveling with dogs over the border. While they have not provided any updates yet regarding their negotiations, we are hopeful to hear the outcomes in the coming week or two.

Next week, CKC will send a co-signed letter with the American Kennel Club to the CDC requesting changes to their dog importation rule. We will share this with members once it is sent.

In the meantime, CFIA has shared interim guidance, however, these are all subject to change.

***UPDATE*** The CFIA is currently unable to endorse export documents for dogs to the U.S. because they are still in discussions with the CDC regarding the process.

Dogs travelling on or after August 1, 2024

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control have outlined the changes to import requirements for dogs entering the U.S.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has provided a brief outline on their website, however, you should refer to the CDC website for the full information and any updates in the coming days and weeks.

CKC will provide another update as soon as we hear any news or guidance from CFIA.