Photo by Martin Castro on Unsplash

If you are embarking on international travel with your furry companion, you've probably already planned ahead to make sure the trip goes smoothly while you're abroad. But remember, you also want to arrange a smooth return back home.

To manage the risk of rabies infections, recent updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have introduced new entry requirements for dogs entering the United States of America, particularly dogs from countries that have a high-risk for rabies.

Here’s everything pet owners need to know to bring their pets home safely and stress-free.

1. Determine Destination Country Risk - High-Risk Countries vs. Low-Risk Countries

The CDC categorizes destinations as either low-risk countries or high-risk countries for rabies. The country of departure isn't the only thing that determines the rules you'll have to follow, rather where the dog has been during the 6 months prior to entry into the United States - that is what determines which entry requirements will be applied when re-entering the United States.

You can find the High-Risk country list here, while all other destinations are considered rabies-free or low-risk countries.

2. Fill the CDC Dog Import Form

Whether a low-risk or a high-risk country, this form is required for ALL dogs entering the USA and should be completed by the person (i.e. pet owner, shipper, flight companion). Upon submission of the form, a receipt is sent to the email address provided. This receipt must be kept on hand to be presented to airline personnel and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

In addition to the form linked above, detailed instructions are also available online here.

For low-risk rabies countries, all you need is to fill that form. For high-risk rabies countries however, there's a few additional requirements to meet. Read on to learn what you'll need.

3. Make Sure Your Dog Meets Basic Requirements

Dogs entering the US from High-Risk rabies countries have to meet a few requirements:

Age Restriction:

Dogs must be at least 6 months to enter the United States

Microchip:

Your pet must have an ISO-compliant microchip implanted for identification. This allows it to be read with a universal scanner.

Valid Rabies Vaccination:

Your pet must have received its valid rabies vaccine in the United States before departure administered by a licensed veterinarian, and the microchip must have been implanted prior to the vaccine administration. Finally, the rabies vaccine must be valid at the time of entry to the United States.

4. Certify Your Dog's Rabies Vaccination

The CDC has implemented stricter measures for pets returning from high-risk rabies countries to protect public health. For U.S.-vaccinated dogs and in addition to the CDC Dog Import Form, you will also need a proof of rabies vaccination - essentially a rabies certificate - that was given in the United States, along with a Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form - instructions for this certification step can be found on the CDC website here.

This form must be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and digitally endorsed by USDA before the dog leaves the United States. Note that if the dog is receiving its first vaccine or booster after a lapse, the form must be completed 28 days after the vaccine was administered.

As a temporary measure and until July 31, 2025, this form may be substituted by a USDA-endorsed export health certificate, which is what you have likely already obtained in order to enter your destination country in the first place.

However, there are airlines that are already requiring the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination, so check with the airline first, or play it safe and obtain the Certification for your US-issued rabies vaccination record.

5. Extra Steps If Your Dog is Foreign-Vaccinated in High-Risk Countries

If your dog’s U.S. rabies vaccination (that is, administered in the US) has expired or if it had received a rabies vaccine booster at your departure country instead of in the US, the requirements become even more strict. Dogs must still meet the same requirements listed above and, in addition to the CDC Dog Import Form, will also need:

1. Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form which can be found here. This form is filled out by your licensed veterinarian and endorsed by an official government veterinarian.

2. Rabies serology titer from a CDC-approved laboratory (or a 28-day quarantine period in lieu of a titer).

3. Reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility.

6. Plan the Return Trip

Finally, you'll want to start preparing plenty of time ahead - we recommend 60 days before travel - to ensure all vaccinations and paperwork are in order. Make sure you plan your return trip carefully! Specifically, check that you have covered the following:

Get all your veterinary records ready:

You'll want to make sure your dog's paperwork is all correct and up-to-date. Your USDA-accredited veterinarian can help you with that, reviewing your pet's veterinary records and reducing the risk of delays or denials at your port of entry.

Check Airline Policies:

Airlines must issue an air waybill (AWB) for each dog travelling, and some may have additional requirements or additional documentation for pet travel, so always confirm those with the airline ahead of your flight.

Pick the Right Airport:

Pets from high-risk rabies countries can only enter the USA through specific ports of entry with CDC-registered animal care facilities for inspection. The list of airport facilities can be found right here.

What Happens If You Don’t Meet the Requirements?

Managing risk of rabies is critical, and so non-compliance with CDC regulations can lead to a pet being denied entry, quarantined at owner's expense, or returned to the country of departure. These outcomes are stressful and costly, so it’s very important to ensure all requirements are met before traveling.

Traveling internationally with your pet requires detailed planning, but with the proper preparation, you can avoid complications and enjoy peace of mind. Whether you’re visiting a low-risk or high-risk rabies country, the key to a smooth return is being well-informed and proactive.

For more information, visit the CDC’s official pet travel page.

Safe travels and happy tails!