The CDC is introducing new guidelines for dogs entering or returning to the United States.
The new guidelines could go into effect as early as Aug. 1. But some local officials say the CDC’s new guidelines are an attempt to make it harder for travelers to bring pets across the border.
“Families, employees, nurses and everyone in between are constantly coming and going. They own homes on the other side of the border, they vacation there, they have second homes,” explains North Country Chamber of Commerce President Gary Douglas. “To us, Canada is not Zimbabwe or Pakistan. It’s a part of our everyday lives.”
“People take their dogs with them when they travel, Americans. I took my dog with me.”
Many people believe it’s easy to bring a dog across the border.
“This has been going on for years now. There’s never been a problem. People come to the border, they show their vaccination paperwork. Things have been running very smoothly,” said state Rep. Billy Jones.
The new guidelines propose broader requirements.
“Dogs must be microchipped, they must have a health screening on a special U.S. form that is completed by a veterinarian and submitted in advance to the CDC electronically or by mail,” Douglas explained. “Not only must that form be completed by a Canadian veterinarian, but parts of that form must be completed and verified by a government-certified veterinarian, something Canada says doesn’t exist and isn’t prepared to do.”
The CDC changes are expected to begin within the next few weeks.
“We would love to have more dialogue about these guidelines, but frankly, I don’t think they’re necessary,” Jones concluded. “The council letter asks for a postponement to allow more people to have their say.”
The letter, signed by seven lawmakers, including Rep. Elise Stefanik, asks the CDC to postpone the restrictions for 18 months, in the hopes that some kind of compromise can be worked out or that it will at least give people more time to prepare for the new guidelines.
