Questionhi all,
I'm travelling from Dublin, Ireland on the 12th march 2009 going to New York and i was hoping to take my dog with me, i was enquiring to what process will i have to go through, and is it possible to take my dog without it having to go through quarantine? he is a small terrier, i would prefer he was on board with me if at all possible.
thank you in advance
AnswerHi Noel,
Thank you for your email. The answer to your question can be found on the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) website.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/animal/dogs.htm
The other website you'll want to look at is the US Dept. of Agriculture's website
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_exports_pets.shtml
You'll also want to contact the US Embassy in Ireland just to make sure that you have the most current information before traveling and that your dog is ready for direct release into the US and will not have to be quarantined.
Bringing an Animal into the United States
Importation of dogsA general certificate of health is not required by CDC for entry of pet dogs into the United States, although some airlines or states may require them. However, pet dogs are subject to inspection at ports of entry and may be denied entry into the United States if they have evidence of an infectious disease that can be transmitted to humans. If a dog appears to be ill, further examination by a licensed veterinarian at the owner's expense might be required at the port of entry.
Proof of Rabies Vaccination: Dogs must have a certificate showing they have been vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to entry into the United States. These requirements apply equally to service animals such as Seeing Eye dogs.
Importation of Unvaccinated Dogs: Dogs not accompanied by proof of rabies vaccination, including those that are too young to be vaccinated (i.e. less than 3 months of age), may be admitted if the importer completes a confinement agreement (see below) and confines the animal until it is considered adequately vaccinated against rabies (the vaccine is not considered effective until 30 days after the date of vaccination). Spanish, French, and Russian translations of form CDC 75.37 are available, but must be completed in English.
Confinement agreement (form CDC 75.37) (68 KB / 1 page)
Translations of CDC 75.37:
Spanish (56 KB / 1 page)
French (69 KB / 1 page)
Russian (211 KB / 1page)
Puppies that are too young to be vaccinated (i.e. less than 3 months of age) must be kept in confinement until they are old enough to be vaccinated, and then confined for at least 30 days after the date of vaccination.
Unvaccinated dogs must be vaccinated within 4 days of arrival at their final U.S. destination and within 10 days of entry into the United States, and must be kept in confinement for at least 30 days after the date of vaccination.
Dogs may not be sold or transferred to other owners during this period of confinement, and the person that signs the confinement agreement is responsible for ensuring the conditions of the agreement are met.
Importers must provide a contact address where the dog will be kept during the confinement period. If the importer will be housing the dog at several addresses or traveling with the animal, all points of contact must be provided.
Importation of Dogs from Rabies-free Countries: Unvaccinated dogs may be imported without a requirement for proof of rabies vaccination if they have been located for a minimum of 6 months or more in countries that are free of rabies.
Following importation, all dogs are subject to state and local vaccination or health certificate requirements. All pet dogs arriving in the state of Hawaii and the territory of Guam, even from the U.S. mainland, are subject to locally imposed quarantine requirements. Additional information can be found in the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control.
Importation of Dogs for Commercial/Breeding purposes: There are no separate CDC regulations for dogs to be used for commercial purposes, rather than as pets. The rules for bringing domestic dogs into the United States are covered under regulation 42CFR71.51. When importing puppies, the importer is responsible for maintaining quarantine according to the vaccination and confinement agreement signed at the time of importation.
Frequently Asked Questions about traveling with petsTraveling outside the United States with your pet?
Before taking a pet to another country, contact that country's consulate or embassy for information about their requirements.
Travelers are advised to also contact the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for additional information and advice.
Are the regulations the same if I just want to drive over the border with my pet in my car, rather than if traveling by air, or other means?
All animals entering (or reentering) the United States are subject to the same laws, regardless of the port or method of entry.
If traveling by air, do I pick up my pet at the international airport or only at my final destination?
Pets are generally transported as baggage, and they go through the same procedures as baggage. If a pet does not require quarantine at the port of entry, then an international traveler would pick up both luggage and the pet at international baggage claim, go through customs, then re-check both luggage and the pet for the domestic flight to their final destination.
Do I have to indicate I have a pet on my customs declaration card?
Animals must be included when filling out a customs declaration card.
What CDC restrictions apply to interstate and intrastate movement of animals?
There are no CDC regulations on interstate and intrastate transportation of animals. USDA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and various states may impose restrictions, depending on the animal. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, working in concert with CDC, has enacted regulations restricting the movement of prairie dogs and African rodents.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions
Sincerely
Chris Shoulet
DogTravel Company
www.dogtravelcompany.com
