Hello,
My question is my fiance wants to bring her 14 year old dog with her (From Colombia to Houston, TX)(assuming in ~3 months given the current timeline of receiving NOA2 3 weeks ago and NVC email today.) and wanted to see if anyone else has done this process to confirm what all is required.
Colombia falls under the High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies per CDC
My understanding is there are 3 requirements to meet:
- CDC Requirements
- USDA Requirements
- Texas Department of State Health Services Requirements
1) CDC Requirements - Rabies
CDC website it states: "CDC is extending its temporary suspension of dog importation from high-risk dog rabies countries until July 31, 2024. This suspension includes dogs arriving from countries without high risk of rabies if the dogs have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months." This ban has been in effect since July 2021.
https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dog-origin.html#:~:text=CDC is extending its temporary,in the past 6 months.
On an extremely limited basis, CDC has the authority to issue advance written approval (a CDC Dog Import Permit) to bring a dog from a high-risk country. If you wish to import a dog from a high-risk country, you must request advance written approval by emailing CDCanimalimports@cdc.gov at least 30 business days (6 weeks) before you intend to enter the United States. No CDC Dog Import Permits are issued upon arrival. Dogs that arrive from high-risk countries without advance written approval from CDC will be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at the importer’s expense.
Beginning March 1, 2023, all foreign-vaccinated dogs entering the United States from rabies high-risk countries must have a valid CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record in addition to either a CDC Dog Import Permit or a reservation at a CDC-approved animal care facility. CDC will NOT accept foreign-issued pet passports or any other certificates for foreign rabies vaccinations.
Foreign-vaccinated dogs coming from high-risk countries are now required to use the CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record as proof of rabies vaccination. Use of this record is also encouraged for US-vaccinated dogs, though not required. Dogs entering the United States from high-risk countries are still required to meet all requirements of the temporary suspension"
Has anyone successfully completed a CDC Dog Import Permit from a High-Risk Country?
2) USDA Requirements - Screwworm & Foot and Mouth Disease
The dog has been inspected for screwworm within 5 days prior to shipment to the United States; and
The dog is either free from screwworm OR
The dog was infested with screwworm, held in quarantine, and treated until free from screwworm prior to leaving the region.
Their fur and bedding must be free of excessive dirt, hay, or straw.
The dog should be bathed as soon as it reaches its destination and kept separate from all livestock for 5 days after entering the United States.
Dogs used in livestock handling that are imported from any part of the world except Canada, Mexico, and certain regions of Central America and the West Indies should have no evidence of tapeworm infection.
3) Texas Requirements
Once in Texas, if a USDA-approved vaccine was not used or the veterinarian who administered it was not licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the United States, compliance must be achieved. For entry into Texas, the following criteria must be met:
At the time of vaccination, the animal was at least the minimum age prescribed for the vaccine; and
The time elapsed since the most recent vaccination has not exceeded the recommended interval for the booster vaccination as established by the vaccine’s manufacturer.
Additionally, to qualify as being currently vaccinated, 30 days must have lapsed since the initial vaccination.