CDC eases requirements for dogs entering US

The relaxed guidelines come after senators asked the CDC to delay some of the previously imposed restrictions.

• Starting Aug. 1 the CDC has a new policy on dog imports.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has relaxed its guidelines for bringing dogs into the country from countries without a high risk of dog rabies. 

• Dogs coming from high-risk countries that have not been vaccinated against rabies in the past six months will not be allowed to enter the country.

(NewsNation) — As of Aug. 1, it will be easier for dogs to enter the U.S. from other countries. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has relaxed its guidelines for bringing dogs into the country from countries without a high risk of dog rabies. 

Fourteen U.S. senators wrote a letter asking the CDC to delay some of the previously imposed restrictions that would make it complicated for those who often cross the U.S.-Canadian border. 

The previous rules announced in May stipulated that all dogs entering the U.S. must be at least 6 months old and have a microchip as well as completed import forms. Now, dogs that have only been in rabies-free or low-risk countries in the past six months will only need to appear healthy and have completed import forms.

Dogs coming from high-risk countries that have not been vaccinated against rabies in the past six months will not be allowed to enter the country, according to the CDC.