Importation of Dogs Into the United States


The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has regulations governing importation of the following pets: dogs, cats, turtles, and monkeys. Pets taken out of the United States are subject, upon
return, to the same regulations as those entering for the first time. The U.S. government does not require general certificates of health for pets. However,
because airlines sometimes require health certificates for pets traveling with them, you should check with your airline prior to your travel date.

Dogs
Pet dogs are subject to inspection at ports of entry for evidence of infectious diseases that can be transmitted to humans. If a dog appears to be ill,
further examination by a licensed veterinarian might be required. In addition, dogs must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to entry into
the United States, except for puppies younger than 3 months of age and dogs originating or located for 6 months or more in
areas that are free of rabies.
A dog with an unexpired vaccination certificate meets these requirements. Following entry into the United States, all dogs are subject to state and local
vaccination requirements. All pet dogs arriving in the state of
Hawaii
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and the territory of
Guam,
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even from the U.S. mainland, are subject to locally imposed quarantine requirements.