Sheila Goffe On the CDC’s Importation Regulations

Sheila Goffe, AKC Vice President of Government Relations, joins host Laura Reeves to discuss the CDC’s soon to be implemented rule about importing dogs into the US.

Goffe provides background on retail rescue as the impetus for CDC’s regulations, the work AKC, NAIA and other stake holders have provided to the CDC and the most recent update to the rule.

“CDC put out an announcement saying that they heard the concerns about the rabies certificate,” Goffe said. “Remember they had (originally) required that you had not only a rabies certificate, but a rabies from a USDA or Canadian accredited vet. So it’s not just like your regular vet. It’s like, OK, I have to go find basically the same vet I would go to if I’m importing a dog to another country.

“So that veterinarian-specific requirement, they have dropped that requirement. As of now, they’re saying that all you need to enter the United States with a dog from Canada or another low risk rabies free country is an import form. It’s now available online. You can fill it out online. It takes less than 10 minutes. You’re going to have a picture of your dog on it. You know, a little bit of information about you and an attestation that this dog has not been outside of a rabies free, low risk country for the last six months.

Dogs still need to be at least six months of age to enter the US from any country, Goffe added.

“Blame the irresponsible importers,” Goffe said, “because frankly, they claimed to be us. They claim to be personally owned dogs. And now CDC is saying we can’t tell the difference. So where we need to go with CDC is create a solution where we can say ‘we can tell you the difference, we can show you what we do that those folks would never be able to do. We can show you that this dog has been registered from a registered litter. You know, we can demonstrate this dog was at the vet at two days old getting dewclaws removed. I can prove to you this dog was here in this country and it has not gone to Azerbaijan and come back.”

Goffe encourages exhibitors and breeders to reach out to their representatives to share their concerns. Find resources HERE.