Canada ‘surprised’ by new US border rules for dogs, says Holland – National

As Canadians prepare for new rules on dogs crossing the border that come into effect on August 1, Health Minister Mark Holland has criticized the rules, saying they are not “well thought out.”

Canada was “surprised and surprised” by the U.S. announcement of new regulations, Holland said in an interview with the media on Wednesday. The rules require dogs entering the U.S. to be at least six months old and to meet rabies vaccination requirements.

“I am very concerned about the regulations that are being implemented by the United States. As of August 1, there are a number of new measures in place for people who bring their dogs across the border,” Holland said.

5:25
New rules for crossing the US border with dogs

“As people realize today, when you cross the border with your dog, there are not a lot of questions and you can travel back and forth, and that makes perfect sense because Canada is not a source country for rabies. We are a rabies-free country.”

As a result, it doesn’t make sense for Canadians to required to fill out paperwork to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ahead of their planned visit, he said.

Canada is not on the US list from countries with a high risk of rabies.

“The Americans adopted this as a general policy for all countries. I don’t think they thought about what they created on the Canada-US border. We are just as surprised and astonished,” Holland said.

1:53
New rules for crossing the US border with dogs

The documents you need depend on where the dog was vaccinated against rabies and which countries he or she has visited in the six months prior to traveling to the United States.

The CDC recommends completing the Import Dog Form online two to 10 days before arriving at the border. However, it can be completed closer to arrival if owners have access to the internet.

The form also requires the owner to upload a clear photo of the dog’s face and body. According to the CDC, for dogs under a year old upon arrival, the photo must be taken within 10 days of arrival.

Holland criticized the photo requirement.

“I don’t think it’s a good use of border officials’ time, to be honest,” he said. “There are a lot of problems at the border … and whether my Maltese is another Maltese and a border official has to find that out, to me, is nonsense.”

Dogs must now also have a form signed by a licensed veterinarian that reads “Certificate of Arrival of Dog from DMRVV-Free or Low-Risk Country in the United States” and a valid rabies registration.

2:15
Canada bans shelter dogs from more than 100 countries with high rabies risk

While Canada fully supports proof of vaccination and believes that every dog ​​should be vaccinated against rabies, Holland said requiring these forms to be completed by veterinarians in Canada would take a long time to validate. Additionally, he said, it would be expensive to ensure that all dogs are microchipped.

“I think Canada should be exempted as a non-source country for rabies and we should work more closely together on policy parity,” Holland said, adding that Canada is also awaiting confirmation of a grace period for this regulation.

— with files from Amy Judd of Global News

© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.