CBP Canine Home Kenneling Pilot Act

This bill creates a test program for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Field Operations to let some canine handlers keep their working dogs at home instead of in a central kennel, to see if this helps both handlers and dogs. Before it starts, CBP must issue clear guidance, consult with other DHS parts and the employee union, and train handlers on full daily care, including feeding, exercise, medical needs, and how to safely integrate a working dog into the home. The pilot must include at least 10 ports of entry across seaports, airports, and land crossings in both cities and rural areas, run at least two years, and end within three years after it begins; participation is voluntary for handlers. CBP must brief Congress within a year and, after the pilot ends, deliver a report with findings on costs, job performance, and the health and well-being of dogs and handlers, plus any recommendations on continuing home kenneling.

Key points:

• Who is affected: CBP canine handlers and their working dogs; ports of entry at airports, seaports, and land borders.
• What changes: Tests home kenneling instead of central kennels; requires guidance, consultation, and training; sets participation rules; and requires a final report on results and recommendations.
• When: Pilot must start within one year of enactment, run at least two years, end within three years after it starts, and the final report is due within 180 days after it ends.