Healthy Dog Importation Act

This legislation tightens the rules for bringing live dogs into the United States to protect animal and public health. Before travel, importers must send electronic proof to the government that each dog is healthy; has required vaccines, parasite treatment, and negative tests; has a permanent ID; and, if the dog will be sold or adopted, is at least 6 months old and has an import permit. It creates narrow exceptions, such as for a U.S.-origin pet returning home, military working dogs, research, certain vet treatment with quarantine and re-export, and a special Hawaii-only pathway for puppies from a few rabies-free places.

The Department of Agriculture must set up rules within 18 months, including electronic submissions, post-arrival checks, a centralized database of veterinary certificates that states can access quickly, denial of entry for violations, and fees to run the program. Violators can face penalties and must pay for care, quarantine, and returning dogs to their country of export. Existing rules stay in place during a transition period until the new rules are final, and an older section of law on dog imports is repealed.

• Who is affected: People and companies that import or transport dogs; carriers and handlers; state veterinarians who receive data.
• What changes: Stronger health paperwork before travel; permanent ID; 6-month minimum age for sale/adoption imports; import permits; targeted exceptions; electronic tracking and data-sharing; denial of entry and penalties for violations.
• When: New regulations must be issued within 18 months; current rules apply during the transition until the new rules take effect.