SPCA International wants to ensure the safe travel and humane care of the animals that embark on their life-changing journey to the U.S. as part of Patriot Pets (formerly known as Operation Baghdad Pups: Worldwide). The logistics required to rescue the mascots and companion animals of U.S. military personnel deployed overseas involve the extensive and diligent coordination of our resources and expertise. Your generous contributions will help SPCA International bring the dogs and cats of our brave service members to a safe, happy, forever home in the U.S.
New CDC Regulations:
The Center for Disease Control imposes strict regulations on the importation of dogs into the United States to prevent the spread of rabies. On August 1st, 2024, major rule changes were implemented that animal welfare organizations, rescuers, and individual dog owners should be aware of before traveling.
All dogs entering the United States after August 1st must be at least six months of age, appear healthy, and have an ISO-compatible microchip implanted before any required rabies vaccination. The microchip number must be documented on all forms and records.
For dogs that have only been in countries that are dog rabies-free or low-risk in the six months before entering the United States, the only form required is the CDC Dog Import Form. This form replaces the CDC Dog Import Permit and must be shown to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials upon arrival into the United States, whether the dog is being imported or is already owned.
The CDC Dog Import Form should be filled out online by the person traveling with the dog or dogs and either printed or saved electronically so that it is available at the CBP checkpoint. Note that importers are no longer permitted to apply for CDC Dog Import Permits, and all existing permits expired on August 31st, 2024.
Per the new regulations, Israel (including the West Bank and Gaza), and Timor-Leste join the CDC’s list of high-risk countries for dog rabies on August 1st. Dogs arriving into the United States from any of these 111 high-risk countries must have the following documentation to be permitted entry:
– CDC Dog Import Form Receipt.
– Certificate of Foreign Rabies and Microchip Form. This form must be completed by an examining veterinarian no more than 30 days before travel and must be endorsed by an official government veterinarian in the country of export to be valid. Each country maintains their own list of official government veterinarians, so ask your examining veterinarian for assistance.
– Confirmation of Reservation at a CDC-registered Animal Care Facility. Previously, importers could bring dogs into any of eighteen Ports of Entry in the United States. This has been reduced to six CDC-registered Animal Care Facilities at airports in Atlanta (ATL), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), Washington (IAD), and Philadelphia (PHL). Contact the facility at your arrival airport well in advance to make a reservation for the required exam and revaccination for rabies.
– Rabies Serology Titer from a CDC-approved Laboratory. If you are unable to obtain valid rabies serology titer results before entering the United States, your dog(s) are subject to a 28-day quarantine period at your expense at one of the Animal Care Facilities above. To avoid the quarantine, you can obtain a rabies serology titer from a CDC-approved laboratory in one of 41 countries around the world. Note that a veterinarian must draw the blood sample for the titer at least 30 days after the dog’s first valid rabies vaccination and at least 28 days before entry to the United States—plan well in advance!
Your dog(s) must also appear healthy upon arrival into the United States. As this is at the discretion of the CDC official examining your dog(s), we strongly recommend documenting any physical disabilities (e.g. amputations, blindness, etc.) and submitting them to the CDC before your dog travels.
We also recommend testing and vaccinating your dog(s) for any local diseases and having that documentation handy for the CDC examiner as well. Show the examiner that you’ve been proactive in taking care of your dog(s)’s health and it will improve your chances of a positive result!
As when any new regulations come into effect, we expect an adjustment period for CDC officials, US Customs and Border Protection officers, and organizations seeking to bring dogs into the United States alike. SPCAI will continue to monitor the situation with our partners worldwide and post any applicable updates as we become aware of them.
In coordination with the service member who wishes to bring a stray dog or cat home, the following steps are required to complete the clearance and transport process:
- Initial request submitted and reviewed.
- Application and detailed information about Patriot Pets is sent to the service member.
- The completed application must be returned within 30 days.
- SPCAI staff confirms the animal meets the program requirements.
- Coordination of required vaccinations begins.
- Communication with the applicant continues.
- Coordination of pick up and transport of animal(s) to partner kennels.
- Animals are examined by a local veterinarian and given additional required vaccinations and/or treatments.
- In order to continue our work, we require the applicant to be financially responsible for $900 per dog (up to 2) and $450 per cat (up to 2) made in two installments. (The average total cost per animal is $5000 for dogs and $2500 for cats).
- Animals are then placed in the queue for departure in the order of arrival at the local kennel. Timeline is dependent on vaccinations and the number of animals waiting to leave; due to the new CDC regulations for dog importation to the US, the timeline for bringing your dog home will be between three to five months from the day we receive your dog and vaccinate him for Rabies (subject to change due to possible new CDC regulations, in addition to flight availabilities, and other potential factors).
- International flights are coordinated and scheduled. Please note that flights do not depart daily. There are many restrictions that may impede the transport: aircraft size and availability, coordination with flight volunteers, kennel space on aircraft, heat restrictions, export ministry office closures, illness, vaccinations, costs and route.
- Coordination of international travel paperwork begins.
- Plans are finalized with the applicant.
- Delivery of animal(s) to the airport is arranged.
- Animal departs. Depending on the route, this could take between 2 to 7 days to reach the U.S.
- Upon arrival, the animal is examined by a stateside veterinarian and boosted for rabies (dogs).
- Coordination of domestic cargo flight or ground transport with the family of the applicant is booked. THE CONSIGNEE MUST CONFIRM THE EMAIL BOOKING WITHIN 24 HOURS.
- Animal arrives HOME!
- Mission complete:
- Applicant/family sends a confirmation to staff upon arrival of the animal(s)
- Applicants must submit a review of their experience with Patriot Pets on Great Non-Profits and Google. This helps our program grow so we can continue to save more lives!
Your ongoing support helps not only to save the lives of these loyal animal companions but also to show our appreciation to our service men and women for the sacrifices they willingly make every day to protect our freedom. Help continue the healing relationship that develops between our military and these very important pets – donate today!