Globetrotting pooches need new papers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently revised a 70-year-old regulation designed to prevent the spread of rabies into the United States by requiring additional documentation for dogs that are flown into the country.

The agency's goal, as stated in an August 12 briefing attended by AOPA Director of Airspace, Air Traffic, and Security Jim McClay, is to prevent the reintroduction of dog rabies, which was last seen in the United States in 2007. About 1 million dogs are imported to the country each year (according to CDC definitions, importation includes bringing your own pet into the United States), and the new requirement that each have an air waybill was intended to apply to airline flights: Airlines must create an air waybill for each dog flown into the United States, and request a waiver from the CDC if they are unable to create the waybill.

Unfortunately, this "airline" requirement includes general aviation, since CDC does not distinguish between commercial and private operations—the agency's use of the term "airlines" includes both. Because GA pilots cannot create an air waybill, they, too, now need to request a waiver. The process for obtaining one is laid out on a CDC information page. The good news is that the process can be done online very quickly.

"It was an oversight," McClay said of the CDC's inclusion of GA in this requirement, noting the agency is considering a permanent waiver to apply to GA flights. "While they have not made a decision, CDC understands the problems this is causing—it will simply take some time to remedy."

International travel with dogs has long required paperwork, including an importation form that varies depending on country of origin—additional documentation is required for dogs arriving from countries with a high rate of canine rabies infection. (Dogs arriving from countries deemed high risk must be vaccinated against rabies; dogs who have not spent any time in such a country in the preceding six months are allowed to enter without vaccination, provided other requirements are met.) Dogs must also be microchipped, appear healthy at time of boarding, and be at least six months old.

A single waiver covers all flights and all dogs flown by the same operator during the 90 days it is initially in effect. The CDC recommends applying for a nine-month extension soon after the initial waiver is granted, if the need is anticipated. The waiver must be issued to whomever has "operational control" of the flight.

As for cats, they are also mentioned in 42 CFR 71.51, but the requirements are minimal. Cats do not require their own paperwork, though cats arriving ill will be required to undergo a veterinary examination to rule out diseases that can be transmitted to humans, at the importer's expense. If the cat is no longer alive on arrival, a necropsy is required.

The CDC considers U.S. territories to be "domestic" for purposes of pet importation policy, so the requirements do not apply to any dogs arriving to the U.S. mainland from Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or other territories.

There are a number of details and nuances to consider when bringing a pet into the United States, so reviewing the information on the CDC website before doing so is highly recommended.