Canada’s Health Minister Expresses Concern Over New U.S. Border Rules for Dogs

Health Minister Mark Holland has raised concerns over the upcoming changes to U.S. border regulations for dogs crossing from Canada, expressing that the rules were not thoroughly considered. Holland secured concessions, highlighting that the regulations, effective August 1, would impact both Canadian and American dog owners.

Holland revealed that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) new requirements for dog entry have been relaxed. One significant amendment includes accepting any type of microchip for identification instead of a specific one. Additionally, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will no longer verify vaccine certificates, with a local veterinarian certifying rabies vaccinations six months prior to travel.

The U.S. will introduce a specific form for Canadian dogs, allowing multiple entries based on the validity of the rabies vaccination. Holland hinted at a possible grace period awaiting approval, emphasizing that the recent concessions improve the situation but are not entirely sufficient.

In discussions with the U.S., Holland is focused on obtaining a grace period and potential exemptions for Canada. He emphasized the need for policy alignment between the two rabies-free countries, underscoring the importance of protecting both nations.

Barbara Barrett, executive director of the Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA), expressed concerns over the regulations’ adverse effects on cross-border tourism and traffic. She advocated for a complete exemption for Canada, citing the potential negative impacts the rules could have.

Holland criticized the new requirement for owners to submit a photo of their dog alongside the CDC form, deeming it an inefficient use of border officers’ time. He stressed the need for rational border policies that consider the shared rabies-free status of both countries.