Congress·In Committee·H.R. 3349

New Health Rules for Importing Dogs

Healthy Dog Importation Act

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This bill requires anyone bringing a dog into the United States to provide electronic proof that the animal is healthy and up-to-date on vaccinations. A licensed veterinarian must sign off on these records before the dog is allowed to travel.
Dogs being brought into the country for sale or adoption must be at least 6 months old and have a special import permit. This is designed to prevent the trade of very young puppies that may be sick or too weak to travel long distances.
Every imported dog must have a permanent way to identify them, such as a microchip. This helps government officials track the animal's health history and ensure they match their medical paperwork.
There are exceptions for families traveling with their own pets, military working dogs, and dogs used for scientific research. These groups will not have to follow the same strict requirements as commercial importers.
If an importer breaks these rules, they will be responsible for the costs of the dog's medical care, quarantine, or the expense of sending the dog back to its home country.