Applying for Dog Import Permit for Fiance wanting to bring her Dog?

[amh123 2]

Hello,

My question is my fiance wants to bring her 14 year old dog with her (From Colombia to Houston, TX)(assuming in ~3 months given the current timeline of receiving NOA2 3 weeks ago and NVC email today.) and wanted to see if anyone else has done this process to confirm what all is required.

Colombia falls under the High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies per CDC

My understanding is there are 3 requirements to meet:

- CDC Requirements
- USDA Requirements
- Texas Department of State Health Services Requirements

1) CDC Requirements - Rabies

CDC website it states: "CDC is extending its temporary suspension of dog importation from high-risk dog rabies countries until July 31, 2024. This suspension includes dogs arriving from countries without high risk of rabies if the dogs have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months."  This ban has been in effect since July 2021. 

https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dog-origin.html#:~:text=CDC is extending its temporary,in the past 6 months.

On an extremely limited basis, CDC has the authority to issue advance written approval (a CDC Dog Import Permit) to bring a dog from a high-risk country. If you wish to import a dog from a high-risk country, you must request advance written approval by emailing CDCanimalimports@cdc.gov at least 30 business days (6 weeks) before you intend to enter the United States. No CDC Dog Import Permits are issued upon arrival. Dogs that arrive from high-risk countries without advance written approval from CDC will be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at the importer’s expense. 

 

Beginning March 1, 2023, all foreign-vaccinated dogs entering the United States from rabies high-risk countries must have a valid CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record in addition to either a CDC Dog Import Permit or a reservation at a CDC-approved animal care facility. CDC will NOT accept foreign-issued pet passports or any other certificates for foreign rabies vaccinations.

 

Foreign-vaccinated dogs coming from high-risk countries are now required to use the CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record as proof of rabies vaccination. Use of this record is also encouraged for US-vaccinated dogs, though not required. Dogs entering the United States from high-risk countries are still required to meet all requirements of the temporary suspension"

Has anyone successfully completed a CDC Dog Import Permit from a High-Risk Country?

2) USDA Requirements - Screwworm & Foot and Mouth Disease
 

• The dog has been inspected for screwworm within 5 days prior to shipment to the United States; and
• The dog is either free from screwworm OR
• The dog was infested with screwworm, held in quarantine, and treated until free from screwworm prior to leaving the region.
• Their fur and bedding must be free of excessive dirt, hay, or straw. 
• The dog should be bathed as soon as it reaches its destination and kept separate from all livestock for 5 days after entering the United States.
• Dogs used in livestock handling that are imported from any part of the world except Canada, Mexico, and certain regions of Central America and the West Indies should have no evidence of tapeworm infection.
   

3) Texas Requirements
 

Once in Texas, if a USDA-approved vaccine was not used or the veterinarian who administered it was not licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the United States, compliance must be achieved. For entry into Texas, the following criteria must be met: 

• At the time of vaccination, the animal was at least the minimum age prescribed for the vaccine; and 
• The time elapsed since the most recent vaccination has not exceeded the recommended interval for the booster vaccination as established by the vaccine’s manufacturer. 
• Additionally, to qualify as being currently vaccinated, 30 days must have lapsed since the initial vaccination. 

[Ontarkie 13,927]

~~MOved to Moving Here and Your New Life, from K1 P&P - as the topic is not a K1 visa question but a questions about bringing the beloved dog to the US.~~

Edited October 18, 2023 by Ontarkie

[Timona 3,960]

@Rocio0010 can help

[Rocio0010 5,571]

My help on this is somehow limited since my dog came from Argentina, which is low risk. However, there are a few things that are universal.

 

First of all, you don’t mention the breed. But that is very important, because not all airlines will fly certain breeds and if they do, you need to know if they fly with her or as cargo, and the kennel requirements. If they fly cargo, you will need a customs broker, which requires its own paperwork and timing. 
You also need to check the Colombian requirements for exporting dogs.

[Boiler 43,627]

https://www.k9jets.com/

 

I have no idea how it operates in Colombia, just remembered there is at least one specialist service.

 

 

[Rocio0010 5,571]

12 hours ago, Boiler said:

https://www.k9jets.com/

 

I have no idea how it operates in Colombia, just remembered there is at least one specialist service.

 

 

Usually those services are skyrocketing expensive, and unnecessary. What OP needs to do is to read the information presented on the ICA webpage to check on the requirements to leave Colombia. 

 

On the U.S side, he'll most likely need a broker, especially if the pet is flying as cargo and will have to be picked up at a cargo facility.

 

Last but not least, OP will need to pay the import fee at cargo. These offices handle payment in different ways, so you need to know these things beforehand. For example, Cargo JFK ONLY takes cash, whereas cargo Miami ONLY takes cc

[Skyler2017 20]

I have not completed this as we are still in process - I am leaving the US next week and my 3-year old Boxer (short-snout) is coming 2 weeks after me. I have completed the CDC dog permit process (South Africa - high-risk) and surprisingly, the 4 week (max 8 week process) that is stated on the CDC website ended up being much much faster. I had a one-day turn-around and approval for entry at DFW. I myself am using a local service provider to assist me with the export via Turkish Airlines cargo, which is expensive but they have already made the process much more streamlined, if you can afford this, it is worthwhile imo. The service is also taking care of the Texas requirements for me.

For the CDC dog permit application, I of course had to do the rabies titer which in South Africa had an 8-week turnaround - you will need to enquire with your vet on the turnaround time for the CDC-approved testing centre as listed on their website for Colombia. I would get started asap.

You are welcome to dm me if you have specific questions.