1. Age of Animal

 

Dogs:

To travel to the USA, dogs must be at least 6 months or older (South Africa is classified as a high-risk Rabies country). They need their own Rabies vaccination, which can be given at 12 weeks, and a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test report (details in section 6).

 

Cats:

Cats must be 4 months or older and must travel on their own valid Rabies vaccination.

 

2. Microchip

 

Your pet must be microchipped. The microchip should be implanted either before or at the same time as the Rabies vaccination. Only a microchip implanted by an official, registered veterinarian will be accepted for export purposes.

 

Please note: Ensure that the microchip is readable by ISO-compatible readers. If a microchip fails, a new one must be implanted, and the entire process must be restarted. This means a new Rabies vaccination will need to be administered, either on the same day or after the new microchip is implanted.

 

3. Rabies Vaccination Information for Dogs

 

Your pet’s primary Rabies vaccination must be older than 30 days, but not older than one year. Some three-year Rabies vaccinations may be accepted depending on the manufacturer’s specifications, so check with one of our consultants to confirm.

 

From 1st August 2024, all foreign-vaccinated dogs entering the United States from countries considered high-risk for rabies must have a valid Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form. This form must be completed within 30 days prior to travel to the U.S. We will provide this form to our clients.

 

The CDC will not accept foreign-issued pet passports or any other certificates as proof of rabies vaccination.

 

• Dogs receiving their first rabies vaccination must be vaccinated at least 28 days before travelling.

• Puppies must not be vaccinated against rabies before they are 12 weeks (3 months) old. The rabies vaccination record must include the puppy’s age or date of birth.

• Adult dogs (15 months or older) must show a history of prior rabies vaccinations, with at least one vaccine administered after 3 months of age and a current booster rabies vaccination. With this record, adult dogs do not need to wait 28 days before travelling.

 

Please note: The rabies vaccination record must include the following details:

 

• Name and address of the owner;

• Breed, sex, date of birth (or approximate age if the date of birth is unknown), colour, markings, and any other identifying information for the dog;

• Date of rabies vaccination and vaccine product information;

• Vaccination expiry date;

• Name, license number, address, and signature of the veterinarian who administered the vaccination.

 

Please be aware: The CDC does not accept the following as proof of rabies vaccination:

 

• A letter of exemption from a veterinarian;

• Health certificates or pet passports without evidence of rabies vaccination.

 

Important: If your dog does not meet CDC requirements, entry into the United States may be denied. In such cases, your dog could be returned to the last country of departure (the location where the most recent trip began, not the country of birth), at the owner’s expense.

 

Please note: Only a registered veterinarian can administer these vaccinations for export purposes. Vaccinations given by a veterinary nurse, breeder, or welfare organization staff are not accepted.

 

4. Rabies Vaccination Information for Cats

 

The Rabies vaccination must be administered at least 30 days before departure and must be no older than one year at the time of travel.

 

Please note: Only a registered veterinarian can administer these vaccinations for export purposes. Vaccinations given by a veterinary nurse, breeder, or welfare organization staff are not accepted.

 

5. Annual Vaccinations

 

Annual vaccinations for dogs and cats are recommended. The vaccinations must be older than 30 days but not older than one year upon arrival. A valid vaccination certificate will be necessary if your pet requires boarding or kenneling before or after travel.

 

For Dogs: Canine Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Canine Parvovirus, Canine Parainfluenza, Bordetella Bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough), and Leptospirosis.

 

For Cats: Feline Panleukopenia (Infectious Enteritis/Feline Distemper), Feline Rhinotracheitis, and Feline Calicivirus.

 

Please note: As with Rabies, these vaccinations must be administered by a registered veterinarian.

 

6. Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) for Dogs

 

Blood samples must be taken at least 30 days after the dog’s initial rabies vaccination. The test result must show an antibody level of 0.5 IU/ml or higher. Following the blood draw, the dog must wait 28 days before being eligible to enter the USA. Test results remain valid for one year.

 

Please note: Blood for export purposes must be drawn exclusively by a registered veterinarian. All required information must be accurately completed on the laboratory submission form.

 

7. CDC Dog Import Form

 

The required Import Form can be completed using the following link: CDC Dog Import Form

 

Each dog must have its own form. If you are bringing more than one dog into the United States, a separate form must be completed for each one.

 

The receipt is valid for a single entry into the U.S. and only on the arrival date specified. The form can be submitted at any time before travel, except for dogs under one year old, whose photo must be taken within 15 days of travel to the U.S.

 

If there are any changes to the flight, airline, or travel date, a new CDC Dog Import Form must be submitted.

 

For this reason, we recommend waiting for approval from your Pet Travel Consultant before completing the form.

 

There is no limit to the number of dogs you can bring into the U.S., as long as they meet the CDC’s import requirements.

 

8. Approved Airports for Dogs Arrival

 

Dogs vaccinated abroad that have been in a high-risk country within the last 6 months are not permitted to enter the U.S. via a land border crossing. They must arrive at an approved airport with a CDC-Registered Animal Care Facility.

 

9. Screw Worm Examination for Dogs

 

Dogs must be checked for screwworm during the health examination for the Health Certificate.

 

10. Health Certificate

 

Your pet must travel with a Health Certificate issued by a private veterinarian within 5 days of arrival, verifying that all necessary requirements have been met.

This certificate for dogs only must be countersigned by the State.

We will provide our clients with the correct Health Certificate template to ensure compliance.

 

If you have any further questions, please contact Global Paws. We're here to help!