People traveling from other countries to the United States with their pets should check with the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-us/index.html) and APHIS (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/another-country-to-us-import) regarding rules for importing pets into the United States.
When entering the United States, pets may need to meet specific health requirements, depending on where they come from. Dogs, cats, and other pets are subject to measures to prevent the spread of diseases. If a pet is found to be sick, the case must be reported to state and federal authorities.
Upon arriving in the United States, all dogs and cats are visually inspected by US Public Health Service personnel at the airport. Only healthy animals can enter the country. If a pet shows signs of illness, it must be examined and treated at the owner's expense.
Cats must appear healthy to enter the country. Rabies vaccination is not federally required for cats, but some US states require it.
Dogs can enter the United States without restrictions if they appear healthy and have been in a rabies-free area for at least 6 months or since birth. Dogs from high-risk countries need proof of rabies vaccination. Those from low-risk or rabies-free countries do not.
Dogs from other countries can enter if they are 6 months or older, are healthy, have a microchip (a small electronic device placed under their skin by a veterinarian to identify the dog and its owner), and have a valid rabies vaccination certificate and CDC Dog Import Form (https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/dog-import-form-instructions.html). Vaccination certificates must be signed by a licensed veterinarian and show the certificate’s expiration date, which must be after the dog’s arrival date in the United States.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), an agency within the USDA, has specific requirements for working dogs (that are kept with livestock like sheep and goats) to prevent them from bringing certain kinds of tapeworm parasites into the United States (see https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/another-country-to-us-import/dogs).
The CDC doesn't regulate horse importation unless the horse carries a disease that can affect humans. APHIS requires that horses coming from certain countries be isolated and monitored for illness for varying periods of time, depending on the country, before they can enter the United States. Contact the port veterinarian at an APHIS animal import center (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/live-animal-import/animal-import-centers) for more information.
If you have traveled outside of the United States with your pet and are returning, once you get home, schedule a vet check for your pet, which may include blood tests. Pets may need treatment for any issues that arose during travel.
