New bill seeks to add 18-month waiver from CDC international pet travel rule

U.S. Rep. Tim Kennedy (D-NY-26) has introduced a new bill, the Homeward Bound Act, which would give military families, diplomatic families and service dogs an 18-month waiver from the CDC’s new pet travel rule, which requires all dogs coming into the U.S. from other countries be at least 6 months old and microchipped to help prevent the spread of rabies.

The proposed bill would also eliminate the age requirement and require microchips for dogs born after enactment of the bill. 

“The current CDC rules for pets have created unnecessary red tape, especially for people and families in our community who frequently cross the U.S.-Canadian border,” said Kennedy. “I am proud to join the bipartisan Homeward Bound Act to ease the burden for military families and people with service dogs while keeping people and commerce moving and protecting public health.” 

Kennedy is a co-sponsor of the bills, along with U.S. Reps. Mary Peltola (AK-AL) and Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL), and U.S. Sens. Angus King (I-ME) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND).

“Alaskans rely on our dogs, not just for companionship, but for transportation and protection,” said Rep. Peltola. “Recent CDC rule changes are unworkable for many Alaskan families, especially those who frequently cross into Canada, and for dog musher teams that travel to and from the Lower 48. I’m proud to co-lead the bipartisan Homeward Bound Act – Alaskans spoke up, and we listened.”

In July, Kennedy joined a bipartisan letter urging the CDC to pause the new rule, which went into effect Aug. 1. Kennedy in August also introduced the Border-Crossing and Re-Entry for K9s Act, which would permanently pause the CDC Dog Importation Rule for pet owners and dogs traveling from low-risk countries.