ASPCA President Matt Bershadker Seeks Revision to CDC Ban on Importation of Dogs
On July 14, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a temporary ban on the importation of dogs from over 100 countries to prevent the emergence of rabies in the United States and to prevent breeders from smuggling unvaccinated puppies into the country under false pretenses. However, the ASPCA® is concerned that this policy will harm the work of international dog rescue organizations and potentially prevent families from bringing their pet dogs into the U.S.
The blanket ban would appear to cripple efforts of rescue organizations, like Mission K9, devoted to bringing working dogs home to the United States after these animals are retired from years spent protecting American service members abroad.
The ASPCA’s President and CEO Matt Bershadker wrote a letter to the CDC explaining why the agency should revise the policy to accommodate rescue organizations and American families abroad seeking to return their pets to the US. Download the full letter.