WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND), co-chairs of the American-Canadian Economy and Security (ACES) Caucus, are introducing legislation to address a dog importation rule from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that has made traveling worldwide more difficult for military and diplomatic families, and those with service animals, living abroad to bring their dog back to the United States. While the rule is intended to lessen the risk of the spread of canine rabies, it has created a cumbersome process when crossing the border — including implanting a microchip in the dog that contains its medical history. The Homeward Bound Act seeks to remove these unnecessary barriers that certain owners and their dogs face when they return from low-risk rabies countries such as Canada.

Under the Homeward Bound Act, military, diplomatic families and service dogs would be provided an 18-month waiver from the CDC’s dog importation rule and the restriction required dogs to be at least six months old when imported from low-risk rabies countries would be eliminated. Additionally, it would also remove the microchip requirement for dogs born prior to the bill’s enactment and would only apply to dogs coming from low-risk countries. The bill also grandfathers in dogs born before the introduction of this rule from the microchip requirement.

“Many American families enjoy the love and companionship of pet dogs — including those serving our country abroad,” said Senator Angus King. “However, recent rules put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have created additional hurdles that make bringing your dog back to the U.S. a needlessly complicated process — creating a burden on military families, diplomats and those who rely on a service dog. The bipartisan Homeward Bound Act would provide more flexibility for these Americans traveling back home from low-risk countries, and help prevent unnecessary separation between owners and their four-legged friends.”

“The CDC’s dog importation regulation poses significant and unnecessary burdens,” said Senator Cramer. “Whether it’s Canadians coming to North Dakota to hunt with their dog or Americans going to Canada to pick up their newest pet, cross-border travel is common place. Similarly, individuals with service dogs, members of the military, and diplomats with pets frequently come in and out of the country. Traveling with pets is hard enough without saddling families with the CDC’s newest requirements. The Homeward Bound Act fixes this bureaucratic overreach, while upholding public health protections.”

Despite recent revisions to the CDC regulation prompted by public and Congressional feedback, the rule still complicates pet transport from low-risk countries. In July, Senator King joined a bipartisan letter urging the CDC to revise the new border regulations for dogs, which were set to take effect on August 1, 2024 and were seen as flawed with unintended, detrimental consequences. In response, the CDC announced critical revisions, including delaying a key provision on requiring a rabies certification form until at least April 2025 to allow for further review.

A companion bill has been introduced in the House by Representatives Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) and Mary Peltola (D-AK).

The legislation has been endorsed by the Humane Society Legislative Fund, Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, the Canadian Snowbird Association, Signature Pet Transport and Doug the Pug.

In addition to launching the ACES Caucus, Senator King has previously supported bipartisan efforts to strengthen the economic and national security relationship between the US and Canada. He has advocated for bolstering northern border security efforts, introduced the Arctic Commitment Act to address Artic warming, and negotiated funding for the modernization of Maine land ports to strengthen security and trade between Maine and Canada. This summer, he celebrated the opening of a new U.S. Port of Entry in Madawaska, which strengthens connectivity between northern Maine and Canada. Senator King has also been a staunch advocate of efforts to bolster public health initiatives and keep Maine people and animals safe. Last summer, he introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen the CDC’s mosquito response and control efforts to fight the spread of dangerous diseases like West Nile Virus.

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