Congressman Langworthy Leads Six NY Lawmakers on Bipartisan Letter to Urge CDC to Delay Pet Travel Rule

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Nick Langworthy led a bipartisan effort to urge the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Mandy Cohen to delay the implementation of new rules that will require all dogs entering the United States from Canada to be older than six months, “appear healthy,” have a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-endorsed export health certificate and a CDC-approved Dog Import Form, effective August 1, 2024. This is an addendum to the letter Congressman Langworthy sent to the CDC last week.

“I’m grateful that six of my colleagues have joined me in this urgent and critical request to delay these burdensome new dog import rules,” said Congressman Langworthy. “These rules go into effect in just a few short weeks during our peak travel season. This stands to be devastating to members of our bi-national community, burdening families and local businesses. We are asking for an 18-month delay in implementing these rules to allow for further consultation with stakeholders to find a balanced approach that maintains public health without imposing unnecessary hardships on dog owners.”

The letter was signed by Reps. Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Michael Lawler (NY-17), Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Marc Molinaro (NY-19), and Nick LaLota (NY-01).

The members wrote in the letter, "We are concerned that the strict requirements, such as the minimum age for importation, may disproportionately affect low-risk importations without commensurate public health benefits.”

The letter highlights several concerns, including logistical challenges for importing younger puppies, confusion surrounding the new CDC Dog Import Form, and the potential negative impact on lawful canine activities across borders. The lawmakers emphasized that the public comment period lacked clarity, which may have led to a depressed response from affected groups.

The letter is also supported by outside organizations, including the American Kennel Club, Ducks Unlimited, and Delta Waterfowl.

The full text of the letter can be found here.