U.S. delays tough new border rules for dogs — but could revive them in nine months, minister says

A recent decision to drop some burdensome new border-related paperwork requirements for Canadians entering the U.S. with their dogs might only be temporary, Canada's health minister says.

Citing concerns about the potential spread of rabies, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced earlier this month that new measures would be put in place for dogs entering the U.S. from countries like Canada that are considered low-risk or rabies-free.

The new rules, which were set to take effect in August, would have required dogs to be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and accompanied by two forms, including one signed by a veterinarian. The forms were supposed to include photos of the dog's teeth and would be verified upon arrival by border agents.

On Monday, the CDC announced that it would be relaxing those proposed requirements. 

The newly revised CDC rules state that as long as a dog has been in a low-risk or rabies-free country for the previous six months, it can cross the border with only an import form that can be completed online the day of travel.

But Health Minister Mark Holland said Tuesday that the relaxed rules may only be temporary and described the CDC decision as a nine month "grace period."

"We're going to continue our hard work to make sure when that nine month period is over that folks can still take their dogs back and forth across the border," Holland said during an unrelated press conference.

The update to the rules the CDC posted Monday doesn't suggest that the changes are only for a nine month period. CBC News has reached out to the CDC for clarification but has yet to receive a response.

When asked Tuesday if Canadians should be worried about the rules being reimposed after nine months, Holland didn't rule out the possibility.

"When you're dealing with other jurisdictions, change is always possible," he said, adding that Ottawa will lobby against the reintroduction of the stringent rules.

The measures that were initially proposed were panned by veterinary associations, the tourism industry and the Canadian government.

Holland said Tuesday that the grace period was secured after he spoke with CDC director Mandy Cohen on Friday.

"We worked through to try to improve the circumstance and fortunately we were able to get there for this nine month grace period," he said.

"We both share an interest in protecting our hemisphere against rabies and Canada is not a source country for rabies. So I think this action recognizes the low risk that Canada represents."