Reputable International Pet Rescues Dismayed by CDC Dog Import Ban

In June of 2021 the CDC the import of dogs from more than 100 countries, including Afghanistan (where US military families were stationed), where rabies is a problem. The CDC states: “This temporary action is necessary to ensure the health and safety of dogs imported into the United States and to protect the public’s health against the reintroduction of canine rabies virus variant (dog rabies) into the United States,” the CDC said. Unlike countries like Britain and Australia, the United States is not a rabies free country has several strains that affect wildlife, cats and dogs. The ban has put a huge burden onto rescues who work extremely hard, including Street Dog Pals and our partners in Turkey, to ensure the health and proper documentation of dogs imported into the United States for adoption. Despite the fact that Street Dog Pals and our partners in Turkey are run by a small group of volunteers and are primarily funded by donations, we have always ensured that pets are legally vaccinated, that the legal documentation is provided an that our dogs are selected for both health and temperament. Street Dog Pals and our partners in Turkey strongly oppose this ban. We will continue to provide resources to our friends in Turkey for the rescue and care of homeless dog in Turkey.