The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published new rules for passengers who are bringing a dog to the U.S. The purpose of this regulation is to protect the health and safety of the people and animals against risk associated with dog-maintained rabies virus variant (DMRVV).

Passengers need to take certain new steps which depend on where the dog has been in the past 6 months.

All dogs accepted as checked baggage (AVI) or as service animal (SVAN) for travel to the U.S. must comply with following requirements:

• Dog must appear healthy and be at least 6 months old
• Dog must be microchipped
• Customers must complete following CDC Dog Import Form and carry evidence of the electronic receipt from CDC (printed receipt or show it on the phone):

https://cdc-786687.workflowcloud.com/forms/090dc543-7b2f-4538-b2c7-2919d12ecc73

• Customers must submit form online prior to their travel
• Each dog must have a separate form

Customers carrying a dog from high-risk countries for dog rabies are mandated to fulfill additional requirements based on high risk`s dog vaccination history.

List of high-risk countries can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/high-risk-countries.html. If country is not listed, it`s considered as a dog-rabies free or low risk country.

Requirements are based on passenger`s dog situation, i.e. if in the 6 months prior to entering the U.S., dog has been:

• Only in dog rabies free or low-risk countries
• In any high-risk country, but:
  • Vaccinated in the U.S. - vaccinated in foreign country (not U.S.)
  • Not vaccinated

Further details and latest updates can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/index.html. 

Rebooking waiver for passengers holding tickets issued on QR/157 stock or plate:

• No waiver applies for customers carrying  a dog from dog-rabies free or low risk country
• Please contact Qatar Airways contact Center or Local Qatar Airways Office, if customers do not fulfill requirements to carry dog from high-risk countries.

No refund and/or no-show waiver applies for passengers holding tickets issued on QR/157 stock or plate.