The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiated a temporary import ban on dogs from rabies risk countries this week. This after the number of imported dogs from so-called risk countries with rabies has risen sharply in recent years. Also the number of inadequately vaccinated dogs when importing. A country that is also classified as a high-risk country by the US-American authorities is Russia, the host country of the Agility World Championship in 2022. As things stand, it would not be easy to return from Russia with the dogs. The new, so far temporary law is due to come into force on July 14th.
The regulation should even apply retrospectively for 6 months. This means that if the dog has been in a high-risk country within the last six months, entry will be refused. The United States of America has been considered extinct since 2007. In addition to Russia, there are countries such as South Africa, Ukraine, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and many other countries where rabies is still widespread. The CDC can grant exceptions. To what extent an international competition like the Agility World Championship is classified is currently still unclear. The American Kennel Club will provide further information.
The American Kennel Club was one of the driving forces behind the new law. This position was already taken in 2018. They still welcome the import of dogs from overseas, but only fully vaccinated, free from any infections, parasites and other contagious diseases. An entry with dogs from such areas, but which have an appropriate vaccination, is currently only possible via the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City, where the US customs and the border protection authorities have appropriate facilities. It can be assumed that there will be a separate solution for such cases as the 2022 World Cup in Moscow.