Bringing dogs to U.S. about to get difficult

Animals must have specific microchip and 'appear healthy'

- RAISA PATEL

Health Minister Mark Holland said the new U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regulations could hurt tourism and hospitality industries, confuse airlines and unfairly target those who rely on service animals.

The biggest issue facing Canada-U.S. relations this summer might not be the unknowns swirling around the impending American presidential election - it could be about new hurdles Canadians will face carting their canine companions across the border.

Starting Aug. 1, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will enforce new rules for travellers hoping to enter the United States with their dogs.

Health Minister Mark Holland said Wednesday the incoming changes prompted him to push for concessions for Canadians during a trip to Washington last week, with the minister arguing the regulations could snarl both countries' supply chains, hurt tourism and hospitality industries in border communities, confuse airlines and unfairly target those who rely on service animals.

"I was hopeful in my trip to Washington that we would make more progress than we did," said Holland, who said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, MPs and government agencies have all been engaged with U.S. officials on the matter.

"We made good progress. I think this significantly improves the situation, but it's not enough." The new CDC rules require that all dogs entering the U.S. with their owners must be at least six months old, be implanted with a certain type of microchip and must "appear healthy" upon arrival.