Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service September 1, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are proposing to amend the regulations to implement an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 added a new section to the AWA to restrict the importation of certain live dogs. Consistent with this amendment, this proposed rule would, with certain limited exceptions, prohibit the importation of dogs from any part of the world into the continental United States or Hawaii for purposes of resale, research, or veterinary treatment, unless the dogs are in good health, have received all necessary vaccinations, and are at least 6 months of age. This proposed rule is necessary to implement the amendment to the AWA and would help to ensure the welfare of imported dogs.