Great news: bringing you faithful hound to the land of opportunity is perfectly possible. But you’ll need to be aware of the new CDC rules for importing dogs into the U.S., which came into effect on 1 August 2024. (Note that these new rules are only affecting dogs, not cats.)

In a nutshell, dogs will need to be six months of age and should have a rabies vaccination.

Tip: The rabies jab is a bit of a grey area, but our wise partners at Jets4Pets generally recommend that owners have it done to avoid any potential issues on arrival.

The rules are there to make sure that imported dogs do not bring canine rabies into the U.S. The UK is classified as a low or no-risk country by the CDC, so if your dog has only been living in the UK then this is all you’ll need.

What are the requirements for importing dogs?

Age Requirement: All dogs must be at least six months old before they can be imported into the U.S.

Microchip Requirement: Each dog must have an ISO-compatible microchip for identification purposes.

Documentation: You’ll need to fill out and submit the CDC Dog Import Form online. Once the form has been processed, the receipt is valid for six months.

When should I submit my CDC Dog Import Form?

You can do this any time before leaving, including on the day of travel. But obviously, we don’t advise doing this. If there’s any delay in processing the form then your beloved pooch would be stranded. The receipt for the form is valid for six months, so fill it in as early as possible.

My dog has been in a country other than the UK within the last six months. Do I need to do anything else?

Check the CDC list to see if that country is a High Risk Country for Dog Rabies using this list. If the country doesn’t appear on that list, then just follow the steps above.

But…

High-Risk Countries: If you’re importing a dog from a high-risk rabies country, there are stricter requirements, including a need for proof of rabies vaccination and possibly quarantine at a CDC-registered Animal Care Facility.

The CDC lists the vaccination requirements here.

If your dog is not vaccinated against rabies and has been in a high risk country in the six months prior to being imported to the U.S., it will not be allowed in.

Can I Bring My Dog in the Cabin With Me?

When flying directly from the UK to the USA, the answer will generally no. But always check first with the airline you’re flying with! For example, KLM, Air France, and Air Canada have more dog-friendly policies.

KLM‘s website says:

There’s limited space for pets in our aircraft; the number of pets we can bring depends on the type of aircraft, destination, and operating airline. Availability may also vary based on your specific flight route. Please make a reservation for your pet as soon as possible after booking your flight. Make the reservation no later than 48 hours before the departure of your flight.

Note that your pet should travel on the same flight as you and should be at least 15 weeks old.

You can bring 1 cat or dog with you in the cabin when travelling in Economy Class, or when travelling in Business Class within Europe. Your pet should fit in a closed pet travel bag or kennel with a maximum of 46 x 28 x 24 cm because they’ll need to travel underneath the seat in front of you. Together with your pet, the travel bag or kennel can weigh no more than 8 kg. You’re not allowed to take your pet out of the kennel during the flight, so please make sure they’re small enough to move comfortably.

You cannot bring a pet in the cabin if you fly Premium Comfort Class or Business Class on an intercontinental route. In these travel classes, it’s not possible to put a kennel underneath the seat in front of you.

Make a reservation for your pet travelling in the cabin as soon as possible after booking your flight.

Air France are also cool with it, subject to certain conditions:

Permitted animals You can travel with a dog or cat weighing up to 8 kg /17.64 lb. (including the carrier) if you have received prior authorization from customer service. Your pet must be at least 15 weeks old and be up-to-date on their vaccines. Your pet must be at least 8  weeks old for flights within Metropolitan France (including Corsica) and between Metropolitan  France and Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion Island.   Long-haul flights in the Business cabin Air  France does not accept pets in the Business cabin for long-haul flights. To ensure its safety, your dog or cat must travel in the hold. Please note that snub-nosed animals are not allowed in the hold. Traveling with snub-nosed animals in the cabin Snub-nosed animals such as Pug, Bulldog, Boxer, Pekingese, or Shih Tzu dogs, as well as Persian cats, can experience breathing difficulties. We recommend asking your veterinarian for advice before planning air travel for your pet.

Finally, here is Air Canada’s policy:

You’re welcome to bring your cat or small dog in the cabin with you provided it is small enough to stand, turn around and lie down in its carrier under the seat in front of you.

Just make sure to let us know in advance, as space is sometimes limited. See the ‘What else do I need to know’  section (at right) for details.

And a reminder that your pet cannot travel with you in the cabin if you:

Are an unaccompanied minor

Are seated in an exit or bulkhead row

Require the use of a medical device that needs to be stowed underneath the seat

Are travelling in our Premium Economy cabin, as the layout of Premium Economy seats does not allow for the safe stowage of a pet carrier.

Anything else?

Lots of airlines will also ask for a health certificate from your vet stating your pet is healthy and fit to fly. This has to be completed within 10 days of the flight.

IATA-compliant crates

As if everything wasn’t already expensive enough, you’ll also need to make sure that you get a dog crate that’s IATA compliant. Most stores will be clear about whether their crates are in compliance.

Snub-nosed pets

Snub-nosed pets may find it difficult to breathe during the flight because of high temperatures and stress. Airlines suggest checking the breed of your dog before making a reservation, as there may be special considerations for certain breeds.

Who Can Help Me?

Our wonderful partners at Jets4Pets can assist you and your furry friend as you undertake your transatlantic journey. Here, they’ve covered some Frequently Asked Questions about taking your pet to America: