BUFFALO, N.Y. — July 4th week means the dog days of summer are here. Many in Western New York are throwing their kids and dogs in the car and escaping up north to try to beat the heat at the beach in Canada.Starting Aug. 1, dog owners will have to prepare a list of five things for their pets to be able to re-enter the country. In the past, if you wanted to take your game of fetch across the border, all you needed to return home was your identification and proof of your dog’s rabies vaccine.
The disease hasn’t been a concern for the U.S. since it was eliminated in the states in 2007, but the growing concerns worldwide have prompted the CDC to introduce strict guidelines to prevent the disease from returning. Amid the changes comes concern about cost by some dog owners. Obtaining a microchip and vaccinations from a certified veterinarian both result in out-of-pocket costs. However, the CDC is not charging a fee for the dog import form.