Pets which are transported internationally should be free of communicable diseases that may be transmissible to humans. U.S. Public Health Service regulations place the following restrictions on the importation of dogs, cats, nonhuman primates and turtles:

DOGS—Dogs older than 3 months presented for importation from countries where rabies is known to occur (See Table 19), must be accompanied by a valid rabies vaccination certificate which includes the following information:

1. The breed, sex, age, color, markings, and other identifying information,
2. Vaccination date at least 30 days prior to importation (See below)
3. Vaccination expiration date. If not shown, the date of vaccination must be within 12 months prior to the importation, and
4. Signature of a licensed veterinarian.

Dogs not accompanied by the above described certificate may be admitted, provided the importer completes a confinement agreement. Such dogs must be kept in confinement during transit to, and be vaccinated within 4 days after arrival at, the U.S. destination. Such dogs must remain in confinement for at least 30 days after the date of vaccination.

Dogs less than 3 months of age may be admitted, provided the importer completes a confinement agreement. Such dogs must be kept in confinement during transit and at the U.S. destination until vaccinated at 3 months of age and for at least 30 days after vaccination. Routine rabies vaccination of dogs is recommended in the U.S. and is required by most State and local health authorities.

CATS—While proof of rabies vaccination is not required for cats, routine rabies vacci-nation of cats is recommended in the U.S. and is required by most State and local health authorities.

TURTLES—Turtles may transmit salmonellosis to humans, and because small turtles are often kept as pets, restrictions apply to their importation. Live turtles with a carapace (shell) length of less than 4 inches and viable turtle eggs may be imported into the United States if the importation is not for commercial purposes. The Public Health Service has no restrictions on the importation of live turtles with a carapace length of more than 4 inches.

MONKEYS AND OTHER NONHUMAN PRIMATES—Nonhuman primates may transmit a variety of serious diseases to humans. Live monkeys and other nonhuman primates may be imported into the United States only by importers registered with CDC and only for scientific, educational, or exhibition purposes. Monkeys and other nonhu-man primates may not be imported for use as pets.

MEASURES AT PORT OF ENTRY
U.S. Public Health Service regulations provide for the examination of admissible dogs, cats, nonhuman primates and turtles presented for importation into the U.S. Animals with evidence of disease that may be transmissible to humans may be subject to additional disease control measures.

GENERAL
For additional information regarding importation of these animals, contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Attention: National Center for Infectious Diseases, Division of Quarantine, Mailstop E03, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, Telephone (404) 639-8107.

Persons planning to import horses, ruminants, swine, poultry, birds, and dogs used in handling livestock should contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding addi-tional requirements, Telephone (301) 436-8170.

Persons planning to import fish, reptiles, spiders, wild birds, rabbits, bears, wild members of the cat family, or other wild or endangered animals should contact the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Telephone (202) 342-9242.

Travelers planning to take a pet to a foreign country are advised to meet entry requirements of the country of destination. To obtain this information write to or call the country’s embassy in Washington, D.C. or to the consulate nearest you.