SAN DIEGO — On August 1, new requirements by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for dogs coming into the U.S. from other countries will go into effect. This is mainly to prevent the dog rabies virus from re-entering the U.S.
The Animal Pad rescues dogs from across the border. CBS 8 spoke with the rescue last year about the living conditions some dogs are found in.
"There's parts of it that look like a graveyard. There are bones and dead dogs in bags, starving to death," Julie Brow with The Animal Pad said last summer.
The organization has rescued hundreds of dogs from Mexico to get adopted in San Diego.
"When I tell you it's the most rewarding thing that so many of us have ever done it's absolutely true," Executive Director Laura Botticelli said. "To take these dogs from the conditions they come from, bring them into your house and show them love and affection for the first time is beyond."
Starting August first, bringing large quantities of dogs across the border may be more difficult. The CDC has specific requirements depending on where the dog has been and if or when they got a rabies vaccine.
Requirements for dogs crossing the U.S. Mexico border into San Diego:
- At least six months old
- Have an ISO-compatible microchip implanted
- Appear healthy at time of entry
- Fill out a CDC dog import form
- Have specific documentation of a rabies vaccine
- You can use the DogBot to see what rules apply to your dog and time of travel.
Customs and Border Protection said the new requirements are not expected to impact border wait times. They say processing should be quick as long as the documents are in order.
The CDC is doing this now to prevent the dog rabies virus from entering the United States. The dog-to-dog rabies virus was eliminated from the U.S. in 2007, but is still present in more than 100 countries. Dogs imported with rabies can infect both pets and people.
WATCH RELATED: This San Diego dog park was named best in America