BUFFALO, N.Y. — A new bipartisan bill just proposed in Washington could make it easier for you to travel with your pets internationally.
It's called the Homeward Bound Act, and it is co-sponsored by Western New York U.S. Rep. Tim Kennedy. It would change the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rules that strengthened regulations for bringing dogs into the country.
The bill argues that red tape is a burden for people who live in border communities, such as Western New York.
If passed, the Homeward Bound Act would give military families, diplomatic families, and service dogs an 18-month waiver from the CDC rules.
Kennedy said he feared that CDC guidelines that went into effect on Aug. 1 would cause major backups at the border crossings, and cause dog owners to jump through burdensome hoops to travel with their pets.
CDC rules state that dogs must be at least 6 months old, have an ISO-compatible microchip, a U.S.-issued rabies vaccine administered by a USDA-certified vet, a CDC dog import form, and appear healthy upon arrival.
For more information on the changes, click here.