Healthy Dog Importation Act
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced
Summary
New federal rules for importing dogs to protect animal and public health. This bill would create a new set of health, identification, and transfer requirements for dogs entering the United States and set rules for enforcement, recordkeeping, and fees.
Show full summary
- Importers and carriers would need electronic veterinary certificates showing good health, required vaccinations, negative test results, and a permanent ID for each dog. Dogs intended for transfer would generally need to be at least 6 months old and have an import permit.
- People and groups acquiring imported dogs would face stricter entry conditions and paperwork. The bill defines “transfer” broadly to include sale, adoption, exchange, or donation and lists narrow exceptions for returning U.S. pets, U.S. military working dogs, research imports, certain veterinary treatment cases, and a limited Hawaii exception.
- Federal and state animal health officials and veterinarians would get centralized records. Importers and carriers must provide certificates for centralized tracking, State veterinarians can request copies within 3 days, annual aggregated reporting is required, and fees may be set to fund verification and permits.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Penalties and payer liability for importers
If enacted, the Secretary could use enforcement penalties against importers and import transporters who break the dog import rules. The Secretary could also make them pay for veterinary care, quarantine, removal, forfeiture, and return of dogs to their export point.
New health, ID, and permit rules
If enacted, dogs could not be brought to the U.S. unless the Secretary gets electronic proof they are healthy and vaccinated. Dogs meant for transfer would need to be at least 6 months old and have an import permit. Certificates must come from a licensed, accredited veterinarian and be endorsed by a competent authority. The bill would also define who counts as an importer, import transporter, and what counts as compensation or transfer.
Transition from old rules and repeal
If enacted, existing Animal Welfare Act import rules would keep applying from enactment until final USDA regulations are issued. The bill would also repeal the old Animal Welfare Act import provision as a conforming change once the new section is in place.
USDA rules, records, and fee authority
If enacted, the Agriculture Secretary would have 18 months to make rules for dog imports. Importers and carriers would upload veterinary certificates into a central database and State veterinarians could request records with three days' access. The Secretary could require post-arrival checks, deny entry for violations, and set fees to fund verification and permits.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
IA • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
MN • D
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]
KS • R
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Cindy Hyde-Smith
MS • R
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
ID • R
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
IA • R
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
KS • R
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Raphael Warnock
GA • D
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Angus King
ME • I
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Kirsten Gillibrand
NY • D
Sponsored 9/30/2025
Andy Kim
NJ • D
Sponsored 11/5/2025
Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]
GA • D
Sponsored 1/28/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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