Service Dogs

CDC TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF DOGS ENTERING THE U.S. FROM RABIES HIGH-RISK COUNTRIES

CDC TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF DOGS ENTERING THE U.S.

FROM RABIES HIGH-RISK COUNTRIES

 

Starting June 10, 2022, the temporary suspension for dogs entering the United States from high-risk countries for dog rabies will be extended until January 2023. This includes dogs arriving from countries without high risk of rabies if the dogs have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months.

 

The Philippines is included in the list of high-risk for rabies. These rules apply to all dogs, including puppies, and service dogs.

UPDATE: Changes have been made to CDC’s requirements for dogs arriving in the United States that have been in high-risk countries for dog rabies in the past 6 months effective June 10, 2022:

  1. Dogs vaccinated against rabies in the United States by a US-licensed veterinarian may re-enter the United States from a high-risk country without a CDC Dog Import Permit if the dog:

Expired US-issued rabies vaccination certificates will not be accepted. If the US-issued rabies vaccination certificate has expired, the dog must get a booster dose outside the United States and meet requirements for foreign-vaccinated dogs (see below).

  1. For foreign-vaccinated dogs coming from high-risk countries must apply online for a CDC Dog Import Permit. It is recommended to apply at least 6 weeks before intended travel. Before beginning the process, your dog must:
    • Be at least 6 months old
    • Have a microchip
    • Have a valid foreign rabies vaccination certificate
    • Have a valid rabies serologic titer from an approved laboratory

 There are additional options for bringing in 1-2 dogs or 3 or more dogs. Three or more dogs coming from high-risk countries can now arrive at specific ports of entry with a prior reservation at a CDC-approved animal care facility. All dogs must have a valid rabies vaccination certificate and adequate rabies serologic titer or complete a 28-day quarantine at the US animal care facility. This option is also available to shipments of 1-2 dogs arriving without a CDC Dog Import Permit.

All dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months may only enter arrive at one of the 18 airports in the US with a CDC quarantine station:

Anchorage (ANC), Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Detroit (DTW), Honolulu (HNL), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Minneapolis (MSP), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Philadelphia (PHL), San Francisco (SFO), San Juan (SJU), Seattle (SEA), and Washington DC (IAD).

Dogs from high-risk countries may be imported only with CDC’s advance written approval (CDC Dog Import Permit), including dogs imported from a country NOT at high risk if the dogs have been in a high-risk country during the previous 6 months. Such approvals may be granted on a limited case-by-case basis at CDC’s discretion. If your request for advance approval to import a dog is denied, CDC’s written denial will constitute final agency action. No appeals will be allowed.

To request advance written approval, you must follow the instructions at How to Apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit at least 30 business days (6 weeks) before you intend to enter the United States. Requests cannot be made at the port of entry upon arrival into the United States.

Dogs that arrive from high-risk countries without a valid US-issued rabies vaccination certificate, a CDC Dog Import Permit, or a reservation at a CDC-approved animal care facility will be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at the importer’s expense. PAL and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will verify dogs’ country of departure. PAL will deny boarding and CBP will deny entry into the United States.

Learn more about how to apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit.

 

Learn more on Frequently Asked Questions on CDC Suspending Dogs from High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/faqs-about-high-risk-dog-ban.html
Service Animals Limited to Service Dogs

The US Air Carrier Access Act (US ACAA) limits Service Animals to dogs only. Philippine Airlines does not accept any other service animal except for dogs. PAL shall not accommodate miniature horses, cats, rabbits, birds, and other non-dog animals.       A Service Dog, regardless of breed or type, is a service animal that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks (task-trained) for the benefit of a qualified individual with disability

The US Air Carrier Access Act (US ACAA) limits Service Animals to dogs only. Philippine Airlines does not accept any other service animal except for dogs. PAL shall not accommodate miniature horses, cats, rabbits, birds, and other non-dog animals.  

A Service Dog, regardless of breed or type, is a service animal that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks (task-trained) for the benefit of a qualified individual with disabilit

Service Dogs
Only Service Dogs accompanying an individual with disability are accepted onboard our flights:

         a) to and from the United States;

         b) to and from other International flights; and

         c) in Domestic flights


NOTE: However, Psychiatric Service Dogs are not allowed in all Non-US International Flights and Domestic Flights.

Emotional Support Dogs
The US ACAA has re-classified Emotional Support Animals/Dogs and other comfort animals as pets and not Service Animals as they are not considered task-trained. Emotional Support Animals/Dogs are not accepted onboard the cabin in all flights. However, they may be transported in PAL’s cargo hold similarly as with other pets/animals, subject to PAL’s established cargo policies.
Service Dog Training and Behavior
A service dog that has not fully completed its training as a service dog is not considered a service dog and will be denied boarding. Service dogs must be trained to behave in a public setting. If an animal behaves poorly and poses a direct threat to the health and safety of other passengers, it may be denied boarding. All service dogs are required to be harnessed, leashed or tethered at all times at the airport and onboard the cabin.
Allowed number of Service Dogs
For flights to the United States, a passenger with disability is allowed a maximum of two (2) service dogs onboard free of charge. For other International flights and Domestic flights, a passenger with disability is allowed only one (1) service dog onboard free of charge.
Cabin Space for Service Dogs
Service dogs must either fit on the qualified passenger with disability’s lap (unless this violates US Federal Aviation Administration and other foreign carrier’s governmental requirements) or foot space. Should the service dog be too large, or encroach into another passenger’s space, the passenger with disability may be required to move into another available seat location in the same class of service. Should there be no other available seat location in the same class of service, PAL can arrange to transport the service animal in the cargo hold or in an available space on a later flight.
Documentation requirements for Service Dogs

Passengers traveling with a service dog must complete the following forms for the service dog/s to be accepted onboard a flight.


For flights to/from the United States, passengers must complete the:

1. US DOT Service Animal Health Behavior Training Form and the

2. US DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form

3. Approved CDC Dog Import Permit

  • Dogs over 6 months of age with valid US-issued rabies vaccination certificate and proof of microchip are exempt from the suspension—they can enter the United States without a permit. Dogs vaccinated outside the United States must have a CDC Dog Import Permit to enter the United States.
  • If you wish to import a dog from a high-risk country, you must request advance written approval (CDC Dog Import Permit) from CDC by emailing CDCanimalimports@cdc.gov at least 30 business days (6 weeks) before you intend to enter the United States.
  • No CDC Dog Import Permits are issued upon arrival. Dogs that arrive from high-risk countries without advance written approval from CDC will be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at the importer’s expense.
  • Dogs without a permit will be denied entry to the United States and shall be returned to the country of departure at the owner’s expense.
  • Learn more about how to apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit.

For reservations made more than 48 hours in advance of the first originally scheduled departure time and the flight duration is 8 hours or more, the passenger must provide Philippine Airlines 48 hours advanced notice by contacting us through our Reservations Hotline  or through any of our PAL Ticket Offices.  You shall be provided with instructions on the submission of the required documents and forms.  

NOTE: You must accomplish the US DOT forms on or after the date you purchased your ticket, and submit the same not later than 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure. Forms accomplished prior to said dates shall not be accepted as valid.


If the reservation was made 48 hours or less in advance of the first originally scheduled departure time, passenger is no longer required to submit the forms in advance but will be required to submit the forms at the departure gate on the date of travel.


For other Non-US International flights and Domestic flights, passengers must complete the following forms:

1. Service Dog Air Transportation Form; and

2. Service Dog Relief Attestation Form (for flights with duration of 8 hours or more) 

 
Passengers must provide Philippine Airlines 48 hours advance notice by contacting us through our Reservations Hotline  or through any of our PAL Ticket Offices.  You shall be provided with instructions on the submission of the required documents and forms.  

 
You may download the forms by clicking on the highlighted links above. You may also get copies of the forms from our PAL Ticket Offices or have them emailed upon request through our PAL Reservations Hotline.  


NOTE: You must accomplish the forms on or after the date you purchased your ticket, and submit the same not later than 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure. Forms accomplished prior to said dates shall not be accepted as valid.

Web Check-In
Passengers traveling with a service dog, who check-in online and were unable to submit the required forms prior to the date of travel shall be made to submit the required forms at the check-in counter or departure gate.

 
NOTE: PAL reserves the right to charge passengers for damage caused by their service dogs, and to require additional documentation or deny the acceptance of service dogs onboard if required by safety requirements set by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or by the Philippine government and/or other applicable foreign governments.


Learn more about U.S. Department of Transportation Rules on Traveling by Air with Service Animals.