The US Centre for Disease Control has eased the new entry requirements for dogs coming from Canada and other low-risk countries.
The requirements, coming into effect on August 1, included mandatory proof of a rabies vaccine, and that all dogs be microchipped and over six months of age.
Now the CDC says owners with dogs coming from rabies-free or low-risk countries, like Canada, will not need proof of vaccine but will need to fill out a dog import form and the dog must appear healthy.
The microchip and age requirements will still be in place.
Windsor-West MP Brian Masse is calling on the CDC to implement an 18-month delay for Canadians.
"Many Windsorites and cross-border communities rely on veterinarians on the opposite side of the border in emergency cases and this would stop all same-day travel with a pet,” said Masse. “We need to get to parity for Canadians and that’s what this resolution I helped draft calls for.”
The resolution was passed at the 78th Midwestern Legislative Conference Annual Meeting in Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday.