AFSA NEWS 76 APRIL-MAY 2025 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Changes to Pet Travel Policies Here’s a small bright spot in the news: The rules around airline travel for Foreign Service pets have just been relaxed. According to 25 State 6820, as of Dec. 7, 2024, an amendment to the Fly America Act (FAA) has expanded travel options for pet owners under chief of mission (COM) authority. Previously, only State Department personnel could use foreign air carriers when U.S. carriers could not accommodate their pets. Under the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), all U.S. government personnel and their eligible family members under COM authority are now eligible for this exemption. This allows pets—specifically cats and dogs—to travel in-cabin, as accompanied baggage, or as checked cargo on foreign air carriers when no U.S. carrier is available. Travelers must cover any fare differences incurred by using foreign carriers, however, as these costs are not reimbursable under relocation allowances. Rules on Rabies The rules for dog importation and rabies vaccines are also undergoing a change. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established new, stricter dog importation regulations in August 2024, outlined in 25 State 10746, affecting pet owners bringing dogs into the United States. These rules differentiate between dogs coming from low/no-risk rabies countries and those from high-risk countries. While rules for low/no-risk countries remain unchanged, new requirements for high-risk countries will take effect on Sept. 15, 2025. At that point, U.S. government employees must fully adhere to public CDC importation requirements, which include veterinary inspections at CDC-approved animal care facilities (ACFs) upon arrival. The State Department has secured an extension of the current exceptional protocol until Sept. 14, 2025, easing some requirements for U.S. government employees bringing dogs from high-risk countries. For dogs entering from low/no-risk countries, the process remains straightforward, as these pets may enter through any U.S. port of entry without additional requirements beyond proof of valid rabies vaccination. For dogs coming from highrisk countries before Sept. 15, 2025, U.S. government employees can still use an exception protocol that simplifies documentation and waives the ACF inspection requirement. Approved arrival airports include 18 major U.S. hubs. After Sept. 15, 2025, employees must follow the same process as the general public, which requires advance reservations at CDC-approved ACFs and an inspection upon arrival. Unvaccinated dogs and those under six months of age remain ineligible for importation from high-risk countries. To help Foreign Service personnel navigate these changes, the Bureau of Administration’s Office of Travel Management and Policy (TMP) and the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) are conducting informational sessions throughout 2025. These include a “CDC Dog Importation Guidance Webinar,” held in March 2025, and an FSI virtual class, “Traveling with Pets,” on April 1. Recorded sessions and detailed guidance will be available on the TMP and FSI websites. Foreign Service personnel are encouraged to research CDC, airline, and destination country regulations well in advance of travel. TMP, FSI, and airline representatives can assist with pet travel logistics. TMP continues to engage with airlines and external partners to ensure U.S. government employees experience fewer travel disruptions when flying with pets. For more details, visit the CDC dog importation website or contact TMP at TransportationQuery@state. gov. n JOSH While rules for low/no-risk countries remain unchanged, new requirements for high-risk countries will take effect on Sept. 15, 2025.
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