I am writing to protest the CDC's blanket decision to suspend the importation of dogs from 113 countries, due to alleged risk of rabies/falsified rabies vaccination records. While I understand the need for tighter restrictions, I believe including rescue dogs imported by reputable organizations is unnecessary, inhumane and most importantly unsupported by science.
There are many reputable nonprofit rescue organizations that responsibly import homeless, abandoned and abused dogs from these countries to the US -- where they are adopted into loving homes and given a second chance at life.
I would like to join you in your efforts to keep all animals, and people, in America healthy and safe. However, I ask for an exemption for legitimate rescue organizations who go above and beyond to follow all guidelines, conduct strict testing, secure USDA permits, and provide proper documentation, and are committed to only importing healthy dogs into the US.
Please ask the CDC to reconsider the ban's extremity and develop a tailored policy that would prevent unscrupulous actors from importing dogs with false paperwork while not hurting the thousands of deserving dogs that depend on honest rescuers and their forever families in the US.
