Western New York Congressman Tim Kennedy (D-NY-26) has co-sponsored the Homeward Bound Act, a bipartisan initiative introduced by Congresswoman Mary Peltola (D-AK), Congressman Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Senator Angus King (I-ME), and Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND). This legislation seeks to address concerns regarding the CDC’s recent pet travel regulations.
The Homeward Bound Act would grant military families, diplomatic families, and service dogs an 18-month waiver from the CDC rule requiring all dogs entering the U.S. to be at least six months old, ensuring they have been vaccinated against rabies and that the vaccinations have taken effect. Additionally, the bill aims to eliminate both the age requirement and the microchip mandate for dogs born after its enactment.
“The current CDC rules for pets have created unnecessary red tape, especially for people and families in our community who frequently cross the U.S.-Canadian border,” Kennedy stated. “I am proud to join the bipartisan Homeward Bound Act to ease the burden for military families and people with service dogs while keeping commerce moving and protecting public health.”
In May, following the CDC’s announcement of the new regulations, Kennedy expressed concerns in a letter, highlighting the potential negative impact on border communities, including those in Western New York.
In July, he joined a bipartisan coalition urging the CDC to pause the implementation of the new rule, which resulted in some modifications announced later that month. In August, Kennedy introduced the Border-Crossing and Re-Entry for K9s Act, aimed at permanently pausing the CDC’s Dog Importation Rule for pet owners and dogs traveling from low-risk countries.
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