Dear Members,
I thought this is of great importance to our SABT membership here in North America so I am passing it on to you. I received an email today regarding efforts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to prohibit or change the regulations with certain exceptions, on the importation of dogs into the continental United States. In cases where exceptions will be made, the minimum age allowed for importation of puppies being proposed is 6 months, past the critical time for puppy socialization.
The regulations can be read at:
http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2009-0053-0001
Comments made by the public are being accepted up until October 31st at:
http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=APHIS-2009-0053-0033
Although this regulation is said to target "resale" of puppies once imported, I have concerns that it will eventually go farther than currently being proposed.
Each and everyone should read the regulations and then make your comments either by phone, mail or the comment section. We need to stop this before it happens.
Regards,
Shirley