Traveling Internationally With Your Dog? Here’s How to Prepare for Arrival at LAX

If your dog is arriving in the U.S. from a country the CDC considers high-risk for rabies, there’s a good chance a 28-day quarantine will be required. This isn’t something you can choose to skip or work around—if your paperwork isn’t perfect or if the CDC mandates it based on where your dog is coming from, quarantine becomes part of the entry process. Since Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of the few approved ports of entry for these situations, and Rue’s Kennels is one of the only CDC-approved animal care facilities near the airport, I want to help you understand exactly what happens and how we take care of dogs while they’re here.  The CDC’s job is to prevent rabies from entering the country. If your dog is coming from a high-risk country and doesn’t meet every CDC requirement—like being under six months old, missing a microchip, or having an expired or unverified rabies vaccine—they’ll need to go through quarantine. That’s where I come in. When a dog arrives at LAX and we’ve been contacted to receive them, we start by meeting them at the airport and handling all the customs and clearance work. You don’t need to be there for this part. We handle everything from picking your dog up to getting them safely into our facility. Once they’re checked in at Rue’s Kennels, we verify their microchip and paperwork and then start the quarantine timeline. If they need to be revaccinated for rabies by our USDA-accredited veterinarian, that becomes day one of the 28-day clock. While your dog is here, we provide daily care, monitoring, and updates. This isn’t just a holding area—we give them a clean, climate-controlled suite to rest in, and our team is here all day and overnight. We make sure they’re fed on a regular schedule, have clean water, get time outside, and are checked multiple times a day for any signs of illness or stress. If anything seems off, our vet is alerted immediately. We log everything and follow CDC reporting guidelines. One thing to know: during quarantine, no visits are allowed. I understand how hard that is. People care deeply about their pets, and being separated for nearly a month can be stressful. But we make sure you’re kept in the loop. We send you updates, let you know how they’re doing, and make sure the transition at the end of the quarantine is smooth. It’s also important to point out that we don’t decide whether or not your dog needs to be quarantined—the CDC does. Our role is to provide the space, care, and oversight required by federal guidelines. We make sure your dog is safe, comfortable, and treated with compassion while they meet the CDC’s timeline and requirements. It’s a responsibility we take seriously. Some of the most common reasons dogs end up in quarantine are: They’re under six months old Their rabies vaccination was administered too recently to be valid The vaccine can’t be verified The dog wasn’t microchipped before vaccination Required documents are incomplete or inaccurate If you’re importing a dog and you think quarantine might be necessary, it’s best to reach out before the flight lands. That way, we can prepare the suite, confirm availability, and make sure we’re ready to receive your dog directly from the airport. We’ve worked with rescue organizations, private owners, and groups bringing in dogs from all over the world, so we’re used to the paperwork and process. Our location is just minutes from LAX, and we built this facility with this exact situation in mind. From day one, Rue’s Kennels was designed to support international dog intake and meet the CDC’s exact standards. Every suite is cleaned regularly, and dogs are separated from one another to prevent contact during quarantine. Our team is trained on animal care, CDC protocols, and stress management techniques, especially for international arrivals who might be overwhelmed from travel. I also want to make it clear that we don’t operate like a traditional boarding facility during quarantine. While we do offer daycare and boarding services, the CDC quarantine process is its own regulated system. We can’t take shortcuts, and we don’t rush the process. Once the 28 days are up and our vet confirms your dog is healthy and showing no signs of illness, we’ll arrange a time for you to pick them up or coordinate transport to their next destination. This is never an easy process for dog owners, but we’re here to make it as smooth and stress-free as possible. The key is preparation. Make sure you understand CDC requirements ahead of time. Know what country your dog is coming from, confirm their vaccine paperwork, and don’t wait until the last minute. If quarantine is likely, reach out to us early so we can be ready. I’ve seen what happens when travelers try to skip steps or assume everything will be fine. Dogs get denied entry. Flights are missed. In worst-case scenarios, dogs are returned to their country of origin at the owner’s expense. It’s not worth the risk. Working with a CDC-registered facility like ours ensures your dog has a place to go if quarantine is necessary and that they’ll be properly cared for throughout the process. If you’re not sure whether your dog needs quarantine or not, I’d recommend reviewing the CDC’s website and contacting us with your paperwork. We can take a look and help guide you on next steps. We can’t override CDC decisions, but we can help you avoid mistakes and prepare correctly. Our goal here at Rue’s Kennels is to take care of your dog with the same attention and respect we’d want for our own pets. If quarantine becomes part of your importation process, we’ll be here to walk you through it and make sure your dog is safe until they can come home. Let me know if you have questions—we’ve handled hundreds of these cases, and we’re happy to help however we can.

Importing a dog into the United States isn’t as simple as booking a flight and showing up at the airport. There are strict rules in place, especially for dogs coming from countries considered high-risk for rabies. These rules are enforced by multiple agencies, including the CDC, USDA, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. If you’re flying into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), one of the busiest international travel hubs in the country, it’s important to understand the process to avoid delays, rejections, or costly mistakes.  This article outlines what dog owners, rescue groups, and international travelers need to understand about importing dogs through LAX and the role CDC-approved facilities like Rue’s Kennels play in the process. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) oversees animal import regulations to protect public health. Countries are classified into three categories: rabies-free, low-risk, and high-risk. If you’re importing a dog from a high-risk country, additional steps are required to enter the U.S. These steps are in place to help prevent the reintroduction of rabies, which is fatal and not currently present in the dog population in the U.S. Some common high-risk countries include China, India, Egypt, Pakistan, Russia, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti. This list is updated by the CDC based on public health data, so it’s important to confirm your country’s status before making travel plans. If your dog is arriving from one of these countries, be prepared to show full compliance with all CDC import requirements. Required documentation typically includes a valid rabies vaccination certificate, a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian, proof of age, and a record of microchipping. In some cases, a CDC Dog Import Permit is also needed. The rabies certificate must show the date of vaccination, the date the vaccine becomes effective, and the microchip number. The dog must be at least 6 months old and vaccinated more than 30 days before entering the U.S. Incomplete paperwork is one of the most common reasons dogs are held upon arrival. The CDC has strict rules about which airports dogs can enter through. LAX is one of the few approved ports of entry for dogs coming from high-risk rabies countries. However, dogs must arrive through a CDC-registered facility. Rue’s Kennels at LAX is one of those rare facilities authorized to receive, board, and care for imported dogs under CDC oversight. They are bonded through U.S. Customs and Border Protection and maintain USDA handler registration with a licensed USDA veterinarian on staff. These credentials are not optional. They’re required for any facility managing the quarantine and care of international dogs under CDC authority. When your dog arrives at LAX and is being handled by Rue’s Kennels, a structured process begins. First, Rue’s coordinates pickup from the airport and handles customs clearance. This involves verifying paperwork and coordinating with airport officials. Once the dog is transferred to the facility, their health records are reviewed by the on-site veterinarian. If needed, the rabies vaccine may be re-administered to meet U.S. requirements. If the dog does not meet all immediate entry criteria, a mandatory 28-day quarantine is triggered. This allows time for the new vaccine to take effect and ensures that the dog shows no signs of illness during the incubation window for rabies. During the quarantine, Rue’s provides care including feeding, playtime, cleaning, and health monitoring. Once the quarantine is complete and the CDC has cleared the documentation, Rue’s releases the dog to the owner or designated representative. The facility remains in communication throughout the process, giving pet owners regular updates and helping ensure compliance with all government requirements. Importing a dog without understanding these steps can result in significant stress for both the owner and the animal. Common issues include incomplete or incorrect paperwork, arrival at the wrong port of entry, arrival through a non-registered kennel, or attempting to import a dog that is too young. Even dogs that appear healthy can be denied entry if the documentation is missing or inaccurate. This is why working with a CDC-registered facility is a key part of the importation process. If you’re preparing to import a dog through LAX, there are some steps you can take to stay ahead. First, check the CDC’s current list of high-risk countries and make sure your dog’s country of origin qualifies. Then, confirm your dog’s rabies vaccine meets all U.S. requirements. Work with a veterinarian familiar with international travel, and ensure the dog is microchipped and at least 6 months old. Contact Rue’s Kennels ahead of time to confirm their intake process and availability. You’ll also want to prepare for quarantine in advance by budgeting time and cost. Travel insurance that covers pet care or delays may also be helpful. Rue’s Kennels was founded with international pet travel in mind. The founders, who are involved in rescue efforts through China Rescue Dogs, opened the facility in June 2023 to help meet the growing demand for proper animal care and quarantine support near LAX. Since then, Rue’s has served a mix of rescue dogs and personal pets coming into the U.S. from around the world. Their location just minutes from the airport and their nonprofit mission make them a unique resource for those navigating the complex process of international dog transport. Importing a dog through LAX is manageable, but it requires advanced planning. With the right paperwork, a CDC-approved facility, and a clear understanding of CDC rules, you can help ensure your dog enters the country safely and legally. Rue’s Kennels plays an important part in that system by serving as the bridge between your pet’s arrival and final release. This overview is meant to give you a clear understanding of the steps involved in dog importation through LAX and why facilities like Rue’s are essential. Always consult with official CDC resources and contact the kennel directly if you have specific questions about timing, availability, or eligibility.