As of July 14, 2021, there has been a temporary suspension for dogs entering the United States from high-risk countries for dog rabies. However, a vast majority of veterinary professionals agree based on scientific data that Colombia is not at high-risk for dog rabies nor is there a rabies epidemic in the territory.

In the US, 95% of pet owners consider their pets to be part of the family. Separating dogs from their human family causes distress for both humans and animals. In fact, studies have shown that stress levels decrease when a person interacts with a trusted animal. This is especially true for emotional support animals, who have been proven to counteract the effects of extreme stress and anxiety.

The CDC should urgently review its travel policy towards Colombia based on the latest scientific data available and remove Colombia from the high-risk dog rabies list with immediate effect.