Thank you for signing our petition! Time is not our friend here. We have gotten no response from the CDC and the ban is set to go into effect in three weeks.
Please reach out to your elected representatives and the CDC, please express your concern about their decision to ban the importation of dogs from over 100 countries. We have included below some draft text you can use. Please remember that any conversations, whether written or oral, must be respectful and constructive. We need them to work with us.
To find your elected Senators and Representative, please go to: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members and enter your zip code to find their names and contact information.
For the CDC, please address your concerns to:
Rochelle Walensky: Phone: (404) 639 7000 Email: director@cdc.gov with a copy to CDCAnimalImports@cdc.gov
Ashley C. Altenburger: Phone: (404) 639 4585 Email: grx2@cdc.gov with a copy to CDCAnimalImports@cdc.gov
Dr. Emily Pieracci: Phone: (404) 718 4757 Email: ydi7@cdc.gov with a copy to CDCAnimalImports@cdc.gov
Suggested text or wording:
I am reaching out to express my concern about the CDC’s emergency rule to ban the importation of dogs from 113 high-risk rabies. While I understand and appreciate the CDC’s concern for public safety when it comes to rabies, there are more narrowly tailored ways to (1) achieve the CDC’s stated goal of protecting public safety, and (2) ensure the safety of the dogs who have been denied entry into the United States. There are responsible and legitimate 501(c)(3) rescues who have the same goals as the CDC and can work with the CDC to find solutions that will ensure that the dogs who come into the United States have appropriate documentation of their age and vaccination status BEFORE they board a flight to the United States.
Working collaboratively with those in the rescue industry would allow the CDC to achieve its stated goal of ensuring public safety without causing rescues all over the world to cease lifesaving rescue missions to save dogs all over the world.
Thank you for your time and consideration of my request for reconsideration.