Strict rules about flying with dogs start Thursday, after months of confusion

What do the new rules say?

The CDC announced in May that beginning Aug. 1, dog owners must complete a new form and all dogs entering the U.S. must be over six months old, have a microchip and “appear healthy upon arrival.”

Additional restrictions and requirements apply depending on where the dog was vaccinated and if the dog has recently been in one of the more than 100 countries identified as high risk for rabies. A dog might have to pass a blood test or be forced to quarantine for 28 days in a CDC-registered facility, the costs of which fall back on owners, according to the CDC’s website. It can also be difficult to provide proof of a dog's whereabouts, especially one that was a stray.