Can-Am sled dog race officials say new CDC rules threaten future events

FORT KENT, Maine – Can-Am sled dog race organizers say new CDC regulations for bringing dogs across the border could threaten the future of the international event.

The Can-Am attracts thousands of guests and brings in racers from Canada and beyond. This year’s event, which was canceled due to unseasonably warm weather , had a total of 64 mushers signed up – many of which were traveling hundreds of miles to Fort Kent.

The new rules will go into effect on August 1. The regulations require dogs to be at least six months old and appear healthy. They also need to have International Standards Organization (ISO) compatible microchips, a new rabies vaccination, and a certificate indicating that the dog is coming from an either rabies-free or low-risk country.

Any dogs denied entry will be sent back to the country they came from at the owner’s expense , according to the CDC website.

The CDC states that the new rules will help eliminate rabies, which according to the World Health Organization is 100 percent fatal once the virus affects the central nervous system and clinical symptoms appear.

Can-Am officials say these rules could have a devastating effect on the international event.

“These new rules are creating significant financial and logistical burdens for mushers who cross the US-Canada border to participate in these races,” a July 10 press release from the Can-Am said.

U.S. Senator Susan Collins sent a letter on Wednesday to CDC Director Mandy K. Cohen asking if the CDC could postpone enforcing these rules and work on revisions addressing the concerns of dog owners who run a low risk of importing rabies. In her letter, Collins specifically cites the negative impact this will have on the Can-Am races in Maine.

“Given that the Can-Am race requires all participating dogs to be vaccinated against rabies, in addition to employing veterinarians on-site throughout the event, I am concerned the additional certification requirements of this rule impose an unnecessary burden on sled dog teams,” Collins wrote.

Sarah Brooks, Can-Am International Sled Dog Planning Committee Vice President, said in the release that work is being done by groups in both the United States and Canada to have the CDC reconsider these new rules.

“I fear for the future of dog events, breeding, economic repercussions and everyday travel cross-border with dogs,” Brooks said. “We need to work together to make changes.”

And while sled dog teams have always needed to show a valid rabies certificate to cross, race officials say these new requirements will lead to higher costs and potentially unnecessary medical procedures for their dogs.

For larger teams, this could mean spending thousands in additional costs.

“Kat and Remy are a Canadian musher couple who come to the Can-Am each year,” Brooks said. “WIth 28 dogs, it could cost them more than $4,200 on top of all the other expenses. The added expenses could cripple the teams who need to cross the border, not to mention the fact that there is a shortage of veterinarians on both sides of the border who need to do all of the paperwork, microchipping and rabies vaccinations to be in compliance.”

Race officials say regulations on bringing in dogs younger than six months old could also affect breeding. Dr. Nick Pesut, Can-Am veterinary coordinator, said that selective breeding helps mushers develop dogs that are best suited to sled dog racing.

“The proposed restriction on importing dogs younger than six months of age will have a negative impact on breeding programs,” Pesut said.

A petition on change.org to revise these requirements has currently gathered over 1,500 signatures . The petition asks for three major changes: that “import” does not include North American dogs crossing over land for short-term events, and that they can enter with a valid rabies certificate; to postpone the requirement that would invalidate vaccines given before microchipping until 2026 and to allow dogs under six months old into low-risk countries if they received a rabies vaccine within the last 21 days.

The Can-Am’s press release also advocates for these changes.

“These modifications will help maintain the cultural heritage and economic vitality that sled dog racing brings to many communities while ensuring the health and well-being of the dogs involved,” the release concluded.

Both Brooks and Can-Am Media Advisor Andrew Birden said they were disappointed at the lack of communication between border towns and the CDC about these new regulations, and that there should have been more notice given concerning public input sessions regarding the policy.

“I’m sorry, but here at the Can-Am, who in the world would have thought to look to the Center for Disease Control’s proposed regulations for something for the Can-Am?” Brooks said.

Brooks said she is currently in contact with officials at Senator Collins’ office, and has asked them to give her contact information for the CDC so she can communicate these concerns through the proper channels.

Overall, the news has been frustrating for Can-Am organizers, who just in the past few years have dealt with cancellations due to both COVID-19 and warmer weather.

“There have been some one-two punches, but the folks here are highly motivated,” he said. “They love the sport. They love the race. And we love the way the community comes together to make it happen. My sense is that we will get through this.”