CDC Quarantine Process at DFW Pet Lounge

Bringing a dog into the United States from a CDC-designated high-risk rabies country requires compliance with strict federal regulations enforced by the CDC and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). As a registered ACF, DFW Pet Lounge & Quarantine is authorised to receive, house, and manage the quarantine process for these dogs — from arrival through to compliant release.

The six-step process below covers exactly what happens, in order, so you know what to expect at every stage. Not sure which import track applies to your dog? Review the import service tracks before you arrange travel.

1 Pre-Travel Guidance

Before your dog travels, all CDC-required documentation must be prepared and submitted in advance. Dogs arriving from CDC-designated high-risk rabies countries are subject to federal import rules enforced at the port of entry — incomplete or incorrect paperwork can result in your dog being denied entry or placed on an extended hold at significant cost.

Required documentation typically includes:

• Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination & Microchip Form (CFRVM) — completed by a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin
• Rabies serology (titer) test from a CDC-approved laboratory, demonstrating a result of ≥0.5 IU/mL
• Complete veterinary health history including vaccination records
• Clear, recent photographs of your dog — full body, face, and teeth — taken within 10 days of travel
• USDA-endorsed health certificate where applicable, depending on country of origin and import track

Our team reviews your documentation in advance and guides you through any gaps or corrections before travel is booked — reducing the risk of delays, denial of entry, or unexpected extended quarantine at DFW. Check which import track applies to your dog before you begin this process.

2 Arrival Support

When your dog arrives at Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport, CDC and USDA officials at the port of entry verify all submitted documentation. This is the critical compliance checkpoint — every document must be present, current, and correctly formatted. Our team coordinates directly with airline cargo staff and CBP officials to facilitate a smooth handover from the aircraft to our facility.

Once documentation is approved and your dog is cleared for entry into ACF care, our staff collect your dog from the cargo facility using our private, climate-controlled transport vehicles and complete the formal intake process at our registered ACF — located minutes from DFW Airport at 6148 Precinct Line Road, Hurst, TX 76054.

If any documentation issue is identified at the port of entry, our team is on-hand to assist with the CBP and CDC process and advise on next steps — you will not be navigating this alone.

3 Quarantine Care

The quarantine period begins on the date your dog receives a U.S.-administered rabies vaccination at our ACF. For dogs on the Standard Import Track, this is a minimum 28-day period during which your dog must remain at our registered facility under continuous supervision as required by federal CDC regulations.

Throughout the quarantine period, our care team provides:

• Daily health monitoring — morning and evening checks by trained animal care staff
• Climate-controlled private accommodation — individual rooms designed for comfort and low stress
• Regular feeding and fresh water — following your instructions for your dog's routine diet
• Structured exercise and outdoor relief breaks in our secure outdoor area
• Fear Free handling throughout — all staff are trained in low-stress, fear-free animal care protocols
• Continuous compliance record-keeping to satisfy CDC documentation requirements at release

The quarantine environment meets all CDC standards for an approved ACF and is regularly audited. Your dog is never in a general kennel population during this period — they are housed in dedicated quarantine accommodation.

4 Daily Updates

We understand that handing your dog into a quarantine facility — often from overseas, sometimes for nearly a month — is stressful. Staying connected matters. From day one of quarantine, pet owners receive regular updates so you always know how your dog is doing.

• Photo and video updates — visual confirmation of your dog's condition, comfort, and daily activity
• Health and behaviour status reports — any changes noted by our care team are communicated promptly
• Milestone notifications — confirmation when key stages in the quarantine process are completed
• Direct communication with our team — you can contact us by phone or email throughout your dog's stay

Call us any time at (817) 393-3315 — our team is available 24 hours a day if you have questions or concerns during the quarantine period.

5 Veterinary Oversight

All dogs in quarantine at our ACF are under the care of affiliated USDA-accredited veterinarians throughout their stay. Veterinary oversight is not optional — it is a CDC compliance requirement for registered ACFs, and one we take seriously.

• U.S. rabies vaccination on arrival — administered by our USDA-accredited veterinary partner at intake for dogs on the Standard Import Track
• Routine health examinations at key intervals during the quarantine period
• Immediate medical response — any health concern identified by our care team triggers prompt veterinary assessment
• Emergency veterinary care available on-call should it be needed outside regular hours
• Full veterinary documentation maintained throughout and provided at release for your records

Veterinary compliance records are kept on file as required by the CDC and are available to regulatory authorities for inspection. This is the same standard applied to all federally registered animal care facilities in the United States.

6 Safe Release

Once the required quarantine period is complete and all CDC compliance conditions have been met, your dog is formally cleared for release. This involves final documentation sign-off by our veterinary partner and confirmation from the relevant regulatory authorities.

Release is coordinated directly with you or your designated representative. You collect your dog from our facility at 6148 Precinct Line Road, Hurst, TX — or we can arrange delivery via our private transport service if you are unable to collect in person.

At release, you receive a complete documentation package covering your dog's quarantine record, vaccination certification, and veterinary sign-off — everything you need to confirm your dog is fully compliant with U.S. CDC import requirements and legally cleared to travel onward or settle in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the CDC quarantine process for dogs arriving at DFW.