Bringing a dog through Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport — whether arriving from overseas, transiting between flights, or waiting for customs clearance — involves more than a comfortable kennel. At DFW Pet Lounge & Quarantine, we are Texas's first CDC-registered Animal Care Facility (ACF), purpose-built to provide compliant, professional holding for pets moving through DFW under federal import regulations and airline requirements.

What Is CDC Holding & Transit Care?

CDC holding and transit care is short-term, compliant holding for pets arriving at, departing from, or transiting through DFW Airport — provided within our federally registered CDC Animal Care Facility. It is not general boarding. Every aspect of our facility meets the federal standards required for an approved ACF, including U.S. Customs surety-bonded areas, USDA-accredited veterinary oversight, and climate-controlled private accommodation separate from general boarding.

Dogs arriving from CDC-designated high-risk rabies countries must have a confirmed reservation at a registered ACF before they travel. For these dogs, short-term holding at our facility is a legal requirement — not an optional convenience.

When CDC Holding or Transit Care Applies

Our short-term holding and transit care services cover the following situations:

  • Dogs arriving from high-risk countries requiring CDC import processing and documentation verification
  • Dogs qualifying for Customs Clearance with Handover — held for up to 6 hours after landing while clearance is processed
  • Dogs transiting through DFW between international flights needing a compliant holding period
  • Pets affected by flight delays, missed connections, or rescheduled departures — our on-call team responds quickly
  • Dogs staged at our facility ahead of a departure, with cargo check-in coordinated by our team

Review the three import service tracks to confirm which applies to your dog before making travel arrangements.

What Happens During a CDC Holding Stay

Once your dog arrives at DFW and is transferred into our care — either from the cargo facility or Terminal D — our team completes the following as part of every holding stay:

  • Microchip scan and documentation verification against import paperwork
  • Veterinary examination by our USDA-accredited veterinary partner
  • U.S. rabies revaccination where required by CDC regulations
  • Settlement into climate-controlled private holding accommodation
  • Feeding, fresh water, and supervised outdoor relief breaks
  • CDC compliance documentation and CBP customs clearance processing
  • Regular updates to you or your agent throughout the process

Length of stay depends on your dog's documentation, import track, and the required government processing time. Release cannot be guaranteed until all CDC and CBP conditions are satisfied.

Airport Collection & Transportation

Coordinating collection from DFW cargo facilities and terminals is a core part of our service — not an add-on. Our team manages the logistics between the airline, CBP, and our facility using private, climate-controlled vehicles operated by experienced animal handlers. STA-badged agents are available for secure airside access where required by the airline.

For Manifested Cargo arrivals, we collect from the applicable airline cargo facility once CBP processing is complete. For Excess Baggage or In-Cabin arrivals, our team meets you at DFW Terminal D and assists with the Post-Entry Air Waybill process — approximately 2–3 hours after landing.

Learn more about the full arrival process on our Airline & Import Services page.

What to Prepare Before Your Dog's Holding Stay

For regulated international arrivals, the most important items are your dog's required original documents. Our team will provide a specific document checklist as part of your reservation confirmation. Beyond documents, prepare the following:

  • Your dog's regular food (pre-portioned with feeding instructions) — or advise us and we'll use our standard diet
  • Any medications with clear veterinary dosage instructions — all medications must be disclosed and approved in advance
  • A comfort item from home if it helps your dog settle — blanket or familiar toy
  • All original import documents — not copies — as required for your specific import track

Review the full document checklist on our Reservation Requirements page.

Flight Delays & Time-Sensitive Disruptions

When flights are delayed, rescheduled, or disrupted, our on-call team responds quickly. We coordinate directly with the airline, cargo handlers, and CBP to manage the transfer and provide professional holding care until travel resumes. Contact us as soon as you become aware of any change to your dog's itinerary.

Call (817) 393-3315 or WhatsApp +1 (214) 846-4135 for time-sensitive situations.

"Providing pets with compliant, professional care during international travel transitions — not just a boarding kennel — is what sets a CDC-registered facility apart."

Before Your Dog's Stay — Quick Checklist

  • Reservation confirmed with DFW Pet Lounge & Quarantine before travel is booked
  • Import track confirmed based on documentation status and country of origin
  • All original documents reviewed by our team before departure
  • Food, medications, and feeding instructions prepared
  • Airport collection coordinated — cargo facility or Terminal D as applicable

Summary

CDC holding and transit care at DFW Pet Lounge & Quarantine is a federally compliant, professionally managed service for dogs entering the United States through Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport. Whether your dog needs a short customs clearance hold, a full 28-day quarantine, or transit staging before a departure — our CDC-registered facility provides the infrastructure, veterinary oversight, and experienced team to manage the process from landing through to compliant release.