Located just minutes from Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport in Hurst, TX, DFW Pet Lounge & Quarantine is the only CDC-registered Animal Care Facility in Texas — built specifically to receive, process, and care for dogs entering the United States under federal import regulations. In this guide we cover the full process: from CDC requirements and documentation to what happens when your dog arrives at DFW.

1. What Is a CDC Animal Care Facility?

A CDC Animal Care Facility (ACF) is a federally registered facility authorised by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to receive dogs arriving from CDC-designated high-risk rabies countries. ACFs are legally required for certain dog imports — they are not optional, and not all boarding facilities qualify.

At an ACF, a dog's documentation is verified, a USDA-accredited veterinarian performs a physical examination, a U.S. rabies revaccination is administered, and CDC and CBP compliance processing is completed before release is authorised.

2. Does My Dog Need a CDC Animal Care Facility?

Requirements depend on two things: where your dog has been in the past six months, and where your dog's rabies vaccination was administered.

Foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a CDC-designated high-risk country for dog rabies within the six months before U.S. entry require a confirmed reservation at a registered ACF before they travel. This applies regardless of the length of stay in that country — even a brief transit triggers the requirement.

Use the CDC Dog Importation Navigator to confirm the current requirements for your dog before making travel arrangements. Then contact our team — we'll review your documentation and confirm your import track before you book the flight.

3. The Three Import Service Tracks

DFW Pet Lounge & Quarantine operates three distinct service tracks based on your dog's documentation status and country of origin. Understanding which applies to your dog before you travel is critical.

4. Rabies Titer Testing — How to Avoid the 28-Day Quarantine

A rabies serology titer test measures the level of rabies antibodies in your dog's blood. A passing result (≥0.5 IU/mL) from a CDC-approved laboratory can qualify your dog for the Fast Import Track — meaning no 28-day quarantine is required.

5. What Happens When Your Dog Lands at DFW

The arrival process at DFW differs depending on how your dog travels — as manifested cargo, excess baggage, or in-cabin.

Once released into our care, your dog is transported to our facility at 6148 Precinct Line Road, Hurst, TX — where the veterinary examination, rabies revaccination, and CDC compliance processing are completed.

6. 28-Day Quarantine — What to Expect

The 28-day quarantine period is a federal CDC requirement for dogs arriving from high-risk countries without a qualifying titer. It begins on the date the U.S. rabies vaccination is administered at our facility — not the date of arrival at the airport.

Throughout the quarantine period, your dog receives:

• USDA-accredited veterinary oversight — examination on arrival, routine health checks throughout, and emergency veterinary care available
• Daily feeding & hydration — following your instructions for your dog's regular diet and routine
• Regular photo and video updates — so you can see your dog's condition and comfort throughout the stay
• Supervised outdoor relief breaks — in our secure nature-break area, with Fear Free handling throughout
• Full compliance documentation at release — vaccination certificate, quarantine record, and veterinary sign-off confirming CDC compliance

Read the full quarantine process: CDC Quarantine Process at DFW Pet Lounge & Quarantine

7. Why Pet Owners Choose DFW Pet Lounge & Quarantine

"Bella flew in from Manila ahead of us and needed care while we sorted customs paperwork. The team collected her from the cargo facility, handled everything, and kept us updated. She arrived at our new home healthy and calm."

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