The ARK at JFK is the only CDC-approved Animal Care Facility (ACF) for John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Port of Entry (POE) for dogs entering the United States from high-risk rabies countries or those who have been in any high-risk country during the previous 6 months. Please visit the CDC website for the most up-to-date information on their regulations. Visit CDC's Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) page HERE.
Click HERE for a current list of high-risk countries for Dog Rabies.
*All dogs must be at least 6-months old, have an ISO compliant microchip implanted, appear healthy on arrival, and have a CDC dog import submission form completed.
*Dogs with a valid and endorsed U.S. rabies vaccination may enter the USA from a high-risk rabies country without a reservation at one of the Animal Care Facilities. Please visit the CDC website for more specific information about this exemption.
*Foreign vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk rabies country within the previous 6 months must have a reservation with one of the CDC Animal Care Facilities. The requirements for reservations with The ARK for foreign vaccinated dogs traveling from high-risk rabies countries are outlined on this page.
View these tabs below to learn about the CDC Reservation requirements, process, and recommendations that will help keep your pet off the no fly list!
Entry with a valid Rabies Titer
A foreign vaccinated dog traveling from a high-risk rabies country with a valid rabies titer test can enter the U.S. through a CDC-approved ACF, be examined by a USDA-accredited veterinarian, receive a rabies booster vaccination, and be cleared for entry. As long as the dog is healthy and passes the veterinary examination, the 28-day quarantine is not required.
Requirements for a reservation for a dog who has a valid rabies titer test:
IMPORTANT: If your pet displays any sign of illness during the examination, the CDC may require additional testing, treatment, and quarantine at the importer’s expense.
Instructions for payment will be sent during the reservation process once your documents have been reviewed. PAYMENT IS DUE IN FULL TO RECEIVE RESERVATION CONFIRMATION.
Entry without a Rabies Titer
A foreign vaccinated dog traveling from a high-risk rabies country without a valid rabies titer test, is required to complete a 28-day quarantine on arrival at the designated CDC ACF.
Requirements for a 28-day quarantine reservation at ARK Pet Oasis:
IMPORTANT: If your pet displays any sign of illness at any time during quarantine, the CDC may require additional testing, treatment, transfer to a veterinary hospital, and/or prolonged quarantine at the importer’s expense.
Instructions for payment will be sent during the reservation process once your documents have been reviewed. PAYMENT IS DUE IN FULL TO RECEIVE RESERVATION CONFIRMATION.
Please have your veterinarian read through the instructions for completing this form to ensure compliance: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/hcp/dog-importation/instructions-completing-the-certification-of-foreign-rabies-vaccination-and-microchip-form.html.
Note: Brazil, China, and Peru have their own version of the CFRVM that must be completed and endorsed prior to departure. ARK will need a draft of that form or of the CFRVM to check for compliance before moving forward with the reservation process however, we understand that some countries will not issue the formal form or endorsement until closer to the travel date. It is important for you to send our team a copy of the final endorsed form before your pet travels so that we can upload it into the CDC system prior to arrival at JFK. Without this, your pet will not be cleared by CDC for entry.
Booking Your Dog’s Flight: Important CDC Reservation Information
We strongly recommend waiting to book your flight until an ARK team member confirms your dog’s CDC Reservation and approves your anticipated travel date. If you decide to book in advance, we suggest choosing a flexible ticket—refundable or one without change fees—to allow for any necessary adjustments.
Reservation Process: Your Patience is Appreciated
We kindly ask that you avoid submitting multiple forms, sending follow-up emails or calls regarding your reservation. We understand every situation is unique and many people are traveling due to an emergency, but repeated follow-ups can slow the process. Rest assured, our team is working diligently to handle the high volume of CDC reservation requests as efficiently as possible.
Timing Your Pet’s Arrival at JFK
Please plan your pet’s arrival carefully. The CDC processes clearances Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET, and is closed on federal holidays. The Accredited Veterinarian completes examinations Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM ET. If your dog arrives on a Friday evening and a holiday falls on the following Monday, the earliest release will be on Tuesday. For reference, here’s the full list of federal holidays: Federal Holidays(opm.gov)
Please be prepared to spend some time apart from your pet during this process until your pet is cleared by CDC and CBP.
All pricing is subject to change without notice. Below prices are general estimates and should be considered the starting price.
Reservation for 1 DOG with a valid Rabies Titer Test: $763.31
Included with a reservation for a dog who has a valid rabies titer test:
- Transport from Terminals/Cargo/Aircraft to ARK Pet Oasis
- Post-flight Care & Accommodation for 1-day
- USDA-Accredited Veterinary Exam
- Rabies Vaccination Booster
**Additional fees may apply for large crates, customs clearance, and airline import service fees.
Reservation without Rabies Titer = $3,961.81
Included with a reservation for a dog who does NOT have a valid Rabies Titer:
- Transport from Terminals/Cargo/Aircraft to ARK Pet Oasis
- Post-flight Care & Accommodation
- USDA-Accredited Veterinary Exam
- Rabies Vaccination Booster
- 28-day Quarantine
- USDA Veterinary Exam for release
**Additional fees may apply for large crates, customs clearance, and airline import service fees.
EXPEDITED SERVICES & CANCELLATION POLICY
While we cannot guarantee reservation availability, we understand that the nature of air travel is unpredictable and can change frequently. We will do everything we can to accommodate all new reservation requests and requested changes to existing reservations. As soon as you request a reservation, a significant amount of logistics coordination time and research goes into arranging your pet’s importation. For this reason, the below policies apply to urgent reservation requests and reservation cancellations. We cannot guarantee the availability of expedited services as we are currently experiencing a significantly high volume of requests.
- Reservations confirmed within 5 business days: $250
- Reservations confirmed within 48-hours of arrival: $500
- Dogs that arrive or are already on a flight to JFK without a reservation: $700
Please note that in the event your dog arrives without a reservation and there is no space available at The ARK, CDC may require your dog to be returned to origin at your expense.
**All CDC ACF Administrative Fees, above expedited fees, and fees for services that were already rendered are NON-REFUNDABLE.
Note: Our response time in between each step may be delayed because of the number of emails we are sorting through daily.
The ARK at JFK
78A N. Boundary Road, John F. Kennedy Int. Airport, Jamaica, New York 11430
Copyright © 2024 arkjfk.com - All Rights Reserved.
Email: info@ARKJFK.com
All dogs entering the US must be at least 6-months old, microchipped, and be healthy on arrival. These changes will affect all dogs entering the USA from overseas, including service animals. All foreign vaccinated dogs from high risk countries must enter through and have a reservation at one of the CDC Animal Care Facilities in the USA. CDC will no longer be issuing import permits. The ARK recommends starting the reservation process at least 30 days in advance, we may not be able to accommodate reservation with less than 2 week notice. An email/form does not constitute a reservation.