Dog Transport and Infectious Disease Risk: An International Perspective

International canine transport programs are gaining popularity, moving dogs from limited-resourced facilities to those with an increased capacity to provide better animal care and outcomes. For many animals, transport is a lifesaving measure, but is not without risk. The long-distance movement of dogs can facilitate disease spread, particularly when exporting agencies are located in rabies-endemic areas and lack staff trained in infectious disease control. This article explains current trends in international dog transport and potential risks and benefits for participating agencies, and provides recommendations to mitigate the risk of unintentional infectious disease introduction and transmission.