It may disappoint you to learn that someone has been importing rabid dogs from Iran to Canada (just two, but that’s two too many). Others may have been using Canada as a clearing house for dogs from disease-laden countries en route to the United States.

Well, the U.S. has clued in, and now, as of Aug. 1, responsible border-crossing pet-owning Canadians will be bound to additional travel restrictions: pups under six months can’t cross the border, and those over that age must be microchipped and must have had a rabies vaccine prior to said microchip. Additional forms will have to be filled out by one’s veterinarian before travelling, as well.