The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has agreed to relax some of the new border regulations for dogs coming from Canada, following efforts by Canadian federal officials. However, Canadian health minister Mark Holland continues to push for a full exemption, arguing that Canada has no dog-maintained rabies virus.

As per The Canadian Press, Health Minister Mark Holland said, “We made good progress, I think it significantly improves the situation, but it’s not enough.” Holland says he is awaiting confirmation of a grace period for the first few months of the new rules, which would allow non-compliant travellers to receive a warning rather than being turned back at the border.

The new rules, set to take effect on Aug. 1, require dogs entering the U.S. from Canada to be at least six months old, vaccinated, and implanted with a universally readable microchip. Owners must complete a CDC form and have a veterinarian sign an export document.

While the CDC had initially mandated authorization form a veterinarian with the Canada Food Inspection Agency, it has agreed to relax requirement. As Holland said, the stipulation “was going to be a massive problem for us administratively.”