BIG NEWS: We’ve Filed a Motion in Our CDC Lawsuit
TL;DR:
Potcake Rescue is part of a class-action lawsuit challenging the CDC's ban on importing dogs under 6 months old into the U.S.
We've officially filed a Motion for Summary Judgment, asking the court to rule in our favor without a full trial.
The rule unfairly impacts rescues like ours, even when puppies are fully vaccinated and medically cleared.
We are now awaiting the court’s decision.
Learn more about the CDC’s rule here.
At Potcake Rescue, we’re always looking out for every pup’s best interest—and that’s why we’ve taken a bold step forward. We’re proud to share that we’ve filed a Motion for Summary Judgment in our class‑action lawsuit challenging the CDC’s rule that dogs younger than six months cannot enter the U.S. without facing lengthy delays or extra hurdles.
🧩 What Exactly is the Rule?
The current CDC regulation says that importing dogs under six months old is heavily restricted. This rule makes it hard for puppies—especially vulnerable rescues like Potcakes—to be flown from The Bahamas (or other countries without rabies) to their forever homes here. You can read their full guidance here:
https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/index.html
Why We’re Challenging It
Unnecessary delays — Puppies are time-sensitive: long wait times can reduce their adoption chances or put them at greater health risk.
Disproportionate impact — The rule applies broadly, not just to high‑risk areas, which unfairly penalizes rescues following strict vaccine and health protocols.
Not grounded in evidence — There’s no scientific basis showing that puppies six months old and younger pose a significantly higher rabies risk compared to older dogs when properly vaccinated and documented.
✅ What We’ve Done So Far
Gathered Documentation
We submitted evidence: vaccination records, veterinary inspections, and data from reputable rescue groups showing that these puppies are healthy and safe to travel.Filed a Summary Judgment Motion
Instead of dragging through a full trial, we asked the judge to rule in our favor directly—arguing the CDC’s rule is arbitrary and unlawful.Now We Wait
The motion has been officially submitted. We’re now awaiting the court’s response and remain hopeful that justice (and common sense) will prevail.
How You Can Help
Stay Informed — Keep following our updates; we’ll share any new developments right here on the blog.
Spread the Word — Share this post with fellow rescue lovers, supporters, and anyone who believes in science‑based policy.
Adopt or Foster — If you’d like to give one of these critical pups a temporary or permanent home, reach out! Your support makes a real difference.
We believe every puppy—especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds—deserves a swift, safe journey to a loving home. This lawsuit is about ensuring rescue groups like ours and the ones we support can do just that without unnecessary legal obstructions.
Stay tuned for the next update as we wait for the CDC’s response. Together, we’ll give more Potcakes the happy endings they deserve. 🐶❤️
Read more about the CDC’s dog importation rules here: CDC Importation Guidelines for Dogs.
Our Story – How Potcake Rescue Began
Shannon, Zoe, and Mat
My wife and I were on an island in the Caribbean Sea when we saw a familiar sight: stray dogs roaming in the heat. One in particular was laying motionless on a gravel road. We stopped to check on him and long story short, helped him recover and brought him to Missouri as a foster placement. With two cats at home, we weren’t sure how it would go—but he flourished, and he was named Sonny. A year later, we adopted Willie, another Potcake rescued from The Mud, a Haitian village on Great Abaco, Bahamas destroyed by Hurricane Dorian. Our experiences led us to work directly with Abaco Shelter and to support about 20 strategic partners—thus, Potcake Rescue was born.
Shooting the Potcake Rescue short film for Samsung first led us to Great Abaco Island, which became a turning point. We plan to eventually move our family to The Abacos and immerse ourselves in the island life, the people, and—of course—the dogs. Now based on the Space Coast of Florida, we continue our mission, inspired by Sonny and Willie’s transformation.FAQs About Rescue Dogs