CDC Revises Rules For Bringing A Dog Into U.S.
In May 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced updated regulations for dogs being brought across the border into the United States. Beginning on August 1, 2024, all dogs that enter the U.S. must appear healthy upon arrival; be at least six months old; be microchipped; and be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form online submission receipt (the form was scheduled to be accessible on July 15).
Additional requirements are based on where the dog has been in the past six months and whether the dog was vaccinated in the United States. Dogs arriving from countries with a high risk of canine rabies must be protected against it.
According to CDC officials, the updates are intended to ensure that dogs arriving in the United States are healthy and do not pose a risk to communities.
CDC encourages travelers with dogs to access the new personalized online Q&A tool, “DogBot,” on the CDC website to determine what rules apply to their dogs based on their travel dates, where their dog is traveling from, and where it was vaccinated (if required). CDC also advises that travelers make plans to ensure that requirements for dog importations are met at the time their dogs will enter the U.S.
CDC rules apply to all dogs, including puppies, service animals, and dogs that left the United States and are returning.
For more information, visit cdc.gov/dogtravel. Refer to a fre-quently asked questions page here: https://bit.ly/3VaLnNb.
Venture RV Offers New Fifth-Wheel Bunkhouse Floor Plan
Venture RV’s new 354VBH SportTrek Touring fifth-wheel floor plan accommodates families with a three-bed bunkroom, an exterior kitchen, and a spacious living area in which to spread out.
Venture RV, a division of KZ Recreational Vehicles, announced the launch of the SportTrek 5 Touring Edition 354VBH bunkhouse fifth-wheel.
The 354VBH measures 39 feet 10 inches long and caters to families. The exterior kitchen comes complete with a TV, a Lodge griddle, a refrigerator, and a sink. Inside, the bunkroom makes a kids’ haven with a slide-out sofa and three bunk beds, and a half bath nearby.
The main living area features a pantry and a large hutch; an entertainment center and fireplace across from the seating area; and panoramic windows that allow in plenty of natural light. The master bedroom holds a king-size bed, a dresser with a second built-in fireplace, and four closets. The bedroom also includes Venture RV’s signature window seat.
In addition, the SportTrek Touring Edition incorporates the NXG Huck-bolted drop frame from BAL RV Products, which results in a compartment with 185 cubic feet of pass-through storage.
For more information visit www.venture-rv.com.
Thousands Join Forces During Lippert’s Volunteer Week
In April, Lippert employees took part in community-building projects and initiatives in the U.S. and abroad, reaffirming the company’s commitment to using “business as a force for good in the world.”
For the fifth year in a row, Lippert Components Inc., which supplies a broad array of products used in RV manufacturing and other industries, participated in National Volunteer Week, April 21-27, 2024.
Thousands of Lippert team members joined in initiatives at local and international levels. These included a “Rail Trail” cleanup in Gloversville, New York; park cleanup projects in Twin Falls, Idaho, and Eau Claire, Wisconsin; and volunteering at Rowans Hospice in Havant (United Kingdom).
In Elkhart, Indiana, efforts focused on the three-day Pack-Out at the Elkhart County Fairgrounds, where more than 1,200 Lippert team members boxed 144,000 essential food items and school supplies, which were distributed to the Food Bank of Northern Indiana and 10 area schools.
According to Michilah Grimes, director of corporate and community impact, Lippert’s team members have saved nonprofits over $27 million since 2017.
Dragonfly Energy Honors Earth Day
Dragonfly Energy planted 10 trees for every Battle Born battery sold.
Dragonfly Energy, maker of Battle Born Batteries, pledged to plant over 10,000 trees in collaboration with the National Forest Foundation (NFF), the official nonprofit partner of the USDA Forest Service, in recognition of Earth Day.
Dragonfly Energy held its annual sale in April, vowing to plant 10 trees for every battery sold during the weeklong event.
All trees will be planted on public lands, targeting areas where reforestation is needed most. The NFF collaborates with the USDA Forest Service to identify planting sites across the 193-million-acre National Forest System.
According to the NFF, U.S. forests are the most efficient natural systems for pulling carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, with the forests sequestering up to 15 percent of the country’s CO2 emissions annually. However, natural disturbances such as wildfires, insects, drought, and disease cause deforestation. Planting trees helps to restore these public lands and ensure the forests can continue to provide a habitat for wildlife and mitigate the effects of climate change.
The NFF has planted more than 33.5 million trees since the campaign began in 2018.
Storyteller Overland Acquires TAXA Outdoors
Storyteller Overland, manufacturer of Class B RV adventure vans and off-grid expedition vehicles, recently announced its acquisition of TAXA Outdoors. TAXA manufactures lightweight, versatile camping trailers and overlanding utility trailers. Officials note that this strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone for both companies and reinforces their shared commitment to providing a full range of solutions for a growing community of outdoor adventurers.
Inspired by its founders’ roots in NASA habitat design and space architecture, TAXA offers a range of versatile, lightweight towable RVs that are capable of traversing rugged terrain while also providing a comfortable base-camp experience. Company officials note that combining this with Storyteller Overland’s innovative approach to motorized adventure vehicle design and its dealer sales and service network will help new generations of adventure lovers to pursue their passions in the outdoors.
As part of this acquisition, Neil Grimmer will assume the role of CEO at TAXA. In 2007, Grimmer cofounded Plum Organics, maker of organic nutrition and baby food, which later sold to Campbell’s. He then launched and led a series of successful consumer lifestyle brands and in 2019 became the first global brand president for Harley-Davidson. Grimmer also will serve as the chief strategy officer of Storyteller Overland.
Claire Skinner Served Coachmen, RV Industry
Former Coachmen Industries executive Claire Skinner, who also served as chair of the RV Industry Association (RVIA), passed away on March 23, 2024, after a six-year battle with cancer.
Skinner was the daughter of Tom Corson, who in 1964 cofounded Coachmen Industries with his brothers, Keith and Claude, and his wife, Dottie. The Middlebury, Indiana, company was acquired in 2008 by Forest River and continues to manufacture Coachmen-brand RVs today.
During her 23-year career at Coachmen, Skinner served in a variety of roles, culminating with chairman and CEO from 1997 to 2006. She served on RVIA’s Executive Committee from 1997 to 2006, including as chair from 2003 to 2004, and was a member of several other RVIA committees. She was instrumental in securing the first RV-specific franchise law and the first lemon law specifically for motorhomes.