Traveling to Canada with Dogs and Back to US

[silverlabs]

Just read a thread about this topic but am wondering if anyone has more current information as to what is required for taking dogs into Canada and back. We will be crossing into Alberta and back to the US from Vancouver.

I've read that food can be an issue along with vaccinations. One dog is on prescription food. Will they let you take it back and forth if it is sealed? We are happy to discard whatever is open but need to plan accordingly.
Thanks!

[MrUKToad]

Bringing Your Pet to Canada - Travel.gc.ca

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...abies-vaccines

That should see you right.

I haven't read the advice and I haven't tried to travel with a dog, but I have heard that vaccination documents must be up to date and available and that food must be in sealed containers - no Tupperware!

Good luck!

[Isuzusweet]

You best bet is to contact Canada Border Services (CBSA) directly. Give them all the relevent info as to breed and food and they will send you an e-mail with requirements for entry (if there are any). The CBSA usually just wants to know if the dogs are being transported over the border for profit. If there is a query from the CBSA agent about the dogs once you get to the border, you will have a paper record of contact with CBSA concerning the dogs and food. It will save you having a delay to your trip.

I don't forsee any problem for your dogs at all as our border men and women are very relaxed and understand that they are the very first Canadians that people see on their trips to our great land.

Cheers
Tony

[TG Twinkie]

Traveled to Vancouver last year. With our Border Collie.
Had current vaccination and supporting paper work.
Was not asked about food for the dog, only food for humans.
Had no problems crossing into and out of Canada.

[MYater]

Had to get my dogs ready for the border jump four years ago. I only need vaccinations up to date and a letter from the vet saying healthy.

Never got any questions about food or anything else taking the ferry over to Vancouver Island from Seattle.

[Smartstream]

We just crossed the border last week with our 140 lb. eight month old Great Dane.



We handed the guard our passports with the vaccination record and health certificate from the vet. He ask where we were going and for how long. Then ask if we had weapons and wished us a nice trip. Never even mentioned the dog.

[silverlabs]

Thanks! That is great to hear! Now I've got to figure out the health certificate...

[63air]

Been to Canada with our dog a number of times and had no problem. The regulations say you need a health certificate and proof of current rabies vaccination. We have never been asked for the health certificate or anything about dog food. Canadian customs has always been great. Some of US guys like to tour , our '63 when we return if things are not too busy at the border. Not really an inspection or hassle, but genuine interest. Old car guys probably get the same thing on occasion I'll bet.

[MYater]

Originally Posted by silverlabs

Thanks! That is great to hear! Now I've got to figure out the health certificate...

A trip to the vet and they will cut you one

[weirdstuff]

On line, it says to have the certificate signed. So, we make sure, to be on the safe side, that our vet signed and dated both of the rabies certificates. Prob be crossing the border in July or August.

[Landshark]

Your vet will have a standard form for the health certificate. Our vet says we are supposed to have a health cert for our Dobie even crossing state lines in the US, so we comply, but have never been asked/stopped/whatever for the cert.

However, in TX last year, we saw a pit bull in a dog park mix it with another dog whose owner leaped in to stop the fray, got scratched (not bitten) by the pit's tooth. Pit did not have up-to-date rabies vaccination so was put into quarantine for 6 weeks at owner's expense for food and board. So the health cert can save you some grief and $$ as proof of vaccinations. IMHO, it is worth it even traveling in the lower 48.

Vivian

[Landshark]

Originally Posted by weirdstuff

On line, it says to have the certificate signed. So, we make sure, to be on the safe side, that our vet signed and dated both of the rabies certificates. Prob be crossing the border in July or August.

Hi Weirdstuff! Are you taking your flute? Do you need a [mental] health certificate for being a flautist?

Vivian
Bassoonist, health cert in hand

[weirdstuff]

Originally Posted by Landshark

Hi Weirdstuff! Are you taking your flute? Do you need a [mental] health certificate for being a flautist?

Vivian
Bassoonist, health cert in hand

Hi Vivian! We just packed the last of our stuff this evening. And the flute is in there in a very handy location! So maybe I'll practice a little over the next few months. Then again, maybe I won't. One of my doggies doesn't like my flute playing. I don't need a {mental} health certificate, but the people around me, subject to my playing, probably will end up needing one!! LOL

[Carmilla]

It's not as harried as you would think. People only tend to share the horror stories. Crossed with 4 big dogs, and no problems. Just present your health certificates. Yes, we had more than the "permitted" amount of dog food with us, but we had a lot more dog to feed. We found that going into Canada was a lot more pleasant than coming back into the US. The only thing they will "get" you for, is those of us who feed raw, they are a little iffy on coolers full of frozen meat. We simply switched to a dehydrated, such as Honest Kitchen" for the month before the trio, and used that.

[paiceman]

We traveled to Nova Scotia last summer and took our Lab mix with us. We had health info and rabies certificate. Canadian border agents asked for rabies only and then gave her a dog treat, after asking first. What I find very interesting is our dog died while we were in Canada (long sad story with sudden illness and death within three hours, nothing to do with Canada); when we crossed back over into the states the US border agent asked about our dog, it was in the computer - we told her the story and through tears she waved us on. I would check about certain breeds into Canada, Ontario for instance has outlawed Pit Bulls - both ownership and transportation.

[Flying Gypsies]

I went to Canada's website: Bringing Your Pet to Canada - Travel.gc.ca and when you click on Dog, it brings you to the food inspection site and talks about importing dogs-- you punch in country of origin, age of animal, reason for bringing, and if accompanied by the owner, and submit--- it says you have to have detailed rabies vaccination info-- there is no mention of health certificate. Has anyone actually been ASKED for a health certificate?

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by Flying Gypsies

I went to Canada's website: Bringing Your Pet to Canada - Travel.gc.ca and when you click on Dog, it brings you to the food inspection site and talks about importing dogs-- you punch in country of origin, age of animal, reason for bringing, and if accompanied by the owner, and submit--- it says you have to have detailed rabies vaccination info-- there is no mention of health certificate. Has anyone actually been ASKED for a health certificate?

Nope, just rabies.

[silverlabs]

T minus a few days and counting. I thought everything was set up with the health certificate until I discovered this week that they are only good for 10 days. It is my understanding that you need it to get back into the US. The problem for us is we are leaving here on 7/9 and not coming back into the US until 8/4. Have any of you traveled in Canada longer than 10 days and, if so, what did you do about the health certificate? Thank you!

[Flying Gypsies]

Per CDC site CDC - Bringing an Animal into U.S.: Dogs - Animal Importation no health certificate is required- only proof of rabies. If dog appears sick, then you have to have the dog checked out by a vet at your expense before bringing to US. Please let me know how you fare, as we hope to be doing the same trip later this summer.

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by silverlabs

T minus a few days and counting. I thought everything was set up with the health certificate until I discovered this week that they are only good for 10 days. It is my understanding that you need it to get back into the US. The problem for us is we are leaving here on 7/9 and not coming back into the US until 8/4. Have any of you traveled in Canada longer than 10 days and, if so, what did you do about the health certificate? Thank you!

Don't worry about it. Enjoy your trip.