Canadian Border Crossing with Pets

[Pascao]

We will be in the northwest this summer and would like to cross the border from multiple states into Canada. What are the papers/documents required and any issues you may have experienced with a dog?

[NewellCrazy]

Your dog will need a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian. The certificate is usually only good for 10 days. This means if you will be north for a longer period you will need to get a new one to return.

[zcasa]

We took our newell into Canada in 2008. At that time, they asked a few questions:

1. Firearms on Board
2. How much alcohol
3. Fruits
4. Criminal History (arrests etc)

Then they asked us to leave the coach and sit on a bench just outside the building. They searched the interior of the coach, but not the basement storage. They confiscated all pitted fruit. They were ok with 7 bottles of wine. We had no firearms. No previous arrests. They welcomed us to Canada.

[folivier]

We took our newell into Canada in 2008. At that time, they asked a few questions:

1. Firearms on Board
2. How much alcohol
3. Fruits
4. Criminal History (arrests etc)

Then they asked us to leave the coach and sit on a bench just outside the building. They searched the interior of the coach, but not the basement storage. They confiscated all pitted fruit. They were ok with 7 bottles of wine. We had no firearms. No previous arrests. They welcomed us to Canada.

And they still let you in? :)

[MrE]

Your dog doesn't need one, but all humans on board will need valid passports.

[Jonesy]

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/imp/petani/canin4e.shtml), the only requirement is that the dog be accompanied by a rabies vaccination certificate. The certificate must contain specific information outlined at the above link.

The only time a "health certificate" is required is for a dog is if the dog is less than 8 months of age AND is not accompanied by its owner (see the FAQs section of the above website). In addition, if you and your dog are flying, then the *airlines* may have additional requirements, including a heath certificate.

Import requirements Dogs may enter Canada if they are accompanied by:


a rabies vaccination certificate.


The rabies vaccination certificate must:


be written in English or French;
be issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian;
identify the animal (as in breed, colour, and weight);
state that the animal is vaccinated against rabies;
indicate the date of vaccination;
indicate the trade name and the serial number of the licensed vaccine; and
specify the duration of immunity (otherwise, it will be considered valid for one year from the date of vaccination).

Additional Information Canada does not require a waiting period between the time the animal is vaccinated for rabies and the time the animal is imported into Canada.
If the dog does not meet the import requirements relating to rabies certification, owners will be required, at their own expense, to do the following:


have the animal vaccinated against rabies within a specified period of time; and
provide the vaccination record to a Canadian Food Inspection Agency office.