What do we need as far as paper work to cross the border with a dog? This would be from US to Canada and back to US.Thanks,Bob and Pat

Valid rabies certificate. And no open bags of dog food.

We have his rabies vaccination, dog food hasn't been a problem for us the last couple of years, as long as it is in its original container.

donn0128 wrote:Valid rabies certificate. And no open bags of dog food.Not quite:A signed health certificate, which includes a -full shot record. The rabies shot -must- be over a month before.Pet food is, complex.---Crossing the Border (Canada, U.S.) with Your PetPosted on February 13th, 2011 in Community, Pet Health Issues | Comments OffHeading into the U.S. or returning to Canada with Fluffy or Fido? This article is aimed at providing pet owners with information on what pet-related issues might arise at the border crossing. This is meant as a guideline, and although you may not always be asked for all this information, you should be prepared in case you are asked.First, identification via a tattoo or microchip is not mandatory but is strongly advised just in case you become separated from your pet while away. A microchip and a visible tag are best.A Rabies vaccine is necessary for crossing the border. You will need proof in the form of a Certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian. The vaccine should have been given at least 30 days before crossing into the U.S. This Certificate needs to include a detailed description of the dog including color, breed, sex, age, microchip information (if present) and markings. The Certificate will also give details about the vaccine given. The Rabies vaccine Certificate will indicate if it is valid for one or three years.Special note: A puppy younger than 12 weeks-old will not be allowed to be vaccinated for Rabies so no Rabies vaccine Certificate will be needed.Travelling back into Canada has similar requirements. Dogs over 12 weeks will need proof that a Rabies vaccine has been administered (i.e. a Rabies vaccine Certificate) and a tag to identify the dog. The one difference from the U.S. requirements is that a Rabies vaccine does not need to be given within 30 days travel, the vaccine is valid the moment it is given…..no 30 day waiting period.A Health Certificate will be needed as well to bring your pet across the border; your veterinarian can supply this upon request. If travelling by airplane it is best to ask the airline what additional requirements will be need to be met before you travel.Pet FoodBringing pet foods across the border into the U.S. has its own set of regulations, due to concern over Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE, or mad cow disease). Pet foods of Canadian origin (fresh, frozen or chilled, cooked, canned or otherwise processed products) that contain beef, veal, bison, and cervid (e.g. deer, elk, moose, caribou etc.) are now permitted when crossing the border from Canada. However, products containing sheep, lamb, or goat will not be allowed entry. The traveller must provide proof of the origin of beef, pork, poultry, cervid meat, and pet food in order to bring them into the United States. Examples of proof of origin include the grocery store receipt where the product was purchased or the label on the product indicating the province in which it was packaged.Pet foods that do NOT have these ingredients can be taken across the U.S./Canada border as long as they are in their original packages and the ingredient list can be read clearly. Any pet food in non-labeled packages may be confiscated. These regulations apply to both canned and dry pet foods.When returning to Canada, you may bring your pet’s food (limit of 20 kg) into Canada, if the import meets all of the following requirements: The pet food or product must be of United States or Canadian origin and be commercially packaged (i.e. not re-packaged into plastic bags or other containers). The pet food or product must be in the possession of the traveller at the time of entry from the U.S. The pet that will eat the imported product must accompany the traveller at the time of entry. The imported product is fed only to the pet that accompanied the traveller into Canada.----US rules on petsUSDA rulesCanadian rulesmore

n7bsn wrote:donn0128 wrote:Valid rabies certificate. And no open bags of dog food.Not quite:A signed health certificate, which includes a -full shot record. The rabies shot -must- be over a month before.A signed health certificate is NOT required. Just a rabies certificate.We cross the border a lot and have never had a signed health certificate for the dogs or the cat. In all our years, only one agent has actually looked at the rabies paperwork but most ask about it.The requirements are different if you're permanently importing a pet when moving to the other country.

Quite a number of us have had our vets (and more than one of those) recommend a health certificate from your vet. It's simple time your annual check up with vet to mesh with your trip plans.& you can then ask about any special considerations they may know of for the area where you're going to.:C

Border crossing with a pet | Good Sam Community

Butch50
Explorer
Jun 22, 2013
We have crossed into Canada and back into US and then back into Canada and then again into US and have never been asked for a health cert. We have not even been asked to see her rabies record. We have not been asked about their food or anything and our dog has been standing up on the console when we have crossed so they know we have a dog. The only border guard that even asked if we had a current rabies was when we went into Skagway. He asked if we had one but he didn't want to see it just wanted to make sure we had it if asked by someone else. In fact he even reached in and petted the dog and then shook my hand and told us to have a good vacation. Really nice guy.

Now my shotgun is another story all together. Have not been hassled but asked other questions like "Do you own any handguns" and I stated "I do but they are locked in my gun safe at home and I was not carrying any with me.

Then they let me through.
dieharder
Explorer
Jun 21, 2013
Only ever needed the document showing the rabies is up to date. Of all the times we crossed with the dog, it was only asked for once, but was always ready to present in case we were asked.
wilber1
Explorer
Jun 21, 2013
We have had a recreational property in the US for 27 years and during the over thirty years we had labs we took them over the border over a hundred times. Never had a heath certificate, was never asked for one and was rarely asked for the rabies certificate by either country. Dog food into Canada was not an issue. Food going into the US was OK if in its original container marked "Made in, or product of USA".

Horses now, that's a different deal altogether.
retraite
Explorer
Jun 21, 2013
Chuck&Gail wrote:
We carry a health certificate signed by our vet. We hand it to border guard with our passports. Just makes life simplier.

Sometimes he scores a cookie!

Ah, is that the border guard or your furry friend that "scores".

Just askin'.

Cheers.
Chuck_Gail
Explorer
Jun 21, 2013
We carry a health certificate signed by our vet. We hand it to border guard with our passports. Just makes life simplier.

Sometimes he scores a cookie!
iawoody2
Explorer
Jun 21, 2013
Thanks for all the very helpful info.
Looking forward to our trip in August.
Iowa to New England, with travel thru Canada.
Wally_Walleye
Explorer
Jun 21, 2013
We have crossed into Canada at several differant crossings, from NY to AK. The only place dog food was an issue was at one of the MN crossing. You must have a rabies certificate and have it ready when you cross so when they ask you say yes rabies up to date here is the paper work if you would like to see. Rabies shots are good for 3 years. Chances are they will say no. But be ready. The only other paperwork I have are the bills from the vet that list their other shots. If they ask for more I have the information that they go frequantly to the vet. We full time so our paper work is always with us. Have fun traveling. As far as dog food the worse that can happen is they will take it away. Don't worry about it.
ReneeG
Explorer
Jun 21, 2013
As noted her rabies and a health certificate from your vet. Worth the time to avoid ruining a vacation. When we went, we had these including dog food in the original bags. We pulled up, the border agent looked in, saw our dogs, asked us if we had papers and how much alcohol we had. Before I could answer either question and pull out the papers, he waved us through. They're all different though. We had a tougher border agent coming back. Asked us all about what kind of food we had, if we had any beef, did we buy alcohol there, etc.
n7bsn
Explorer
Jun 21, 2013
Little Kopit wrote:
Quite a number of us have had our vets (and more than one of those) recommend a health certificate from your vet. It's simple time your annual check up with vet to mesh with your trip plans.

& you can then ask about any special considerations they may know of for the area where you're going to.

:C

The government web-sites actually list the health certificate. I know I have never been asked for one, but we always carry them (family on both sides, plus a job that required working on both sides, trust me, I've crossed more times then any sane person, at one point all the border people at a couple places knew me)
Little_Kopit
Explorer
Jun 21, 2013
Quite a number of us have had our vets (and more than one of those) recommend a health certificate from your vet. It's simple time your annual check up with vet to mesh with your trip plans.

& you can then ask about any special considerations they may know of for the area where you're going to.

:C