Hey Everyone,We are headed up to BC for a short visit tomorrow. Unfortunately our puppy sitter got called out of town. So, it looks like our Golden Retriever will be coming with us.I looked on the Canada Customs site and found the following:The rabies vaccination certificate must: •be written in English or French;•be issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian;•identify the animal (breed, sex, 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).I looked at Annie's health certificate and it does indicate a rabies vaccination and date but does not have the serial# or her weight.We will be crossing at Blaine.Is this likely to cause us trouble?ThanksSteve

You'll probably be OK since you're traveling with a golden, they have a habit of winning over the thoughts of any inspector with their big brown eyes and charm. But you could maybe stop at the kennel and they would sign a certificate basically verifying what you've said if that would make things more official looking. Does she have her rabies tag on her collar, if so, I think you'll be OK. Tell Annie not to kiss the inspector unless he/she begs for one!

Islandman wrote:You'll probably be OK since you're traveling with a golden, they have a habit of winning over the thoughts of any inspector with their big brown eyes and charm. But you could maybe stop at the kennel and they would sign a certificate basically verifying what you've said if that would make things more official looking. Does she have her rabies tag on her collar, if so, I think you'll be OK. Tell Annie not to kiss the inspector unless he/she begs for one!:) She certainly has me wrapped around her little paw....I have a health certificate that indicates date, doctor and location. However, it does not have all of the detail that was asked for on the website.I am checking on the tag.. The did not give her an updated tag when we had her vaccines updated in October.

I'm a little surprised your certificate doesn't already meet the requirements - that is whey they are issued in the first place - it is possible you simply have a vets vaccination record - not a certificate.You can probably call your vet and get a fresh certificate faxed to you before you go - we had a similar issue a couple of years ago and it took all of 20 minutes to get it resolved. If you are unable to do this then make sure you have whatever records you already possess and the name/address/phone number of your vet for reference in case there is a need to give the office a call.Having said all of this - in all our years of crossing both ways we have never been asked to produce a certificate - once we were asked "is your paperwork in order" and then waved on.Good luck,Jay

We also get a "good health" certificate from the Vet, doesn't hurt.

You should get an actual "Rabies Certificate" when she gets the shot. This should always have the vaccine trade name and serial number on it. This certificate is the only truly official document to prove rabies vaccination. Contact your vet's office and ask them for a new printout of the Rabies Vaccination.P.S. As soon as my dogs get their shots updated, I immediately make 3 copies of the Rabies Certificate. One copy goes in the RV; one goes into the car; the original goes in a file for them with the third copy (I pull as needed for boarding, etc.).

Rabies vaccination document question? | Good Sam Community

Islandman
Explorer
Feb 02, 2015
You'll probably be OK since you're traveling with a golden, they have a habit of winning over the thoughts of any inspector with their big brown eyes and charm. But you could maybe stop at the kennel and they would sign a certificate basically verifying what you've said if that would make things more official looking. Does she have her rabies tag on her collar, if so, I think you'll be OK. Tell Annie not to kiss the inspector unless he/she begs for one!
PNW_Steve
Explorer
Feb 02, 2015
Islandman wrote:
You'll probably be OK since you're traveling with a golden, they have a habit of winning over the thoughts of any inspector with their big brown eyes and charm. But you could maybe stop at the kennel and they would sign a certificate basically verifying what you've said if that would make things more official looking. Does she have her rabies tag on her collar, if so, I think you'll be OK. Tell Annie not to kiss the inspector unless he/she begs for one!

:) She certainly has me wrapped around her little paw....

I have a health certificate that indicates date, doctor and location. However, it does not have all of the detail that was asked for on the website.

I am checking on the tag.. The did not give her an updated tag when we had her vaccines updated in October.
RangerJay
Explorer
Feb 02, 2015
I'm a little surprised your certificate doesn't already meet the requirements - that is whey they are issued in the first place - it is possible you simply have a vets vaccination record - not a certificate.

You can probably call your vet and get a fresh certificate faxed to you before you go - we had a similar issue a couple of years ago and it took all of 20 minutes to get it resolved. If you are unable to do this then make sure you have whatever records you already possess and the name/address/phone number of your vet for reference in case there is a need to give the office a call.

Having said all of this - in all our years of crossing both ways we have never been asked to produce a certificate - once we were asked "is your paperwork in order" and then waved on.

Good luck,

Jay
n7bsn
Explorer
Feb 02, 2015
We also get a "good health" certificate from the Vet, doesn't hurt.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Feb 02, 2015
You should get an actual "Rabies Certificate" when she gets the shot. This should always have the vaccine trade name and serial number on it. This certificate is the only truly official document to prove rabies vaccination. Contact your vet's office and ask them for a new printout of the Rabies Vaccination.

P.S. As soon as my dogs get their shots updated, I immediately make 3 copies of the Rabies Certificate. One copy goes in the RV; one goes into the car; the original goes in a file for them with the third copy (I pull as needed for boarding, etc.).
Halfmast
Explorer
Feb 02, 2015
I am domiciled in Florida but have family in Canada. I travel with my cat. Before I go north, I get a USDA form (APHIS Form 7001) from the Vet stating that the cat is up to date on shots, and listing each.

$25 but well worth it.
Fizz
Explorer
Feb 03, 2015
Getting refused entry at the border is bad, worse would be getting refused on the way back home.
tonymull
Explorer
Feb 03, 2015
IN my experience they usually don't even ask. But better safe than sorry.
Luke_Porter
Explorer
Feb 04, 2015
It's pretty simple---a rabies certificate is required---not a "health certificate".
bee_46
Explorer
Feb 05, 2015
You should be able to get a copy of the rabies certificate from your vet. I even had my vet fax me a copy to a motel when we thought we were going to have to cross the border with our cat unexpectedly.