taking cats into canada

[MrsSoCalToolGuy]

We are getting ready for about a 6 week trip that includes traveling in parts of Canada.. We will be carrying their healthcare records that show their shots, but they do not need rabies shots here where we live in Socal.. What are the requirements in Canada?

Thanks
Barb

[MrsSoCalToolGuy]

Thanks for all the replys.. We went ahead and took them to the vet for the shots, plus rabies. They were not happy (campers). but now we hopefully don't have to worry about crossing into Canada without the proper papers.. Our luck though is no one will ask.:R

That's the way is goes I guess.
Thanks again

Barb

[sue_t]

According to the Canadian gov't site linked above a valid rabies certificate is required, a health certificate is NOT.

Same for dogs; a health certificate is NOT required for your dog to visit Canada but a valid rabies certificate is.

I feel sorry for folks paying to get a health certificate when it is NOT required to visit or drive through Canada on your way to Alaska.

We've crossed the border many times with our pets. Have had to show the certificates only twice.

[Little_Kopit]

There are regulations on file that permit customs on either side to take, ie confiscate pet food. What can trigger that is events in either or both countries, such a bird flu. In which case, your pet food might include poultry as a source of protein.

I travel with pet food I can buy in either country.

If I had a pet with a special diet, I would always carry a signed copy of my vets prescription for such special diet.

:C
ps. there are stickies in the section of this forum called RVing in Canada and Alaska that cover lots of border crossing info.

[Opie431]

We went to our vet and told him that we were going to Canada, what did we need for our cat. He knew what to do and provided us the papers. Call your vet and ask for his, or her, advice.

[amandasgramma]

I'll get the exam and shots......my luck means I'd be the ONE traveler to be checked for it!!!!!!!! LOL

[l001952119]

diazr2 wrote:
They need Rabies shots and on some crossings we were asked for their certificate of health. They always ask for the rabies certificate. I should clarify
these were dogs not cats. Not sure if they are the same requirements or not I would guess they are.

Cat's need current rabies certificates. Refer to the Canada Customs website for all their requirements/restrictions. We travelled into Canada with two cats. Canadian Customs did not request to see the rabies certificates. They are a very professional staff of Customs agents.

[MrsSoCalToolGuy]

Ketchman wrote:
We just returned from a trip through Canada both up and down from Canada. Our research told us we needed to have a certificate that showed our cat was in good health, and had appropriate shots. We went to our vet and he supplied the statement. We were never asked about the cat in all the border crossing we had. They are more concerned about raw food products, alcoholic beverages, and guns. Have a great trip, our cat seemed to love it.

This was our experience 4 years ago.. We did take our cats to a vet in Mesa Arizona where we spent that winter while fulltime rving.. They (the vet) told us we were over vaccinating our cats. Who knew? Then they said that the kitties did need Rabies shots to go into Canada. We have 3 cats, that vet charged us $330.00 for the 3 rabies shots/office call and the rabies certificate.. Holy smokes. We nearly fell over.. Never paid that much EVER before. We paid it, what could we do?
Once we got to the Canadian boarder, we were never even asked about our cats.:R

[Ketchman]

We just returned from a trip through Canada both up and down from Canada. Our research told us we needed to have a certificate that showed our cat was in good health, and had appropriate shots. We went to our vet and he supplied the statement. We were never asked about the cat in all the border crossing we had. They are more concerned about raw food products, alcoholic beverages, and guns. Have a great trip, our cat seemed to love it.

[n7bsn]

Always go to the source

[diazr2]

They need Rabies shots and on some crossings we were asked for their certificate of health. They always ask for the rabies certificate. I should clarify
these were dogs not cats. Not sure if they are the same requirements or not I would guess they are.