Traveling thru Canada with dog

[shovelhead86]

We will be going toAlaska in May and I need to know what papers my dog needs to cross into Canada. She has all shots as we a re park hosts in State parks that require it.

[DavidandDayle]

We take our cats back and forth several times a year. We have been asked a couple of times for their certificates -- all ours have is vaccination details. But it's worth having for the few times they ask.
We lost our dry food on one trip because we'd transferred it to plastic storage and discarded the original bags. Food products seem to be more of a problem going into the US.

[mfinnerty]

I do what Greyghost does. Never a problem.

[ReneeG]

When we went to Canada, we had their rabies certs and as advised by our vet, a health certificate for each. I told our vet it wasn't required, but he said better to be safe and not have a trip ruined by one border crossing guard that decides to ask for it. As it turned out, we weren't asked to see either one. We were only asked if we had a rabies cert for each and that was it.

[sue_t]

Just the proof of rabies vaccination is all that is required to bring your dog for a visit to/thru Canada. Paper certificate, not the collar tag.

We've never been asked for a health certificate.

[Greyghost]

Having a health certificate from the vet is technically only good for 30 days, but having one is better than nothing. Every time we cross the border I hand the agent our passports and the dogs papers. We've never been asked for more documentation.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

We had to provide rabies certificates the first time we crossed into Canada; but seemed to go into a database because were never asked again, despite multiple crossings either way. And yes - keep the packaging material for the pet food!

[DownTheAvenue]

On my Alaska trip last summer, I crossed the border many times, and was asked for the dog's rabies certificate by Canadian two times, but never questioned by the Americans.

[Little_Kopit]

BCSnob wrote:
The CFIA website does not indicate a health cert is required.
Importing or Travelling with Domestic Dogs

Maybe not, but there are statements in various government sites that the pet must be in good health. & every single vet I've had since 1978 has recommended that I have a statement of good health signed by a vet. Such a thing is easily added to what is done at an annual check up.

It is true that US Border guards ask about the dogs more often and are more likely to ask to see pet food when there are any sources of flu in animal sources of protein. Keep your original pet food container.

:C

[WNYBob]

Here is a link to U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection site

Clicky

[BCSnob]

The CFIA website does not indicate a health cert is required.
Importing or Travelling with Domestic Dogs

[tonymull]

Technically, you need a health certificate from a vet, practically, the only thing they ever ask to see is a rabies certificate, and usually not even that.

[pulsar]

We've crossed into Canada many times - into Alberta this past summer. We've never been asked for papers on out dogs going into Canada.

Coming back into the US is another story. We are almost always been asked for the dogs shot recored, In particular, they want to see the rabies shot records.


Although we use to get a health certificate, their short records is all we carry, now.

Tom

[BCSnob]

Last year we were asked for rabies certs for all our dogs when crossing the US & CDN border; only other thing we were asked about the dogs was their names (while officer was looking at certs).