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Old 04-08-2015, 02:16 PM   #1
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Traveling with your dog...also a family member

How challenging is it to travel between Washington state and Canada with a dog? Are there special requirements beyond traveling with their up-to-date health/vaccination records and licenses? We love to travel with our Portuguese Water Dog throughout the US, but now want to venture into Canada as well.
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Old 04-08-2015, 02:24 PM   #2
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Not challenging at all. Just have the health/vaccination records with you. They may or may not ask for them. They will likely hand you a cookie for the dog.
There are, however, rules about dog food. To my recollection, it needs to be factory sealed. But, again, they probably won't ask.
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Old 04-08-2015, 02:30 PM   #3
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We crossed the border at Sumas and back from Chilliwack, with our 70 pound Ben in the car, with no questions asked about him. We came prepared, carrying updated documentation of his vaccination records, etc. Best to have and not need than to need and not have.
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Old 04-08-2015, 03:17 PM   #4
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Dog On Board:-)

Thank you all so much for the up-to-date information. We are picking up our 19' Escape next week and then the traveling fun will begin!
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Old 04-08-2015, 03:20 PM   #5
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I've crossed the border many times with multiple dogs. Giung either way, I just hand over the current rabies certificates along with my passport. Never a problem.

As an additional safety measure in my travels, I've got this sign: (contacts covered)

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Old 04-08-2015, 03:44 PM   #6
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Sally has it right. All you need is a copy of recent rabies shots. We actually have never been asked to show them though. They must be within 3 years. Seeing vaccinations only need be done once in their lifetime, if seems they don't care about that.
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Old 04-08-2015, 04:13 PM   #7
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Rabies are also done every three years here in the U.S., so that has to be current, and the official papers also ask what type of vaccination it is (apparently there are various types of rabies' shots). Your vet can get the required forms from the CA authorities. I always have mine current, but have never been asked for them. I've crossed multiple times along the Montana/ID/WA borders.

I also think that having dogs (esp. three, like I do), helps keep you from getting directed into the search lanes, as the agents would rather not deal with them. I was crossing at Chief Mtn once and they were stopping virtually everyone going back into the U.S. When they saw my dogs, they looked at my passport, looked at the dogs, and waved me on through (and no, not Rotties or German Shepard types, but cattle dogs).
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Old 04-08-2015, 04:16 PM   #8
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Dog On Board:-)

I really appreciate all of the helpful comments:-) Thank you to such a wonderful group of people
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Old 04-08-2015, 04:26 PM   #9
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And don't forget - you can take your dog along on the trails in Canada's Natl Parks, which you can't do here in the U.S.

And the vet health records have to be done within 30 days of your crossing to be valid.
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Old 04-08-2015, 05:29 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Escape While You Can View Post
And don't forget - you can take your dog along on the trails in Canada's Natl Parks, which you can't do here in the U.S.

And the vet health records have to be done within 30 days of your crossing to be valid.
The dog does have to be on a leash in the Parks here, and there are a couple trails they are not allowed on, though very few. We have seen a very select few NP trails in US NPs that allow dogs. For instance, there is only one out of the many in Zion, and it is also the only one allowing bikes too, just an easy wide trail along the river.




When entering Canada, only a Rabies Vaccination Certificate is required.

Quote:
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).
Here is a link to a guide to fill out, which will give you the results. I got the above results using an over 8 month old dog, from the USA.
Importing or Travelling with Domestic Dogs - Animals - Canadian Food Inspection Agency





In the US the rabies vaccines must be done at least 30 days before entry, NOT be done within 30 days of entering.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...abies-vaccines
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Old 04-08-2015, 05:37 PM   #11
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Jasper (our dog) likes the border guys, he as gotten a few biscuits from them when crossing.
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Old 04-08-2015, 06:09 PM   #12
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Thank you for this update...a trip to the vet to get a Rabies Vaccination Certificate is what we shall do. Our vet has only given us a credit card receipt for vaccinations and it has their dates/duration of vaccine.
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Old 04-08-2015, 07:26 PM   #13
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It does not need a certificate, just a letter on the vet's stationary reflecting the dates of vaccinations, dated and signed by the vet. I got mine last week, he prints one and stamps his signature.
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Old 04-08-2015, 07:33 PM   #14
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Someone mentioned in an earlier post about pet food. Pay attention. You don't want to throw away good food for your pet, or be put on the future "list," because you're now known as someone trying to sneak unacceptable food across the border. It has happened with friends of mine, totally unintentionally. But, they get the thorough search now, every time they cross the border.

Throwing away $15 worth of pet food before you try to cross the border may save you headaches in the future.

Just sayin'
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Old 04-08-2015, 07:42 PM   #15
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As long as the food in in the original bag, opened- dry type in lieu of unmarked containers. I have not had any issue last 5 times back and forth with 2 dogs. I keep the dog food in a large cooler in back of truck, not in the trailer.
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Old 04-08-2015, 07:48 PM   #16
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Maybe no problems, but the regs for importing dog food from Canada to U.S. are here: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...od-from-canada
Google "bringing dog food into Canada from US" to get the regs. Suggest you buy small amounts.

Found the following for importing into Canada from US.

Travellers may bring into Canada a personal import of pet food (limit of 20 kg), if the import meets all of the following requirements:
  • The pet food or product must be of United States origin and be commercially packaged.
  • The pet food or product must be in the possession of the traveller at the time of entry from the U.S.
  • The animal that will eat the imported product must accompany the traveller at the time of entry.
  • The imported product is fed only to the animal that accompanied the traveller into Canada.
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Old 04-08-2015, 07:53 PM   #17
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Thanks for this idea:-)
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Old 04-10-2015, 08:53 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sally P View Post
I've crossed the border many times with multiple dogs. Giung either way, I just hand over the current rabies certificates along with my passport. Never a problem.

As an additional safety measure in my travels, I've got this sign: (contacts covered)

Attachment 10108
Sally, where did you get that sign? It is a good one!
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Old 04-10-2015, 08:57 AM   #19
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I have a couple of these, for home and the Escape "Rescue Pet" Sign - Four Corners D19-0012 - Safety - Camping World
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Old 04-10-2015, 09:21 AM   #20
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I got them from toocrazyladies.com. They used to have a traveling booth but have now only work from home, AFAIK. They will make any sign, have plenty for RV clubs, etc.
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