Traveling with Pet from US into Canada

[Cowboy Doug]

We are on planning to attend the Escape Rally in Osoyoos this year and will be traveling with our small pet dog. Does anyone know what restrictions we might encounter at the border crossing both going into Canada and coming back into the US?

Thanks,
Doug

 

[salmo7000]

You'll need a current rabies vaccine certificate from your vet. We took 3 across at Sumas in 2018 when we picked up our 19 and didn't get checked. But we have been checked during other trips. In many trips to BC and Alberta, we've never had a problem with multiple dogs, as long as we had their rabies certificates.

 

[Bobbie54]

They probably won't be checking any more but good to have that rabies vaccine certificate.

Also, make sure your dog food is in the original bag and does not contain a forbidden meat (check the customs list). No raw.

 

[EdColorado]

We made a passport for our dog. The women at the CA border said it was the first time she had ever actually seen a dog passport but liked the idea.

Took a good picture of the dog. Printed it out about 3 x 5.
Laid it over a copy of her health certificate/shot record and made several copies.

That way, should the dog get separated from us, we have a picture to show around as well as proof of ownership.

Enjoy your travels.

Ed

 

[Cowboy Doug]

Thanks for the responses. Our dog is current on rabies vaccinations and we have that documentation. I was hoping that was all we would need.

Thanks,
Doug

 

[Iowa Dave]

Our dog travels in a large plastic kennel on the folded down drivers side seat right behind the driver. As you pull into the checkpoint, roll your window down so the crossing official can see the dog. Hand them a current copy of the rabies vaccine record from your vet right with your passports. Answer the questions accurately and succinctly. This has always worked for us, we’ve never been delayed due to the dog. Most common question “Does he hunt?” He is a hunting dog. Twenty eight crossings, 14 each way, in 5 years, all to Canada. Big,tough looking US border guard with a mullet, peered into the seat behind me. “Is that a puppy dog” he said. Cracked me up as we drove away.
Iowa Dave

 

[gbaglo]

Most common question “Does he hunt?” He is a hunting dog.
Iowa Dave

Or, can I give him a biscuit?

 

[cpaharley2008]

Be sure and put an id tag on the dog with your cell phone number in case of separation. We also bring water from home, otherwise you run the risk of upset stomach. Current (90 days) signed letter from vet showing rabies certification, but we have never had to show it over past 6 years and dozens of crossings.

 

[emers382]

Big,tough looking US border guard with a mullet, peered into the seat behind me. “Is that a puppy dog” he said. Cracked me up as we drove away.
Iowa Dave

We once had our daughter's chocolate lab with us crossing into Warroad MN rolled window down, would you like to see his papers I asked the guard. "No", was his response, "as long as he doesn't bite me"

 

[Nindy]

I presented my girls' rabies certificates and they obliged with my request they be stamped like a passport as a keepsake.

 

[2yax2go]

The only check was at ,one of the campgrounds asked to see the dogs papers nothing at any of the border crossings.

 

[Allan Bornestig]

On December 8th 2019 we took delivery of a wire fox terrier at the Seattle airport.The puppy was shipped from Joplin Missouri to Chicago via American Airline Cargo that are very good at shipping cats and dogs.She had all the papers in an envelope taped to the top of the kennel.
Getting up to the Canadian border, we were asked for the purpose of our trip and I replied that we just picked up this puppy from the air port.The guard asked if it came from a Rescue or a Kennel, I truthfully replied from a kennel.He gave me back our passport and said:Have a nice day.But every situation might be different.I had the big envelope with the paper work and vaccinations on the dash board, but he was not interested.
In past years we always had the papers ready but hardly ever got asked.Just my two bits worth.

 

[diannelgraham]

I have two dogs I travel with Labradoodles. I travel to Canada a lot siblings up there and I have dual citizenship. I actually never offer the Canadian border police the rabies papers unless they ask for them. Sometimes they are just having a really crappy day and giving them something they didn’t ask for just makes the crossing a little bit more tense.