Driving from Canada to USA

[Maxxx]

I've been searching on this site and it seems a current rabies certificate is all I need to cross the border with Max. Is this right?

[brunie's mom]

Yes...just your rabies certificate. We've taken our dogs on many road trips....and have never even been asked once for their rabies certificates. I would have it ready....and NOTHING.
The one thing I've heard them ask about is dog food....don't take too much across one way or the other. People have had their dog food taken away. Not sure why...most of it is made in the USA? Could be meat and veggies,etc. are not allowed to come through?

Gina

[fbkeays]

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

The one thing I've heard them ask about is dog food....don't take too much across one way or the other. People have had their dog food taken away. Not sure why...most of it is made in the USA? Could be meat and veggies,etc. are not allowed to come through?

Gina

It has to do with mad cow. If you have sealed (ie never been opened) and not of the beef type, then you should be fine.

[tmatty]

I live in Washington, near a small border town and travel between Canada and my home several times a week. If not for handling classes, for dog shows, etc. The only time I am asked to show any papaerwork for my dogs is going INTO Canada, and it is very important that the names on the dogs papers matches your name or someone traveling with you. They will question you if they do not match.

Coming INTO the US, they are the ones that ask about the dog food. And almost always, it will be taken away. It is better to just buy your food once you're here.

The food thing is about the mad cow issue. I was told by a US customs guy that in Canada, dog foods are processed in the same processing plants as livestock feeds. In the states, they are not. I don't know about all Canadian dog foods, but this is what the US customs person told me as to why they don't allow dog foods into the US from Canada.

[Ayoka]

we went across last fall and they didn't ask to see the papers but we had them in case. I was also able to get my hands on a pile of small sample bags of EVO from my local store...they know they have my $$ anyway so they didn't mind giving me enough samples for a week. They get them for free anyway.

[Maxxx]

Thanks all! We might be going for a quick road trip, so no food needed, but I'll definitely keep that in mind if we do end up going for a longer period. I like the idea of bringing sample bags. I wonder if they make Oirjen LBP samples? I'll have to check next time I'm at the store...

[mamamia1]

If you travel with your pet frequently, you can actually get a pet passport.

[Maxxx]

Originally Posted by mamamia1

If you travel with your pet frequently, you can actually get a pet passport.

I might be doing so in the future... what's a pet passport? And where can I get one?

[SABELLESMOM]

Pet Travel Store has pet passports. US and Canada have the same requirements for pets coming INto the country. The toll free number is: 1-877-241-0184.

They also have the Euro and Uk forms, etc. Pet Travel Store - pet dog passports, forms, pet carriers, airline crates, microchips, scanners SturdiBags for traveling pets. The cost is about $8.00 for the US/Can. ...more overseas.

[mamamia1]

The Pet Travel Scheme [PETS] is a system that was initiated in Europe to allow Pets to enter/exit the county without being quarantined. The requirements are much stiffer for Europe and are accepted in quite a large number of countries.

Basically it is a booklet containing Pet Microchip Information, proof of vaccinations, blood test [6 months prior to travel] and Proof of treatment for Ticks and Tapeworm 24 to 48 hours before entry into Europe.

I believe that the only requirement for entry to the US is the Rabies, but most of us have all of these other docs anyways to why not keep them in one spot ie The Pet Passport.

[Maxxx]

I'll have to take a look into those Pet Passports. Sounds like a nice document to have with you.

A friend of mine told me dogs should be pre-cleared for crossing weeks in advance. I'm assuming this isn't true? I can just go to the border with a rabies certificate?

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by Maxxx

I'll have to take a look into those Pet Passports. Sounds like a nice document to have with you.

A friend of mine told me dogs should be pre-cleared for crossing weeks in advance. I'm assuming this isn't true? I can just go to the border with a rabies certificate?

That's only if you are flying your dog. They need a health certificate...I think 48 hrs before the flight? Just for the airlines safety in case a dog dies during the flight.

Nope..no pre-clearing nothing. Drive to the border...they ask to see your passports...often make a comment about the "nice dog" ....and that's it. We've crossed from B.C. to Washington State, from New Brunswick to Maine, and from Ontario to Michigan...never been asked to see anything.

Gina

[Maxxx]

Change of plans, we won't be going across the border this weekend. Just as good. I don't mind having a quiet long weekend at home. Thanks for all the replies!

[Janus'sMom]

I've travelled alot in the past with my dog going into and out of Canada... Just an FYI if you ever decide to take a longer trip, some things to bring with you...

1) Rabies Certificate (Obviously, and any other vet records, just incase)
2) Photo of your dog (Incase it gets lost)
3) Pet First Aide Box (Better to be safe than sorry)
4) Water from my home (I usually fill a cleaned empty 2liter soda bottle and fill it just before leaving)
5) Extra leash and collar (Again, better safe than sorry)

Otherwise, have fun :D

[Ayoka]

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

Nope..no pre-clearing nothing. Drive to the border...they ask to see your passports...often make a comment about the "nice dog" ....and that's it. We've crossed from B.C. to Washington State, from New Brunswick to Maine, and from Ontario to Michigan...never been asked to see anything.

Gina

hehe at our NB-Maine crossing they didn't believe THERE WAS a dog in the car since bear was in his kennell so they asked what kind of dog...I think they were hoping to catch us off guard... They STILL didn't ask for anything.