Can I bring my dog across US-Canada border? Adopt a pet abroad? See the rules
From cuddles to mealtimes and walks, most people want to spend as much time as possible with their pets.
What happens if you need to take a trip?
Traveling with dogs, cats and other critters can be complicated, especially if you’re leaving Washington state for another country.
What are the rules for bringing pets across the border into Canada? What if you’re adopting a pet abroad?
Here’s your guide to traveling across the U.S.-Canadian border with animals:
What are rules for crossing U.S-Canada border with pets?
Bringing a furry friend to Canada? You’ll have to follow certain guidelines.
“If you are travelling with a pet or planning to import an animal to Canada, you will need the right paperwork at the border to meet Canada’s import requirements,” the Canadian government said.
“If you don’t, you risk experiencing delays at the border and your animal may not be allowed into Canada,” Canadian officials said.
What paperwork do I need for my dog?
The kind of paperwork you’ll need when crossing the U.S.-Canadian border depends on the kind of pet you’re bringing with you.
“Proof of rabies vaccination” is required for all dogs older than 8 months, according to the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
“Pet dogs older than 8 months do not require any health certificate” from a licensed veterinarian in the United States, U.S. officials said, but you may need one if you have a younger dog.
If your pup is traveling “unaccompanied,” they’ll need to be “examined and have a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 72 hours of arrival in Canada,” the U.S. inspection service said.
*Dogs younger than 3 months old are not required to be vaccinated for rabies but proof of the dog’s age must be available to Canadian officials,” the U.S. inspection service said.
Do the same rules apply to cats? Ferrets?
According to the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the rules are simpler for people entering Canada with their cats.
In most cases, you’ll need a rabies vaccination certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian
“Kittens under 3 months of age (are) exempt from rabies vaccination,” inspection officials said.
If you’re bringing a ferret across the border, you’ll need to provide proof of rabies vaccination within a 12-month prior to your trip.
“Any ferret over 3 months of age traveling without proof of rabies vaccination can be immediately vaccinated upon arrival in Canada at a veterinary clinic without quarantine,” U.S. inspection officials said.
What about birds?
You may want to think twice about traveling with your pet parrot.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency “prohibits the movement of all live birds, including pet birds, live poultry and hatching eggs” originating from or traveling through trade restriction zones due to concerns about highly pathogenic avian influenza, U.S. inspection officials said.
What are the steps for adopting a dog in Canada?
If you want to adopt a dog in Canada and bring it back to the United States, you’ll need some extra paperwork.
You’ll need to fill out a dog import form for each pooch you plan to bring home, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“For dogs that have been only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries in the six months before U.S. entry, this is the only form that is needed,” the CDC said.
Dogs vaccinated in the United States and abroad “that have been in a high-risk country six months before U.S entry have additional requirements,” according to the federal agency.
The rules are more lax for bringing cats back to the States.
According to the CDC, cats must “appear healthy upon arrival to the United States,” adding that the kitties will be “denied entry” if they show evidence of a zoonotic disease.”
The U.S. Department of State reminded pet owners that airlines and shipping lines may have their own rules and policies for transporting pets.
“Do not assume that if you have shipped your pet as accompanied baggage to post that you can ship your pet in the same way back into the United States,” the federal agency said.
How can I make crossing the border easier?
To make your experience at the U.S.-Canadian border a little smoother, ensure all your documents are together and can be easily presented to the border agent.
You should also be prepared to declare whatever you plan on bringing into the country.
What do I have to declare when crossing Canadian border?
When crossing the Canadian border, you are required to “declare all of the goods you acquired while outside Canada, such as purchases, gifts, prizes or awards that you are bringing with you or are having shipped to you,” according to government officials.
You also need to declare “goods that are still in your possession that you bought at a Canadian or foreign duty-free shop,” the Canada Border Services Agency said.