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Who else has brought/is bringing a dog from US?

tx-to-ca

Full Member
Mar 15, 2018
31
7
Hi all, a few questions for anybody who might know or might also be wondering:

1) We have a rabies vaccine certificate with our dog's name and breed, age, date and type of vaccination, and vet's name printed on it and all the contact info for their clinic. Do you think they actually require a scribbly hand-written signature or is the printed name on company paper enough? Their official language is that the certificate needs to be "signed" by a vet.

2) This might be a dumb question, but do you need to include your pet in your personal effects document? Does it need to be declared in any way on paper?

3) For those of you who crossed by car, did they ask for anything more than the rabies certificate and a look at the dog?

4) Did your dog need to leave the car at all during the process and if so were you able to handle them yourself?

My dog is generally friendly but she definitely barks up a storm when strangers get too close to our "territory", so I'm just hoping for a smooth crossing. My wife is the one landing and importing, I'm the Canadian citizen, so I wonder if I can just step out of the car with the dog while she finishes the process with the officials.
 

steaky

VIP Member
Nov 11, 2008
14,298
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2) No, just declare at the booth that you are importing a pet (a live animal) or if you are given the form, then declare
3) they ask for the contract
4) No, we didn't go to secondary.
 

headingforcanada101

Full Member
Nov 14, 2017
29
3
App. Filed.......
11-05-2018
AOR Received.
14-06-2018
Hi all, a few questions for anybody who might know or might also be wondering:

1) We have a rabies vaccine certificate with our dog's name and breed, age, date and type of vaccination, and vet's name printed on it and all the contact info for their clinic. Do you think they actually require a scribbly hand-written signature or is the printed name on company paper enough? Their official language is that the certificate needs to be "signed" by a vet.

2) This might be a dumb question, but do you need to include your pet in your personal effects document? Does it need to be declared in any way on paper?

3) For those of you who crossed by car, did they ask for anything more than the rabies certificate and a look at the dog?

4) Did your dog need to leave the car at all during the process and if so were you able to handle them yourself?

My dog is generally friendly but she definitely barks up a storm when strangers get too close to our "territory", so I'm just hoping for a smooth crossing. My wife is the one landing and importing, I'm the Canadian citizen, so I wonder if I can just step out of the car with the dog while she finishes the process with the officials.
I am. I have my rabies vaccination papers and I plan to get letters of good health from my vet 30 days before travel. I am nervous about crossing the border by land. You can't ship animals as cargo in between May - October and I don't trust the airlines with them as "Checked Luggage". I have a 36 hour drive. My dogs are typically mild mannered but I look for them to go nuts when border patrol comes up to the car.
 

steaky

VIP Member
Nov 11, 2008
14,298
1,628
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Pre-Assessed..
I am. I have my rabies vaccination papers and I plan to get letters of good health from my vet 30 days before travel. I am nervous about crossing the border by land. You can't ship animals as cargo in between May - October and I don't trust the airlines with them as "Checked Luggage". I have a 36 hour drive. My dogs are typically mild mannered but I look for them to go nuts when border patrol comes up to the car.
It just depends on the airline, yet you can ship animals as cargo in between May through October and I trust the airline with them as checked luggage. No, mine didn't go nuts when border patrol came up to the car.
 

headingforcanada101

Full Member
Nov 14, 2017
29
3
App. Filed.......
11-05-2018
AOR Received.
14-06-2018
It just depends on the airline, yet you can ship animals as cargo in between May through October and I trust the airline with them as checked luggage. No, mine didn't go nuts when border patrol came up to the car.
You cannot ship animals as Cargo during those dates from where I am from. I called and spoke to them at the Cargo center. Maybe it is different from other places but I am from the South in the US with high temperatures.
 

steaky

VIP Member
Nov 11, 2008
14,298
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You cannot ship animals as Cargo during those dates from where I am from. I called and spoke to them at the Cargo center. Maybe it is different from other places but I am from the South in the US with high temperatures.
Right. NYC is in the north.
 

thisworks

Star Member
Apr 17, 2017
174
97
Boston, US
Category........
Visa Office......
New York
NOC Code......
1112
Doc's Request.
02-10-2017
AOR Received.
14-09-2017
Med's Done....
10-08-2017
Passport Req..
12-10-2017
VISA ISSUED...
18-10-2017
We will be bringing my dog along for a short landing by land. We live in New Jersey, and have a NJ veterinarian issued rabies vaccination certificate. Any tips or suggestions for us when we return back to the US in 2 weeks? Thanks!
 

steaky

VIP Member
Nov 11, 2008
14,298
1,628
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
We will be bringing my dog along for a short landing by land. We live in New Jersey, and have a NJ veterinarian issued rabies vaccination certificate. Any tips or suggestions for us when we return back to the US in 2 weeks? Thanks!
Like what? In my experience, border officers of both sides doesn't always want to see the papers.
 
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links18

Champion Member
Feb 1, 2006
2,009
128
Border officers really don't care about pets in my experience. They might ask for a rabies vaccine certificate. Make sure you have that. Be careful with pet food though: You aren't supposed to bring anything containing lamb, mutton, venison, bison, and something else I forget across the border. Also, make sure any pet food you bring is in its original packaging, so they know what the ingredients are. Again, usually they don't care, but if you get the one officer who does, you could end up delayed or even paying a hefty fine if you are bringing across prohibited items.
 
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thisworks

Star Member
Apr 17, 2017
174
97
Boston, US
Category........
Visa Office......
New York
NOC Code......
1112
Doc's Request.
02-10-2017
AOR Received.
14-09-2017
Med's Done....
10-08-2017
Passport Req..
12-10-2017
VISA ISSUED...
18-10-2017
Be careful with pet food though: You aren't supposed to bring anything containing lamb, mutton, venison, bison, and something else I forget across the border. Also, make sure any pet food you bring is in its original packaging, so they know what the ingredients are.
Thanks, very helpful.
 

Alex54321

Hero Member
Jul 28, 2017
513
127
USA
Category........
FAM
App. Filed.......
20-10-2017
AOR Received.
01-12-2017
Thanks, very helpful.
Two weeks ago crossed Windsor border with a child, a dog and huge bag a dog food (40lb) from Costco. I had all required papers for a child and a dog, but no questions asked other than passports.... On the way back - the same, no questions.
 

thisworks

Star Member
Apr 17, 2017
174
97
Boston, US
Category........
Visa Office......
New York
NOC Code......
1112
Doc's Request.
02-10-2017
AOR Received.
14-09-2017
Med's Done....
10-08-2017
Passport Req..
12-10-2017
VISA ISSUED...
18-10-2017
Two weeks ago crossed Windsor border with a child, a dog and huge bag a dog food (40lb) from Costco. I had all required papers for a child and a dog, but no questions asked other than passports.... On the way back - the same, no questions.
Thanks alex