How to Travel from The USA to Canada with Dogs

When you travel from the USA to Canada with dogs, it can be a seamless process with the correct paperwork. For humans, this means having a valid U.S. passport and for dogs older than 8 months old you must have an official rabies vaccination certificate from a licensed veterinarian which states that the dog is rabies-free. Additional regulations apply to dogs entering Canada by plane. Obtain a valid passport that identifies your country of citizenship.. If you are an American citizen you can begin your application process at the U.S. Department of State website. Allow 4 to 6 weeks to receive your new passport. Ensure that your dog's rabies certificate is valid.. Dogs entering Canada must have a rabies certificate that states the dog's age, color, breed and sex. A licensed veterinarian must document the date the vaccination was given and clearly state the length of time the vaccination is effective (if it does not, border authorities will consider the certificate to be good for 1 year from the vaccination date). Dogs who have not been vaccinated against rabies can enter Canada but the handler must have a signed certificate from a licensed veterinarian which states the age, color, breed and sex of the dog. The certificate must also vouch that the dog originates from a rabies-free country like the U.S. Dogs who are too young to have a rabies vaccine can enter Canada without this documentation. Handlers must sign a confinement agreement that indicates they will quarantine the dogs at a location of their choosing for at least 30 days after entering the country. Contact your airline if you are traveling by plane to inquire about their border crossing requirements.. In addition to a rabies certificate, to travel with dogs from the U.S. to Canada many airlines will require a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian which states that the dog is fit to travel. Most airlines require the certificate to be dated no more than 10 days before to entering the country. Copy your dog's current health records and bundle them in a secure envelope.. This information will come in handy if your dog needs veterinary care while in Canada. Purchase a new identification tag that indicates your most current contact information, including a phone number where you can be reached in Canada.. Locate the pet supply stores closest to your destination because you may need to purchase food upon your arrival.. Canada border crossing requirements do not allow visitors to bring opened cans or bags of dog food into the country. Thank you for watching!