Has anyone gone home for a visit with their pets in tow?

[Amanda-Lise 0]

It looks like we will finally be able to go home for a visit this may. If possible, I wanted to bring our huskies with us. Just wondering if anyone else has tried it, and what was required.

Excited for a visit but don't like the thought of having to board my babies

[Sprailenes 47]

I always bring my dog back to Canada when I visit, infact I just returned yesterday. Never had a problem, only once was I asked if I had any vaccination records for her. That was it.

[Amanda-Lise 0]

I always bring my dog back to Canada when I visit, infact I just returned yesterday. Never had a problem, only once was I asked if I had any vaccination records for her. That was it.

Thanks! We were just so paranoid of getting all the way to the border and finding out we couldn't cross with them.

[thetreble 19]

I have brought my dog before. Never any questions asked. I bring their vaccinations records just in case. They have to be up to date on their rabies shots.

[rexalite 0]

I have brought my dog before. Never any questions asked. I bring their vaccinations records just in case. They have to be up to date on their rabies shots.

That is right - all they need is their uptodate rabies certificate. They used to ask for them all the time years ago, but the last 30 times I have crossed the border with my dog noone on Canadian or American side asks for the dog. The only thing they worry about entering the US is if you have dog food with you because that is contraband.

[OBX 51]

I have brought my dog before. Never any questions asked. I bring their vaccinations records just in case. They have to be up to date on their rabies shots.

That is right - all they need is their uptodate rabies certificate. They used to ask for them all the time years ago, but the last 30 times I have crossed the border with my dog noone on Canadian or American side asks for the dog. The only thing they worry about entering the US is if you have dog food with you because that is contraband.

It appears there has been a change regarding dog food crossing from Canada into the US. This is from the U.S. Customs & Border Proctection site:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently relaxed rules for travelers entering the U.S. with pet foods that contain ruminant meat or meat by-products from Canada. This includes pet foods made from cattle, bison, deer, elk, caribou, moose or camels. Pet food containing meat from those animals are now allowed entry in the U.S.

Commercial pet food that lists lamb, sheep or goat in the ingredient list is still prohibited.

[JillA 2]

I have brought my dog before. Never any questions asked. I bring their vaccinations records just in case. They have to be up to date on their rabies shots.

That is right - all they need is their uptodate rabies certificate. They used to ask for them all the time years ago, but the last 30 times I have crossed the border with my dog noone on Canadian or American side asks for the dog. The only thing they worry about entering the US is if you have dog food with you because that is contraband.

It appears there has been a change regarding dog food crossing from Canada into the US. This is from the U.S. Customs & Border Proctection site:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently relaxed rules for travelers entering the U.S. with pet foods that contain ruminant meat or meat by-products from Canada. This includes pet foods made from cattle, bison, deer, elk, caribou, moose or camels. Pet food containing meat from those animals are now allowed entry in the U.S.

Commercial pet food that lists lamb, sheep or goat in the ingredient list is still prohibited.

Thanks for that info! My sister is planning to come visit with her pups in the near future so I'll let her know that. She buys organic dog food so who knows if it has lamb in it.

[Gypsyangel 11]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently relaxed rules for travelers entering the U.S. with pet foods that contain ruminant meat or meat by-products from Canada. This includes pet foods made from cattle, bison, deer, elk, caribou, moose or camels. Pet food containing meat from those animals are now allowed entry in the U.S.

Camels? Really? Who knew? Are there Canadian camels?

[JillA 2]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently relaxed rules for travelers entering the U.S. with pet foods that contain ruminant meat or meat by-products from Canada. This includes pet foods made from cattle, bison, deer, elk, caribou, moose or camels. Pet food containing meat from those animals are now allowed entry in the U.S.

Camels? Really? Who knew? Are there Canadian camels?

[ashenflowers 5]

You guys are all mentioning dogs, but I'm assuming the process is the same for cats? I did look it up once, but forget the website now. Reality is usually different anyways. lol

[rooster 1]

You guys are all mentioning dogs, but I'm assuming the process is the same for cats? I did look it up once, but forget the website now. Reality is usually different anyways. lol

Danette and I took our Bengal cat with us two years ago. We took the vaccination records with us but, were never asked for them. They also did not ask us about the cat food either.

[elsoar 3]

You guys are all mentioning dogs, but I'm assuming the process is the same for cats? I did look it up once, but forget the website now. Reality is usually different anyways. lol

Same for cats - just need their rabies certificate. The border is much more concerned about plants than pets. The one time I brought both my cats and houseplants the agent was wicked concerned that I have the phytosanitary certificate (needed to bring plants to the US) but never even asked about the cats' rabies shots.

Also, speaking of pet food. Don't buy pet food in the US to bring into Canada. I did last time b/c it was more convenient (and cheaper!) and the border agent warned us there is a list of acceptable/unacceptable pet foods that can be brought into Canada - and that none of the border agents like looking at it so to avoid a hassle we should never bring any in the future. He was kind enough to let us go without searching the car/confiscating the cat food, but just another FYI on what not to do.

Elly