Travelling with my cat to Canada

[Gypsyangel 11]

Hi,

Does anyone have any info/experience with travelling with their cat back into Canada? I'd like to bring my guy with me on vacation to Northern Ontario in August and I'm worried about vaccines going into Canada.

I understand from what I've read that they need to have a rabies shot and be up-to-date on vaccines. I believe my (Canadian) cat is up to date on his vaccines, but I'm not 100% sure about the rabies -- need to ask my vet -- they say you need proof that the cat has had a rabies shot within 36 months of your visit.

The thing is, that he's older and he's a CRF cat (he has chronic renal failure, which I need to medically manage) so I don't want to give anything that will stress his system.

I wouldn't really think about travelling with my little guy, but I'd like to visit my parents and his medical needs mean I can't leave him alone with a pet sitter which is what I used to do. And I don't want to leave him at the vet for two weeks.

Anyone know if the Canadian border is really strict about this sort of thing? I don't think the U.S. border coming back will be a problem.

Any thoughts, advice, info?

Thanks!

[trailmix 77]

We crossed the land border in to Canada with our cat. They were not really interested, just like when we crossed in to the U.S. When we got to the window we told them we had a cat (and a car and we were returning residents etc etc). He asked us to go inside and present our documents for the cat and the car.

When we got in there we had to import our stuff and our car, but no mention was ever made of the cat.

We did have her current rabies vaccination sheet with us, documented as described on the Canada Food Inspection Agency Website

Edited July 6, 2010 by trailmix

[Darnell 8,478]

pet sitter?

suggest checking in with your local vet, ask about 'boarding' for cats.

Some vets board, many don't, but all know where the local 'boarding place' is.

MOST boarding places have vet techs there, handle any medical condition.

Sure, is some fee for this, but cash trumps border crossings, in my book, each time.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

If you don't want to stress your cat, don't make him travel. Generally speaking, and despite the fact that cats have quite different personalities, cats hate that! Find a cat sitter or a cat pension with an owner who loves cats like they were her own children.

[arya 22]

I've only taken cats into USA, not back to Canada but I'll respond anyway. I took two of my cats on an airplane separately. For the first cat they wanted to see the documents, vaccinations and Health certificate. For the second cat, they couldn't care less, they didn't even ask for any documents.

[Gypsyangel 11]

Hi,

Thanks for all your replies. Believe me, I am reluctant to travel with my cat as I know it will stress him out. Sorry, I wasn't clear in my original post, but one of the options is to board him at the vet. Because he's a medical-needs cat, I would prefer to board him there.

I guess I should have simply asked if they ask for papers when you bring your cat over the border into Canada. They didn't ask for any papers at all when we POE'd to the US. I was hoping that it would be the same into Canada, but for some reason I think Canada is more strict about such things.

It sounds like it'####### or miss so I should have papers. I'd hate to drive for 7 hours and then get turned away.

Thanks for all your experiences!

PS. For those of you wondering about pet sitting - it's just someone who comes into your home on a daily or whatever-you-want basis. It's definitely the least stressful and not much more $$$-wise than boarding. However, my cat generally hides under the bed when the pet-sitter comes so she'd never be able to catch him to give him his fluids. For me, prior to the medical issues, it was always the best option. It was more cost effective when I had more cats. Down to one these days ...

[trailmix 77]

Yes, good idea to have the rabies vaccination documented. If you are driving - and I assume you are, that is all you need.

[OBX 51]

I have not travelled back to Canada with my cats, however, I do always bring my dog. Last month was the first time I was asked for any vaccination info on the dog. My previous vet in Canada provided handy ID cards for all pets which showed all of their info (breed, age, vaccination history with dates given and date of expiry) . My dog received a three year rabies shot before leaving Canada so his shot was 18 months old when we crossed. I simply pulled out the dogs's card, showed it to the officer and we were fine. I'm not even sure he looked closely at the dates but he was satisfied that I had it.

[nickbits 43]

I have brought my cat into Canada (driving) with no problems. I had his vacination records with me but I do not remember if they asked for them.

[neiks 19]

Rabies should be up to date and should travel with the certificate/documents from the vet stating so. You may never be asked for them but then again you may get an officer that wants to see them and may make a "issue" if you don't have them. Best to be on the safe side b/c it would be a crappy thing to get turned back because of that.

[Gypsyangel 11]

Thanks everyone! It's a big help. If I decide to travel with my little guy, I'll make sure I have papers.