IN A RUSH - does anyone know California requirements for bringing a cat from Canada??

[simistar 2]

HI everyone!

So sorry, I have done a quick search and couldn't find what I'm looking for (apologies if is is out there)...

I urgently need to know if the state of California (apparently all states have different requirements) requires that a cat being brought from Canada into the US (and into California) have a rabies vaccine..??

I can't find anything saying they do? only dogs. But can't find anything "official" just anecdotal postings in chat rooms ...

The airline we are flying also has its own requirements, as does the federal US government. Federally, cats are not required to be vaccinated against rabies. On hold with airline (for the past hour) now to find out its requirements...

Need info on California ASAP as I need to know whether to book vet appointment before cat flies on Monday!

Thank you all so much in advance!

[JohnR! 5,495]

The regulation is the same for the lower 48.

Check out the link to the USDA: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/aphis/ourfocus/importexport?1dmy&urile=wcm%3apath%3a%2Faphis_content_library%2Fsa_our_focus%2Fsa_import_export%2Fsa_animals%2Fsa_pet_travel%2Fct_animal_imports_pets

Good luck!

[pro_star 52]

Just get the shot.

Though I'll add that though yes mine was a dog and yes we drove down...nobody asked to see proof of vaccination. They did, however, ask me if she was up to date on her shots.

Though you're flying a cat down to Cali in the winter...make sure you have a good water dish for in kitty's crate - and perhaps see if you can get kitty to drink from one of those bottles like you get for hamsters. It is going to be very hot on the Tarmac and you'll want to keep the cat hydrated. Not only can flying be stressful but...

In this weather not in winter. Seriously auto correct how did you even do that???

(Or perhaps heat is also frying MY brain)

[FiveFootMo 0]

I brought my cat with me from Canada to Florida on the plane but in the Cabin. For flying in the cabin I needed to have her health certificate from the vet that says she had a check up within 30 days. She also needed her up to date shots. FVRCP and rabies. At POE at Pearson in Toronto, they just asked for her paperwork and that's it.

I didn't want to be held up for anything because it was a stressful situation as is. You should get it done either way.

There's also this,

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/56/~/pets---cats

Edited July 19, 2014 by FiveFootMo

[simistar 2]

The regulation is the same for the lower 48.

Check out the link to the USDA: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/aphis/ourfocus/importexport?1dmy&urile=wcm%3apath%3a%2Faphis_content_library%2Fsa_our_focus%2Fsa_import_export%2Fsa_animals%2Fsa_pet_travel%2Fct_animal_imports_pets

Good luck!

Thank you so much! Admittedly only gave it a quick read but it seems like every other document I've read...specifies dogs but doesn't really say anything cats.... i could be wrong and will give it a more thorough read as soon as I can:-)

Just get the shot.

Though I'll add that though yes mine was a dog and yes we drove down...nobody asked to see proof of vaccination. They did, however, ask me if she was up to date on her shots.

Though you're flying a cat down to Cali in the winter...make sure you have a good water dish for in kitty's crate - and perhaps see if you can get kitty to drink from one of those bottles like you get for hamsters. It is going to be very hot on the Tarmac and you'll want to keep the cat hydrated. Not only can flying be stressful but...

In this weather not in winter. Seriously auto correct how did you even do that???

(Or perhaps heat is also frying MY brain)

Thank you too!:-)

Yeah...I've been able to find lots on dogs (definitely need a rabies shot!) but cats ...harder to find the info!

Actually one of the reasons we're in this last-minute mess is that cats can't be flown under carriage right now... most airlines won't allow it b/c of extreme heat, so we have to take our cats (we have two) in the cabin. Thankfully, it's only a 2 1/2 hour flight.

I brought my cat with me from Canada to Florida on the plane but in the Cabin. For flying in the cabin I needed to have her health certificate from the vet that says she had a check up within 30 days. She also needed her up to date shots. FVRCP and rabies. At POE at Pearson in Toronto, they just asked for her paperwork and that's it.

I didn't want to be held up for anything because it was a stressful situation as is. You should get it done either way.

There's also this,

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/56/~/pets---cats

Aaaaand, thank you to you too, lol:-)

It's kind of ridiculous how there's not just an easy reference guide for this stuff, lol:-)

The country says one thing, each state says another and even the individual airlines can have their own rules...GAH.

After being on hold forever with the airline (two hours!) we've sorted out they don't require anything... and it seems neither does California for cats...

BUT, we are in a rush since our moving company just changed our move dates to a WEEK early, so we are scrambling to get the cats down before us since travelling with two cats and a toddler just doesn't seem like fun:-) So, we are going to chance it without the rabies shot or even a letter since vet can't fit us in this weekend...Sigh.

I shall post again on Monday if the first of our cats makes it through!:-)

[Flames9_RN 358]

ur cat will be fine in cabin....make sure u book as early as u can...as they only allow so many pets in cabin....We have taken our cats to nicaragua...and now Ecuador......ensure u have the right size(and approved) cat carrier, supplies in case they pee/pooh in the cat carrier--such as wipes and absorbent pad for the cat carrier.....And they wont let ur cat fly if u have sedated them. The biggest pain in our butts when moving to these countries have been with the animals. As it required vet checks..then overnighted to the head USDA vet of our State..all had to be done within 10 days of travel.......but coming from canada to the USA, is probably much more simple---I can't say for sure as the only time I did it--was driving and was just visiting. I know when my wife flew from BWI to Quito, American Airlines had a whole pet checklist. Coming back into the USA, all they have cared about is the Rabies shot. best of luck

Edited July 19, 2014 by Flames9_RN

[ricky and elaine 8]

As a note to others I took my dog on Westjet...they were fabulous. He is an 80 lb dog. He flew in a compartment under the pilot in a large dog container. The dimensions were important. It was $50!!!(I was on the plane) There was no fuss no muss. They asked for his rabies certificate..thats it. No vet check. The only thing was they only fly animals to the southeast in a small window of dates because of heat. It was painless! And he was fine! A very helpful site for products and requirements was dryfur.com

[Flames9_RN 358]

for others...if your flying with an animal that has to go down below...ensure you have the correct crate size ( you buy it and can't be to big or small) and United uses a program called petsafe......and on most United planes they have a special area that of course is pressure controlled..but also temperature controlled, so they can fly animals all year round...where other airlines can't. USDA has on their websites what all the requirements are for certain countries. Not only certain vaccinations are required, but they have to be within a certain timeframe....And of course some countries the animals have to quarantined.....back to the OP,lol

Interesting site..dryfur.com..ty cage size is important...too big, too small, and the dog wot be flying.....have known tat too happen....if one isn't sure, best to do a trail run to the airport. I fly to Ecuador in a month or so with our 2 dogs, good times,lol Only had 1 dog flying to Nicaragua. petsafe was excellent.

Edited July 19, 2014 by Flames9_RN

[keysjangle 145]

We flew on Alaska from Hawaii to California with our cats in cabin. They don't need a thing if they're going to fly in cabin, just a soft-sided carrier. We doped them up with calming treats from PetsMart (GNC brand, 3 treats each for ~12.5lb cats)

.... I thought they were dead they were so zonked out for like six hours, and one of them is suuuuuper anxious/talkative. She was the first to start "coming to" as we began the descent into CA.

But yeah, I know the FAA or whichever governing body has rules only if they're in cargo - health certificates from the vet that is no more than 10 days old at the time of flight, sometimes there are seasonal issues depending on if that plane has temperature controlled cargo areas, proper sturdy crate, etc.

[Flames9_RN 358]

As a seasoned traveler with animals in cabin and underneath.....highly recommend u do not drug them in any manner. Simple reason being, if they find out they have been drugged in any manner, they can refuse your pet entry onto the plane. Yes the chances are extremely slim they will even check the cat--they have never even looked at our cats that have flown in-cabin. As well animals can act differently to drugs airborne than they do on the ground.

The Rules also apply to animals in cabin---not just in cargo.....Just that the rules between Canada/USA tend not to be followed. Only shot they seem to care about is Rabies and often don't even look for that.

[simistar 2]

Thanks for all the info everyone! My husband will be flying (attempting to:-)) with one of our cats Monday... I shall let everyone know how it goes:-)

[Flames9_RN 358]

I'm sure it will go well.....best of luck

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

for others...if your flying with an animal that has to go down below...ensure you have the correct crate size ( you buy it and can't be to big or small) and United uses a program called petsafe......and on most United planes they have a special area that of course is pressure controlled..but also temperature controlled, so they can fly animals all year round...where other airlines can't. USDA has on their websites what all the requirements are for certain countries. Not only certain vaccinations are required, but they have to be within a certain timeframe....And of course some countries the animals have to quarantined.....back to the OP,lol

Interesting site..dryfur.com..ty cage size is important...too big, too small, and the dog wot be flying.....have known tat too happen....if one isn't sure, best to do a trail run to the airport. I fly to Ecuador in a month or so with our 2 dogs, good times,lol Only had 1 dog flying to Nicaragua. petsafe was excellent.

If you are going to use Petsafe, I urge you to look online for airport-specific reviews. In the past 2-3 years, multiple animals have died whilst under 'Petsafe' care while on the tarmac due to some airports not following United's Petsafe program by not bringing the animals out in an air conditioned van but just dropping them off via baggage cart and leaving them in the 'shade' provided by the airplane's wing. Owners have been unable to get vet bills reimbursed (in at least one case, the animal was alive but in critical condition when they arrived at their destination and later had to be put to sleep) without signing a nondisclosure agreement that would prevent them from reviewing the service in any way.

If it is possible, no matter the time of year, I urge ALL flyers to fly their animals in the cabin rather than taking the risk with baggage handlers. If you are flying with an animal too large to go in the cabin, I urge you to call each and every airport you have a connecting flight with and stay on the phone until you get a chance to talk to the person in charge of pet transport at each stage of the trip. I also urge people to invest in digital thermometers with a 'min/max' record for their animal's crate, stuck to the inside, to record if the temperature becomes unbearably hot for the sake of later taking legal action should something happen.

Edited July 20, 2014 by Not a Tailor

[Flames9_RN 358]

If you are going to use Petsafe, I urge you to look online for airport-specific reviews. In the past 2-3 years, multiple animals have died whilst under 'Petsafe' care while on the tarmac due to some airports not following United's Petsafe program by not bringing the animals out in an air conditioned van but just dropping them off via baggage cart and leaving them in the 'shade' provided by the airplane's wing. Owners have been unable to get vet bills reimbursed (in at least one case, the animal was alive but in critical condition when they arrived at their destination and later had to be put to sleep) without signing a nondisclosure agreement that would prevent them from reviewing the service in any way.

If it is possible, no matter the time of year, I urge ALL flyers to fly their animals in the cabin rather than taking the risk with baggage handlers. If you are flying with an animal too large to go in the cabin, I urge you to call each and every airport you have a connecting flight with and stay on the phone until you get a chance to talk to the person in charge of pet transport at each stage of the trip. I also urge people to invest in digital thermometers with a 'min/max' record for their animal's crate, stuck to the inside, to record if the temperature becomes unbearably hot for the sake of later taking legal action should something happen.

We HAVE used petsafe going to Nicaragua....and I used them again on the way back to USA. On the way there petafe handled everything..They were the last items loaded--we saw that as the Petsafe van dropped them off...and they were the 1st items off in houston..as we saw the petsafe van pick them up. They were excellent. I will be using them again when I head to Ecuador. And our animals are like our kids, so they are very well taken care of. Our cats fly in cabin.

[JIJourney 96]

Good luck.

Does the cat need to have a seat reserved? If not I think you will be fine. USA is very animal friendly. Just get the rabies shots just in case and your cat will be welcomed. No problem