Is there any special paperwork to take your dog across the border to Canada?

Answer 1

Fromthe Canadian Food Inspection agency web site, it appears you need to make sure that your dog does not have rabies, bringing paperwork to prove such will make your crossing the border that much easier.


Domestic or pet dogs can enter Canada for any period of time (permanent stays, temporary visits, or in transit visits) without quarantine from any country. Because rabies is a federally regulated disease affecting dogs, Canada's import requirements take into consideration the rabies status of the country of export.

Dog owners must not import pit bulls into the Province of Ontario in contravention of that province's ban. For information on Ontario's pit bull ban effective August 29, 2005, visit the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General's Web site.

Answer 2

According to the legislation, all you NEED is a valid proof of rabies vaccination.

And watch for "breed bans" in certain parts of the country - like Ontario's ban on pit bulls (and associated/derivative breeds).

But what you SHOULD carry is proof that ALL the animal's vaccines are current - including (but not necessarily limited to) leptovirus, parvovirus, bordatella, and rabies. If your animal isn't spayed or neutered, then bring along documentation as to why you're traveling with a sexually active animal. If, on the other hand, the animal has been spayed/neutered, bring documented evidence of this instead.

In most cases, "current" means within the last six calendar months ... which in turn means you have about six months before a repeat vaccination or a booster is required.

All these are required for you to bring your animal back into the US, for instance ... so you may as well take them to Canada when you go.

Answer 3

You need a rabies vaccination certificate, proving vaccination has been done in the last 3 years.

The certificate must clearly describe your dog, so ask your vet to write breed, sex, colour etc.