Rabies requirement for travel to Canada - Page 1

I want to take a couple of pups with me for a weekend in Canada. They are 4 mos. old. Do they need rabies vaccinations to enter/exit at that age? Is there a number of days prior to entry the vaccinations must be administered?

Thanks, SS

border requirements

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/import/dog_chien_3e.shtml

Last time I checked the pups must have a rabies vaccination to cross into Canada after three months old, and for a dog entering the U.S. such vaccination would have to have been given 30 days prior. Canada will allow a vaccination and not require the 30 days in between, but when you cross back, you are probably going to have trouble. You would also be wise to have all paperwork with you, including proof of vaccinations and age.

www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/prohibited_restricted.xml#Pets

• If the animal arrives at a Canadian port of entry and does not meet the requirements above, an inspector will order the owner-at the owner's expense-to have the animals vaccinated against rabies within a specified period of time and to provide the vaccination certificate to an inspector.
• Rabies vaccination or certification is not required if the dogs are less than three (3) months of age.

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/import/dog_chien_3e.shtml

Shelly, if you're driving across the border, don't be suprised if the customs agent doesn't even bother to ask you for papers. I've crossed the border with dogs or cats 3 or 4 times, and have yet to be asked, although the agent knew there were animals in the vehicle!

But just wait, the ONE time you don't have the necessary paperwork, you'll run into someone who wants to do everything 'by the book'! 

I have been driving back and forth to Canada for the better part of the last two decades.  The Canadians NEVER asked for the rabies certificate (which I keep in the car)--NOT ONCE!!  The American border guards have asked exactly twice.  I am talking  hundreds  of crossings (before the gas bust, i would drive up and back twice for a weekend event, rather than staying in Canada overnight)

But, Sunsilver is right: the one time I don't have those certificates, I will hit a guard demanding it on both sides of the border!!   Just make sure that you do have the certifications. 

The Americans want to see that the vet issued it within 30 days. 

Thanks all. I will have all necessary documents handy, just in case. 

SS

I live near the border and have crossed countless times with dogs.  Since there is usually a dog in my vehicle and I often cross the line for a number of reasons, I keep the paperwork in the van for all my dogs. I have occassionally been asked, but often I'm not asked for the paperwork.  I have however had the paperwork well scrutinized when it was requested, actually have had them look at the dog to see if it seemed to match the description on the certificate, i.e., the age, sex and colour.  But that level of inspection is unusual.  If you are caught without the appropriate certification, you will simply be turned back.

However, if you are found to be without the appropriate documentation, and if you are turned back, they may just put out a "Watch For" on your vehicle and on subsequent visits your vehicle will be removed out of line for further inspection, regardless of the border crossing location and regardless if there are animals in the vehicle or not.  This is an unnecessary inconvenience.  It has happened to people I know so I know this to be true.