DID YOU KNOW - Crossing the border with your pet? Know the rules
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Crossing the border with your pet? Know the rules
By Dee McClure, GLCC Director and Port Captain
Many cruisers are also dog and/or cat "parents". Animals typically love to be on the water as much or more than their owners. Just realize that if you’re bringing pets with you while crossing the border between the US and Canada, your dog needs proper documentation, too.
Here’s an update for GLCC members on the current requirements for bringing pets (dogs and cats) into the United States and into Canada.
Entering Canada:
For dogs older than 8 months, you will need a valid rabies vaccination certificate.
For domestic cats older than 3 months, you’ll need a valid rabies vaccination certificate or a veterinary certificate.
Of course, all pets must be healthy. Note also the companion article on International Boating relating to guidance on pet food entering Canada (link: https://www.glcclub.com/americans-heading-canada-need-know-rules).
Entering (or returning to the) United States:
Note that pets returning to the US are subject to the same regulations as those entering for the first time.
DOGS: The following requirements are specific to dogs entering the US from Canada. As per the US Centers for Disease Control as of Aug. 1, 2024, all dogs entering the United States must:
• Appear healthy upon arrival
• Be at least six months of age
• Be microchipped, and
• Be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form online submission receipt.
The CDC regulations also note: “Additional requirements are based on where the dog has been in the last six months and whether or not the dog was vaccinated in the United States. For dogs arriving from countries with a high risk of dog rabies, they must be protected against rabies.”
Preventing infected dogs from entering the United States is a public health priority. The CDC recommends all dogs be vaccinated against dog rabies regardless of their travel habits. Since Canada requires dogs to be vaccinated for rabies, you should be all set on this!
The CDC simplified the process for meeting requirements for dogs arriving from dog rabies-free or low-risk countries such as Canada.
This means that dogs that have been only in Canada over the past six months need one form, the CDC Dog Import Form (link: https://cdc-786687.workflowcloud.com/forms/090dc543-7b2f-4538-b2c7-2919d12ecc73).
The form is free, and can be filled out now and is valid for six months.
Don’t worry. It’s simple. I completed the forms for my two pups (one dog per form) in less than 15 minutes. Once completed, a receipt is generated and emailed to you. This is the document you’ll need to show US Customs (printed form or your phone) if requested.
The CDC notes that “if the dog travels frequently between the US and Canada, the same form can be used for travel from Canada until the expiration date listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt.”
If the dog typically travels between Canada and the US but you take another trip between the US and, say, France, you will need a new CDC Dog Import Form receipt listing France as the “country of departure.”
Here’s the link with all the details: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/rabies-free-low-risk-countries.html
CATS: But, you say, you’re a cat person and your cat likes to cruise the Lakes with you. There are rules for cats, too.
The CDC requires cats appear healthy upon arrival and are subject to inspection at ports of entry. The CDC states, “Cats are not required to have proof of rabies vaccination for importation into the United States. Since Canada requires cats to be vaccinated for rabies, Fluffy will have been vaccinated. There is no CDC Cat Import Form to complete.
OTHER ANIMALS: Other requirements apply if the animals are arriving from other countries. Check out the link here: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-us/
Please don’t leave Rover or Fluffy stuck at the border. Understand and have the required documentation on board!