Tips for Driving From the US to Canada With a Cat

More and more cats are traveling with their families, and that’s great! If you’re planning a road trip from the US to Canada with your cat, we’ve gathered all the information you need to cross the border together.

The idea of ​​driving with cats to Canada can make you nervous. But really no need to worry! As long as you’re prepared, there’s not much that can derail your plans. To make your next trip across the border a breeze, we’re happy to share these one cat driving tips to Canada.

Like most countries, Canada places certain restrictions on travelers traveling with pets. If you are driving to Canada with a cat, you will need the appropriate documentation at the port of entry to meet the import requirements. If you do not have the correct documents, you may experience border delays. So it’s worth the effort to prepare in advance!

Driving with cats to Canada

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency sets out policies for traveling with pets to Canada. Their staff visually check and can refused entry, confiscation, or prison an animal if:

• it’s undeclared, including family pets
• you do not have the required license/certificate
• it looks sick or infested with pests
• animals are transported in an inhumane manner and are not kept secure to avoid harm and injury

Assuming you declare your cat, it seems healthy and you Transport it safelyThe age of the cat will determine what documents you will need to show to border agents.

Kittens under three months old

If you are traveling with a kitten under the age of three months, the only documentation you will need is proof of age. This could be a form from a rescue team, shelter or breeder indicating when your kitten was born. Or it could be a letter dated from the vet with the kitten’s approximate age.

Cat is more than three months old

Everyone traveling to Canada with a cat from the United States that is at least three months old needs to provide a rabies vaccination certificate for their cat.

The certificate must meet the following requirements:

• written in English or French
• Issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian
• identify the animal (age, breed, sex, color/mark, weight and number of microchips/tattoos if applicable)
• say the animal is vaccinated against rabies
• Indicate date of vaccination
• indicate the trade name and serial number of the licensed vaccine
• specify the duration of immunity (otherwise, it will be considered valid for 1 year from the date of vaccination)
• include the name and signature of the licensed veterinarian and the date of signing

Canada does not require a waiting period for vaccination. So your pet is welcome into Canada as soon as they are vaccinated against rabies. In addition, Canada does not impose a quarantine on pets coming from any country.

READ MORE Tips and tricks for road trips with cats

Free rabies vaccination

Some cats have health conditions that make rabies vaccination dangerous. In that situation, the owner may waive the rabies certificate requirement.

All written applications are sent to National Center for Rights Must be accompanied by a letter from your veterinarian stating a specific condition that precludes vaccination of your cat. You must also include the results of the Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titre Test that meet the minimum titer requirements.

Once approved, your pet will still need to be examined by a CFIA veterinarian when you arrive in Canada. It is your responsibility to arrange for inspection at your port of entry before you cross the border.

What if you don’t have a valid rabies certificate for your cat?

Arriving at the Canadian border without a rabies certificate that meets the above requirements or an approved waiver will complicate your trip to Canada.

First, you will need to have your cat vaccinated against rabies within two weeks of arrival. You will then have to bring your vaccination records to a Office of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

In addition to the cost of vaccinations, you will have to pay an administrative fee for each animal. These fees are payable when you cross the border.

Do cats need a health certificate to enter Canada?

A health certificate is usually not required when traveling with cats to Canada. However it is Feasibility for border agents to refer any animals crossing the border for secondary inspection. But as long as your cat seems healthy, this is unlikely.

If the cat seems ill, the vet may ask your veterinarian to issue a health certificate. Their primary concern is the condition of the cat being non-contagious.

We recommend that anyone traveling with a cat whose health may be questionable should bring a veterinarian’s health certificate when driving to Canada. It’s an extra hoop to jump over, but it’s easier than delaying the border!

Cats traveling by air to Canada must meet the requirements of the airline they will be traveling to. And most carriers require a current health certificate for all traveling pets.

READ MORE US Airlines Pet Policy

Do cats need microchips or tattoos to enter Canada?

Canada does not require microchip identification or tattoos for traveling pet cats.

Can you bring pet food and treats into Canada?

Travelers traveling with cats to Canada from the United States may bring a total of 20 kg (44 pounds) of pet food and treats for their personal use. Food and snacks must meet all of the following requirements:

• Pet food and treats must be purchased in the United States, commercially packaged and not open yet
• All food and pet food must be owned by the traveler at the time of entry
• Animals that eat the products must be accompanied by the visitor at the time of entry
• The product should only be fed to animals traveling with travelers to Canada

For longer trips, consider bringing dehydrated pet food. Honest kitchen Cat food is human food and great for traveling because a 4-pound box makes 12 pounds of food!

Required documents when the same cat returns to the US

Cats do not need a health certificate or proof of rabies vaccination when traveling from Canada to the US. However, some states require cats to be vaccinated against rabies. For that reason, you should check with state and local health authorities at your port of entry.

When you cross the border into the United States, your cat will be visually inspected. Cats showing signs of illness may require further examination by a licensed veterinarian at the owner’s expense at the port of entry.

Any cat showing signs of a contagious disease may be denied entry.

Traveling with other types of pets to Canada?

Learn more here >> Traveling with a pet to Canada from the US – Border Tips

Cats are great companions and love to be part of your travel plans. We hope your cross-border trip to Canada goes smoothly for all of your family members!

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