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If you are travelling with a pet or planning to import an animal to Canada, you will need the right paperwork at the border to meet Canadas import requirements. If you dont, you risk experiencing delays at the border and your animal may not be allowed into Canada.
Canada has specific import requirements in place to avoid introducing animal diseases to protect its people, plants and animals.
Traveling with your pets from the United States to Canada is easy! Learn everything you’ll need to know for a pet friendly road trip across the border.
The idea of traveling with your pets to Canada might make you nervous. But there’s really no need to worry! We’ve traveled across the border with our dogs many times over the years, and we’re happy to share the tricks we’ve learned.
Covid-19 Update: On August 9, 2021, American citizens and permanent residents of the United States currently residing in and arriving from the United States, and who qualify for the fully vaccinated traveler exemption, were once again allowed to visit Canada for discretionary travel.
To meet the fully vaccinated traveler exemption you must have received your final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before you cross the border. And proof of your vaccination must be uploaded to ArriveCAN. In addition, you must provide an approved negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of your planned entry into Canada, and cannot have any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. Click to learn more about Canada’s COVID-19 requirements.
Click to learn about traveling to Canada with children or dependents who are not fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
United States citizens returning to the U.S. via land border crossings do not need to provide negative COVID-19 test results at the border or quarantine once they return home. The CDC does recommend that they get a COVID-19 test three to five days after their return.
Health Certificate When Entering the United States
Like in Canada, if your pet is healthy he won’t need a health certificate to come into the U.S. However, if there could be any question about your pet’s health, we recommend getting a health certificate from a veterinarian that states his condition is not contagious.
Rules about bringing pets into Canada | What’s the Deal?
Traveling to Canada with a dog from the United States is easy peasy lemon squeezy as far as border crossings go. We’ve been several times with Sora, across three different borders (two in WA and one in Idaho) and have made it through without issue each time.
A bit of planning is necessary prior to departure, so we have outlined everything you need to know in order to successfully take your dog across the Canadian border by car.