bringing dog with you at poe

[suzique3 0]

ok I looked and looked and did not see any reviews for POE with their dog. Has anyone done this before, I really do not have a choice in the matter, since you are not able to return I have to bring him on the same day. I do have all his paper work showing his shots up to date. But just wondering others experiences, since it is a bit of timely process at the ambassador bridge, (especially since we are probably going to be crossing on a saturday afternoon. I know not the best time to do that, but i am limited on dates.

if anyone has some experience in this please share.

thank you

[Sweetcheeksss 91]

Good luck with your entry - I don't have any experience to add but I have crossed the border with my dog several times, her shots have all been up to date but no one's ever asked to see them lol.

Anyway, I'll be interested to see other peoples posts cause I'm pretty interested in knowing too!

[FireKari 4]

We were told that for pets they had to be up to date on shots etc, and a very recent note from vet saying they are in good general health.

They may inspect the pet to confirm that they 'look' healthy.

Keep in mind that you CANNOT bring pet food with you when you cross.

You will have to buy pet food once you get on the other side.

This is what we were told when we called.

[trailmix 77]

From the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website:

"Dogs must also be free of evidence of diseases that could be communicable to humans.

- A general certificate of health is not required by CDC for entry of pet dogs into the United States, although some airlines or states may require them.

- Dogs must have a certificate showing they have been vaccinated against rabies greater than or equal to 30 days prior to entry into the United States. This certificate should identify the dog, show the date of vaccination, the date it expires (there are one-year and three-year vaccinations), and be signed by a licensed veterinarian. If the certificate does not have an expiration date, CBP will accept it as long as the dog was vaccinated 12 months or less before coming to the United States. Dogs coming from rabies free countries do not have to be vaccinated".

(for cats there are no shots required for entering the U.S.)

[Kathryn41 3,205]

As Trailmix posted, your dog just needs proof of his rabies vaccination and to look like he is healthy when he crosses the border with you. If the dog looks unwell, the border authorities have the right to request a veterinarian to come to the border and inspect the dog, but if he is healthy appearing then there is no need for veterinarian examination.

I moved to the US with my 6 cats in the van with us. No one at the border was interested in the cats - or in any of the possessions I brought with me, in fact. You should be fine. You will probably have to leave the dog in the vehicle while you go in the process the K-1 though.

[suzique3 0]

oh thank you everyone, I am used to crossing with my dog when I was allowed to go over. (he does not travel that well) I have him a cage when I travel due the fact that he has anxiety issues (this is not a very pleasant experience) I have to sedate him as well, so he looks extremely drowsy. I was just worried about the length of time I will be spending in secondary because he will be in the van and he barks continuously when I stop.

I have his shots up to date (and actaully have his tag for monroe already on him) and I have a document showing the up to date vaccinations and the rabies vaccination as well.

Thank you everyone for the input, anything to try and ease the stress of this next step.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

If you dog has real problems travelling you might want to look into getting this product for the trip: http://www.amazon.co...l/dp/B00076NS1U I use the version available for cats and it does help reduce stress. The DAP spray also comes in a collar variation which might be worth considering. It doesn't work for all dogs, but with the ones it does work for, it seems to be very successful.

Edited June 27, 2010 by Kathryn41

[suzique3 0]

If you dog has real problems travelling you might want to look into getting this product for the trip: http://www.amazon.co...l/dp/B00076NS1U I use the version available for cats and it does help reduce stress. The DAP spray also comes in a collar variation which might be worth considering. It doesn't work for all dogs, but with the ones it does work for, it seems to be very successful.

thank you very much, Iwill look into it, right now anything, Sammy does not do well in the car and I am so worried about what he will be like sitting there for a long period of time.

thank you again,

[trailmix 77]

thank you very much, Iwill look into it, right now anything, Sammy does not do well in the car and I am so worried about what he will be like sitting there for a long period of time.

thank you again,

Yes, we use the cat equivalent of this too, if it works on your dog (you can try it out before you actually travel) you will be amazed. So much better than sedating and if you are staying in a hotel and when you get to your new home it is really helpful to use then as well

[FireKari 4]

From the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website:

"Dogs must also be free of evidence of diseases that could be communicable to humans.

- A general certificate of health is not required by CDC for entry of pet dogs into the United States, although some airlines or states may require them.

- Dogs must have a certificate showing they have been vaccinated against rabies greater than or equal to 30 days prior to entry into the United States. This certificate should identify the dog, show the date of vaccination, the date it expires (there are one-year and three-year vaccinations), and be signed by a licensed veterinarian. If the certificate does not have an expiration date, CBP will accept it as long as the dog was vaccinated 12 months or less before coming to the United States. Dogs coming from rabies free countries do not have to be vaccinated".

(for cats there are no shots required for entering the U.S.)

Detroit customs told us they want the note when we called inquiring about pets.

[shawna7 4]

I POE'de with my dog and 2 cats..I had all their paperwork(including good health certificates for each one) I left them all in the car when I went into activate my visa. No body asked about the pets..didn't ask to see their paperwork or anything...oh and I used the product mentioned above..its amazing! My Border collie at the time was 14(shes 16 1/2 now!)shes a very nervous traveller..we were in the car for 17 hours and it helped alot!

[Lise+Michael 13]

Good Morning!

I bring my dog Nemo every time I travel to the States by car. I am lucky that Michael is only 5 hours away so we get to see each other often. Sometimes Michael brings Nemo back with him without me. Only once did the border guard look at her papers (which are current). She has her tags on her collar. The only thing is that Nemo gets excited when it is our turn and expects a treat from the border guard, whenever we drive through Tim Hortons they give her a treat!

Have a great day!

[Kimbear 53]

we crossed by car with the dogs at detroit / ambassador bridge. CBP did'nt care about anything , just looked at the rabies certificate and that was it. BTW Canadian certificates from vets are alot more detailed than the ones i now get in chicago. they have more info like the name of the actual rabies vacine and how much was administered. with the actual name signature and id of the doctor. the ones i get now are a small 2x2 paper with literally no info other that that they got a rabies shot and a city tag at the same time..kinda craptastic if you ask me.

[OBX 51]

I POE'd with my dog at the Peace Bridge. I put him into his crate in the back of my van while I was being processed, he was barking up a storm and not a single official asked me about him! I did have his vaccination history just in case. I brought my two cats down a month later (after my house was sold and I was bringing the last of my things)....again no one even looked at them.

Th first time I was asked about the dog's rabies vaccination was last weekend coming into Canada.

[SupportGeek 21]

Keep in mind that you CANNOT bring pet food with you when you cross.

You will have to buy pet food once you get on the other side.

This is what we were told when we called.

This is incorrect.

The only thing they are concerned with is if the food you bring has beef and beef byproducts in it, due to the whole overreaction over mad cow disease found in Alberta a few years back. After the Canadian investigators traced the sick cows back to Montana originally, the US conveniently ignored this fact. heh

Anyhow, I took my dogs across a couple times, the ONLY thing they cared about with the food was beef content, nothing else, if it had any, I would have had to ditch it. (was lamb and chicken yay)