Flying to Canada with our dog
Oct 12th 2018, 1:49 pm
#1
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Joined: Aug 2018
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Flying to Canada with our dog
first time poster but long time reader on the forums. The day we move to Canada is nearly here. We fly next Wednesday to Ottawa.
However we we are having a last minute panic about taking our dog who is due to be on our flight via Air Canada. He’s not had a rabies vaccination (or a pet passport) as I had read it wasn’t required if we had a veterinary certificate before we fly, as on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.
So we went to the vets today to get the certificate and he didn’t seem to understand what was required and told us to speak to the Animal and Food agency/DEFRA.
We spoke to them and filled in a form in relation to our dog, and the UK being rabies free and then we should get this back and take it back to our vet on Monday.
My question is what certificate does the vet need to do? Is it just a fitness to fly certificate?
Any advice or experiences would be appreciated.
thanks,
Paul
However we we are having a last minute panic about taking our dog who is due to be on our flight via Air Canada. He’s not had a rabies vaccination (or a pet passport) as I had read it wasn’t required if we had a veterinary certificate before we fly, as on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.
So we went to the vets today to get the certificate and he didn’t seem to understand what was required and told us to speak to the Animal and Food agency/DEFRA.
We spoke to them and filled in a form in relation to our dog, and the UK being rabies free and then we should get this back and take it back to our vet on Monday.
My question is what certificate does the vet need to do? Is it just a fitness to fly certificate?
Any advice or experiences would be appreciated.
thanks,
Paul
Oct 12th 2018, 4:20 pm
#2
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Flying to Canada with our dog
first time poster but long time reader on the forums. The day we move to Canada is nearly here. We fly next Wednesday to Ottawa.
However we we are having a last minute panic about taking our dog who is due to be on our flight via Air Canada. He’s not had a rabies vaccination (or a pet passport) as I had read it wasn’t required if we had a veterinary certificate before we fly, as on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.
So we went to the vets today to get the certificate and he didn’t seem to understand what was required and told us to speak to the Animal and Food agency/DEFRA.
We spoke to them and filled in a form in relation to our dog, and the UK being rabies free and then we should get this back and take it back to our vet on Monday.
My question is what certificate does the vet need to do? Is it just a fitness to fly certificate?
Any advice or experiences would be appreciated.
thanks,
Paul
However we we are having a last minute panic about taking our dog who is due to be on our flight via Air Canada. He’s not had a rabies vaccination (or a pet passport) as I had read it wasn’t required if we had a veterinary certificate before we fly, as on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.
So we went to the vets today to get the certificate and he didn’t seem to understand what was required and told us to speak to the Animal and Food agency/DEFRA.
We spoke to them and filled in a form in relation to our dog, and the UK being rabies free and then we should get this back and take it back to our vet on Monday.
My question is what certificate does the vet need to do? Is it just a fitness to fly certificate?
Any advice or experiences would be appreciated.
thanks,
Paul
Hello and welcome to BE!
You'll find the wiki of help in this:
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Transporting_Pets-Canada
There's a few threads floating around too if you do a search..
There's most of the info you need here too - use the wizard to see exactly what documentation you need: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/.../1331876307796 and https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-v...imaux-eng.html
From Air Canada website: Dogs and cats travelling as cargo must be accompanied by a valid health certificate (referencing the animal's age, sex, breed, and an attestation of the animal's overall health) issued by a licenced veterinarian (i.e. a fit-to-fly certificate)
This might help too
https://www.animalairlines.co.uk/def...h-certificate/Do make sure your dog is included on your 'goods to follow' list!
Last edited by Siouxie; Oct 12th 2018 at 4:50 pm.
Oct 12th 2018, 4:29 pm
#3
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Flying to Canada with our dog
first time poster but long time reader on the forums. The day we move to Canada is nearly here. We fly next Wednesday to Ottawa.
However we we are having a last minute panic about taking our dog who is due to be on our flight via Air Canada. He’s not had a rabies vaccination (or a pet passport) as I had read it wasn’t required if we had a veterinary certificate before we fly, as on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.
So we went to the vets today to get the certificate and he didn’t seem to understand what was required and told us to speak to the Animal and Food agency/DEFRA.
We spoke to them and filled in a form in relation to our dog, and the UK being rabies free and then we should get this back and take it back to our vet on Monday.
My question is what certificate does the vet need to do? Is it just a fitness to fly certificate?
Any advice or experiences would be appreciated.
thanks,
Paul
However we we are having a last minute panic about taking our dog who is due to be on our flight via Air Canada. He’s not had a rabies vaccination (or a pet passport) as I had read it wasn’t required if we had a veterinary certificate before we fly, as on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.
So we went to the vets today to get the certificate and he didn’t seem to understand what was required and told us to speak to the Animal and Food agency/DEFRA.
We spoke to them and filled in a form in relation to our dog, and the UK being rabies free and then we should get this back and take it back to our vet on Monday.
My question is what certificate does the vet need to do? Is it just a fitness to fly certificate?
Any advice or experiences would be appreciated.
thanks,
Paul
Oct 13th 2018, 2:03 am
#4
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2016
Location: St Catharines, Ontario From Bournemouth UK
Posts: 417
Re: Flying to Canada with our dog
We flew with 3 dogs to Toronto from the UK earlier this year. Definitely recommend getting rabies jab done before you fly. You will find more advice in the diary of our move documented here.
https://britishexpats.com/forum/canada-56/diary-our-move-canada-909254/page2/.
https://britishexpats.com/forum/canada-56/diary-our-move-canada-909254/page2/.
Last edited by glendem4; Oct 13th 2018 at 2:05 am.
Oct 13th 2018, 6:33 pm
#5
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Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 12
Re: Flying to Canada with our dog
Well unfortunately we’ve missed the boat on the rabies vaccination as i understand it takes 3 weeks and multiple doses so wouldn’t be valid by this Wednesday. We have completed a form for Defra which I believe they are sharing with the vet on Monday but I’m not sure if this will be enough if the vet does a fit to fly certificate.
The bit that confuses me is this part on the Canadian animal and plant website which implies if you don’t have any documentation then you would just have to get the dog vaccinated in your first few weeks in Canada. So our dog could fly with us anyway?? Has anybody done this? Just paranoid we would turn up at the airport and not be allowed to board him?
”Animals That Do Not Meet Canadian Rabies Import Requirements
If a dog does not meet the Canadian rabies import requirements, owners will be required, at their own expense, to:
have the animal vaccinated against rabies within a specified period of time; and
provide the vaccination record to a Canadian Food Inspection Agency office.
Please note that the option of rabies vaccination upon arrival is not available for dogs less than 8 months of age imported under the commercial category.”
The bit that confuses me is this part on the Canadian animal and plant website which implies if you don’t have any documentation then you would just have to get the dog vaccinated in your first few weeks in Canada. So our dog could fly with us anyway?? Has anybody done this? Just paranoid we would turn up at the airport and not be allowed to board him?
”Animals That Do Not Meet Canadian Rabies Import Requirements
If a dog does not meet the Canadian rabies import requirements, owners will be required, at their own expense, to:
have the animal vaccinated against rabies within a specified period of time; and
provide the vaccination record to a Canadian Food Inspection Agency office.
Please note that the option of rabies vaccination upon arrival is not available for dogs less than 8 months of age imported under the commercial category.”
Oct 13th 2018, 7:27 pm
#6
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Flying to Canada with our dog
Well unfortunately we’ve missed the boat on the rabies vaccination as i understand it takes 3 weeks and multiple doses so wouldn’t be valid by this Wednesday. We have completed a form for Defra which I believe they are sharing with the vet on Monday but I’m not sure if this will be enough if the vet does a fit to fly certificate.
The bit that confuses me is this part on the Canadian animal and plant website which implies if you don’t have any documentation then you would just have to get the dog vaccinated in your first few weeks in Canada. So our dog could fly with us anyway?? Has anybody done this? Just paranoid we would turn up at the airport and not be allowed to board him?
”Animals That Do Not Meet Canadian Rabies Import Requirements
If a dog does not meet the Canadian rabies import requirements, owners will be required, at their own expense, to:
have the animal vaccinated against rabies within a specified period of time; and
provide the vaccination record to a Canadian Food Inspection Agency office.
Please note that the option of rabies vaccination upon arrival is not available for dogs less than 8 months of age imported under the commercial category.”
The bit that confuses me is this part on the Canadian animal and plant website which implies if you don’t have any documentation then you would just have to get the dog vaccinated in your first few weeks in Canada. So our dog could fly with us anyway?? Has anybody done this? Just paranoid we would turn up at the airport and not be allowed to board him?
”Animals That Do Not Meet Canadian Rabies Import Requirements
If a dog does not meet the Canadian rabies import requirements, owners will be required, at their own expense, to:
have the animal vaccinated against rabies within a specified period of time; and
provide the vaccination record to a Canadian Food Inspection Agency office.
Please note that the option of rabies vaccination upon arrival is not available for dogs less than 8 months of age imported under the commercial category.”
However, if you were hoping to board your dog - to put it in kennels - on arrival, then be aware no boarding kennels are likely to accept your dog without proof of rabies vaccine and other vaccines.. without a certificate confirming the inoculations (there's normally a list on the boarding kennel website or required ones), you have little to no chance of leaving your dog with them...
Last edited by Siouxie; Oct 13th 2018 at 7:32 pm.
Oct 13th 2018, 7:43 pm
#7
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Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 12
Re: Flying to Canada with our dog
That’s great thanks. We aren’t planning on using a kennel on arrival so sounds like we should be ok and then get him vaccinated in the first few weeks.
Oct 13th 2018, 9:38 pm
#8
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Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 19,850
Re: Flying to Canada with our dog
Dogs imported into Canada will have a documentary inspection by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to ensure the animal's rabies vaccination is current and the animal description matches. The CBSA will also visually inspect the animal to ensure that there are no visible signs of illness. The CBSA may contact the CFIAwhen veterinary guidance or expertise is needed.
The current fees for this inspection are:
As indicated above, in certain cases, a shipment will need to be inspected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Additional fees for the cost of the CFIA inspection will apply.
All fees must be paid at the time of inspection. Please note that domestic dogs originating from the United States are subject to an import inspection but are exempt from inspection fees.
The current fees for this inspection are:
- $30.00 + tax for the first animal in the shipment; and
- $5.00 + tax for each additional animal in the shipment.
- $55.00 + tax for the first animal in the shipment; and
- $30.00 + tax for each additional animal.
As indicated above, in certain cases, a shipment will need to be inspected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Additional fees for the cost of the CFIA inspection will apply.
All fees must be paid at the time of inspection. Please note that domestic dogs originating from the United States are subject to an import inspection but are exempt from inspection fees.
Oct 13th 2018, 9:47 pm
#9
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Re: Flying to Canada with our dog
Yes that’s what I read, so around $100 for inspections is a small price to pay compared to having our dog be shipped later by a private company.
Oct 13th 2018, 9:55 pm
#10
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Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 19,850
Oct 14th 2018, 12:39 am
#11
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Flying to Canada with our dog
Just don't forget to add your dog to your 'goods accompanying / to follow' list! (you've already got that sorted, I presume?
Last edited by Siouxie; Oct 14th 2018 at 12:41 am.
Oct 14th 2018, 6:07 am
#12
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Re: Flying to Canada with our dog
Yes the packing company is doing that on Monday & Tuesday.
Last edited by Paul_fromYork; Oct 14th 2018 at 6:08 am. Reason: Emoji
Oct 14th 2018, 2:32 pm
#13
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 19
Re: Flying to Canada with our dog
Why don't you still have the rabies vaccine before you leave. Saves you from having to look urgently for a vet when you land.
My cockapoo had the Nobivac Rabies Vaccine (please note that I do not work for MSD) in April and I was told by my vet that it takes 2-3 weeks to get into her system and said that she is covered for 3 years. However the vet recommended that we check Ontario’s laws regarding rabies as she is more that sure that our Cockapoo will have to be vaccinated annually.
Is your dog very young because sometimes young dogs need a booster.
My cockapoo had the Nobivac Rabies Vaccine (please note that I do not work for MSD) in April and I was told by my vet that it takes 2-3 weeks to get into her system and said that she is covered for 3 years. However the vet recommended that we check Ontario’s laws regarding rabies as she is more that sure that our Cockapoo will have to be vaccinated annually.
Is your dog very young because sometimes young dogs need a booster.
Oct 14th 2018, 2:45 pm
#14
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Flying to Canada with our dog
??
How is the packing company writing YOUR goods to follow / goods accompanying forms / spreadsheet / documents with valuations and itemize brand name, model and serial number of electronics / photos of jewellery etc., the details of your dog (that the shipping company won't be sending) that YOU need to get stamped on arrival in Canada? You need two copies of each, with you when landing - or are you prepared for the extra time it will take for a CBSA officer to write them up for you, if you give him the shipping list? The downside of doing it that way - apart from the time factor - is that your valuation for shipping / insurance purposes isn't necessarily the value you want for importing, for insurance it's the replacement value - for GTF it's generally 2nd hand value!
You might find this of use. Preparation is of paramount importance when relocating..https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Goods...llow#Procedure
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Categ...gistics-Canada
How is the packing company writing YOUR goods to follow / goods accompanying forms / spreadsheet / documents with valuations and itemize brand name, model and serial number of electronics / photos of jewellery etc., the details of your dog (that the shipping company won't be sending) that YOU need to get stamped on arrival in Canada? You need two copies of each, with you when landing - or are you prepared for the extra time it will take for a CBSA officer to write them up for you, if you give him the shipping list? The downside of doing it that way - apart from the time factor - is that your valuation for shipping / insurance purposes isn't necessarily the value you want for importing, for insurance it's the replacement value - for GTF it's generally 2nd hand value!
You might find this of use. Preparation is of paramount importance when relocating..
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Goods...llow#Procedurehttps://britishexpats.com/wiki/Categ...gistics-Canada
Oct 14th 2018, 5:54 pm
#15
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Re: Flying to Canada with our dog
Our dog is 3 years old so could have the vaccination but would a vet do that a few days before a flight and issue a fit to fly certificate?