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Crossing the US-Canada border with your dog


For many people in Canada and the United States, their dogs are like members of their families. However, it can become quite a challenge when dog owners want to travel across borders with their canine companions by their sides. For those travelling in either direction between Canada and the United States, the good news is that it is not particularly complicated to prepare for such a border crossing.  

For travellers wishing to enter Canada with their dog, there are several requirements that must be met. General requirements for the importation of pets into Canada will depend on:

  • Your country of origin,
  • The age of your dog,
  • The purpose of import, and
  • Whether or not your dog will be accompanied during its transfer to Canada

For individuals specifically travelling with their dogs from the US to Canada for personal reasons, the process is more straightforward. To enter Canada from the U.S. with your dog, you’ll need:

  • A valid rabies certificate
  • To demonstrate that your dog is healthy and meets humane transportation requirements 
  • Documentation that clearly demonstrates you own the dog and obtained ownership prior to entering Canada (in certain cases)

The requirements and documentation you need may vary based on the age of your dog and other factors. In addition, in certain provinces, additional restrictions may apply. For example, those entering Ontario from the United States are prohibited from transiting pit bulls. It’s important to note that certified assistance (service) dogs may be exempt from some requirements upon entry.

If you are travelling from Canada to the US with your dog, the process is slightly different. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made changes to requirements for dogs entering the country in August of 2024. For dogs coming from “dog-rabies free or low-risk countries”, which includes Canada, entry requirements typically include:

  • A completed CDC Dog Import Form
  • That the dog appears healthy upon arrival
  • The dog is at least 6 months old at the time of entry to the U.S.
  • The dog has a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner

Dogs that have only been in Canada in the past 6 months can enter the U.S. at any airport, seaport, or land border crossing. Proof of rabies vaccination may be required based on where the dog has been in the last six months and whether the dog was vaccinated in the United States or elsewhere. If your dog has been in any countries at high-risk for dog rabies in the past 6 months, they may not be eligible to enter the U.S. directly from Canada.

Although the process of bringing your dog across the Canada-US border may seem simple, there can be complications. If you need answers to specific questions or help with an issue you faced taking your pet across the border, you should speak to a lawyer with experience in unique cross-border legalities. To discuss your situation, contact our Vancouver cross-border lawyers at Border Solutions Law Group Today.