Traveling to Canada with Pets

We're considering a trip to Niagara Falls, ON, and spending some time in the Georgian Bay area in July. We travel with two standard poodles and have gotten differing information about taking dogs and dog food into Canada. We know to get health certificates and always travel with rabies certificates. On some RV sites, there have been references to dogs needing other shots. Does anyone know if this is required? There have also been references as to what volume of dog food is allowed to be taken into Canada. Our dogs eat freeze-dried raw food made in the USA. Any problems with having that food with us crossing the border? Looking for all advice from those who have done this crossing. Thanks!

Here is a link to the Canada Customs site "Visitors to Canada and other Temporary Residents".

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5082-eng.html

And the PDF document is here.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5082-eng.pdf

If you can't find the answer you are looking for call them.

For more information within Canada, call the Border Information Service at 1-800-461-9999. From outside Canada, call 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064 (long distance charges will apply). Agents are available Monday to Friday (08:00-16:00 local time / except holidays).

I hope you enjoy your visit.

UPDATE:

Travellers may bring into Canada a personal import of pet food (limit of 20 kg), if the import meets all of the following requirements:

The pet food or product must be of United States origin and be commercially packaged.
The pet food or product must be in the possession of the traveller at the time of entry from the U.S.
The animal that will eat the imported product must accompany the traveller at the time of entry.
The imported product is fed only to the animal that accompanied the traveller into Canada.
For more details, see Section 6.5 of the Health of Animals Regulations.

http://inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/petfaani/petfaanie.shtml

We when to our dogs to Canada in 2010, we did have to show proof of rabies shots, but nothing else, No problems with taking our regular dog food (Dog Chow) over either.

It was way easier than any of the reading made sound.

Thanks so much for the information. We are really looking forward to visiting the Georgian Bay area this year as we've read about fellow sailboaters who have traveled there by boat. It sounds like a great place to see.

Saildogs said:

Thanks so much for the information. We are really looking forward to visiting the Georgian Bay area this year as we've read about fellow sailboaters who have traveled there by boat. It sounds like a great place to see.

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Well if it's world class sailing you are looking for google "Bras D'or Lakes"

#6 in the top 10 sailing locations in North America

6. Bras d'Or Lakes, Cape Breton

Bras d'Or Lake is sometimes referred to as the Bras d'Or Lakes or the Bras d'Or Lakes system, however its official geographic name is Bras d'Or Lake as it is a singular entity. This huge lake is in the center of Cape Breton Island and is ringed by indigo hills laced with marble. It nurtures a lot of different wild animals such as cormorants and large concentrations of Bald Eagles and has become a favored boating destination thanks to its remarkable scenery by many luxury yacht owners. In the summer there are warm waters for swimming and numerous safe anchorages.

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We sail the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and over the years have read many stories about the Georgian Bay area as well as other areas in Canada. The RV allows us to visit all the places we read about as making the trip by sailboat would require years. LOL

We were in and out of Canada several times while doing an Alaskan caravan last summer. The only time anyone looked at our dog's papers, though we presented them each time, was when we came across the last time. There never was a mention of the food for the dog. Maybe we were just lucky.