Crossing the border with your pet, how to do it?
Fancy a little road trip in the United States?
Good idea, but no question of improvising!
You will first need to visit your veterinarian to protect your pet against certain diseases such as heartworm or Lyme disease, which are more common among our American neighbors. Also make sure your dog is vaccinated against rabies. “To cross the border, you need a rabies vaccination certificate (translated into English) that is more than three months old, but less than a year old. The same goes for entering Canada,” explains Isabelle Dehan, a veterinarian at the Île des Soeurs clinic, where she frequently receives future four-legged travelers.
"If the dog travels well in general, everything will be fine. On the other hand, a nervous young dog will be calmed with antiemetics that have a drowsy effect. It is important to know, before giving anything, if the animal has a heart murmur or other complications," she specifies.
On the road, respect normal outing times so that your dog can relieve himself. "And on a leash, please! There is so much drama in rest areas," laments Dr. Dehan. While some dogs travel better on an empty stomach, others are more comfortable if they have been fed. It is up to you to determine before departure what is best for your pet.
If you have motion sickness, don't panic. "There are some fabulous medications that have come out for motion sickness. You have to give them the day before, the effect lasts 24 hours and there is no drowsiness, but they completely resolve the nausea," explains Isabelle Dehan.
Also bring water for the trip. There are collapsible dog water bottles for around $20 at pet stores. "If you don't have air conditioning in the car, your dog will tolerate the temperature that you can tolerate, as long as he's not in a cage. The head-out-of-the-car thing is dangerous not for the ears, but for the eyes, which are exposed to projectiles (bees, rocks, etc.) at high speed. "You can open the window, but not too much," says the veterinarian. Some states in the United States, such as New Jersey, have made it mandatory for dogs to wear safety harnesses. Check, because fines range from $250 to $1,000. A cat travels in a cage exclusively for safety reasons. The cage can be attached by the seat belt for added precautions in the event of an accident.
For sleeping, also plan for places that accept dogs or cats. There is an excellent website to guide you, pettravel.com.
For birds, the procedure is much more complex and may discourage you. You must obtain a permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Most birds will have to be quarantined for 30 days at their owner's expense to prevent a resurgence of Newcastle disease in particular.
Source: Stephanie Vallet La Presse
Good idea, but no question of improvising!
You will first need to visit your veterinarian to protect your pet against certain diseases such as heartworm or Lyme disease, which are more common among our American neighbors. Also make sure your dog is vaccinated against rabies. “To cross the border, you need a rabies vaccination certificate (translated into English) that is more than three months old, but less than a year old. The same goes for entering Canada,” explains Isabelle Dehan, a veterinarian at the Île des Soeurs clinic, where she frequently receives future four-legged travelers.
"If the dog travels well in general, everything will be fine. On the other hand, a nervous young dog will be calmed with antiemetics that have a drowsy effect. It is important to know, before giving anything, if the animal has a heart murmur or other complications," she specifies.
On the road, respect normal outing times so that your dog can relieve himself. "And on a leash, please! There is so much drama in rest areas," laments Dr. Dehan. While some dogs travel better on an empty stomach, others are more comfortable if they have been fed. It is up to you to determine before departure what is best for your pet.
If you have motion sickness, don't panic. "There are some fabulous medications that have come out for motion sickness. You have to give them the day before, the effect lasts 24 hours and there is no drowsiness, but they completely resolve the nausea," explains Isabelle Dehan.
Also bring water for the trip. There are collapsible dog water bottles for around $20 at pet stores. "If you don't have air conditioning in the car, your dog will tolerate the temperature that you can tolerate, as long as he's not in a cage. The head-out-of-the-car thing is dangerous not for the ears, but for the eyes, which are exposed to projectiles (bees, rocks, etc.) at high speed. "You can open the window, but not too much," says the veterinarian. Some states in the United States, such as New Jersey, have made it mandatory for dogs to wear safety harnesses. Check, because fines range from $250 to $1,000. A cat travels in a cage exclusively for safety reasons. The cage can be attached by the seat belt for added precautions in the event of an accident.
For sleeping, also plan for places that accept dogs or cats. There is an excellent website to guide you, pettravel.com.
Customs
Animals may also be subject to inspection upon entry and may be refused entry if they show any signs of infectious disease that can be transmitted to humans, just as is the case with cats. The animal will then be examined by a veterinarian at your expense at the point of entry.For birds, the procedure is much more complex and may discourage you. You must obtain a permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Most birds will have to be quarantined for 30 days at their owner's expense to prevent a resurgence of Newcastle disease in particular.
Source: Stephanie Vallet La Presse