Brian......You'll need a current vaccination cert which must include Rabies and an 'International Health Cert'--both issued and signed by a DVM. The health certificate must be no older than 10 days and not less than 24 hours between the time issued and you crossing the border. But remember it will be only valid for 10 days. When I crossed...they seemed to be more adamant about the health certificate than the vaccination certificate! Go Figure! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> If you plan on staying for longer than 10 days...Then you'll need to find a vet up here to issue you an 'updated' International Health Certificate.

Also ANY 'meat-by product' food (and that includes kibble and definitely 'raw', and many 'treats')...is not allowed and if found...They WILL take it from you...I brought a pup into the country (Canada) with an unopened bag of kibble (one of those small 10? lb bags...On the bag it said the kibble was originally manufactured in CANADA and they took it regardless...So anything considered a meat, cheese, dairy product is restricted.

Hope this helps.

What border are you guys crossing? Or are you flying in? That makes a difference. If you are flying in they may require a health certificate but I have NEVER been asked for one going across by vehicle. I can cross the borders (U.S./Canada) quite a bit. Last time across with my male, the border guards on the U.S. side asked me questions about his breeding and if they could pet him. Same on the way back to the Canada. I have crossed the borders over 100 times in the past couple of years and NEVER been asked for rabies OR health certificate. BUT..I live in B.C. I think Ontario borders are strickter. As they have more rabie problems.

I will be driving and crossing the border in Blaine, Washington.

Ah...then you will be in my neck of the woods!!! I usually go across at the Aldergrove crossing (by Lynden outside of Bellingham) as they are the most EASIEST going compared to the other crossings.

Are you visiting or staying for awhile etc? I would bring proof on ownership of the dog and the other question they may ask is "are you leaving the dog behind" or are they coming back with you etc. Then a rabies certicate, although rabies vaccines are not manatory in B.C. BUT...you are coming from the U.S. so they want your dogs to have it.

There are lots of places you can buy raw food here...where will you be going /staying? (Surrey, Vancouver, etc).

Brian,

I would strongly suggest that you vist both the US and Canadian Customs web sites. http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-e.html and http://www.customs.gov. The Canadian publication you want is rc4161 and the information is on page 9 of that brochure and on the US site you want to look at the Know Before you Go brochure and the Pet and Wildlife publication. You can get any specific information you need from these sites as well as phone numbers for the specific ports you will cross to call and ask if they have any local procedures you should be aware of.

Keep in mind that no beef or beef products are allowed to be imported from Canada at this time. Any dog food that contains beef or beef by products will not be allowed in to the US.

The US standard for any dog over six months of age is that they have a current rabies certificate.

Enjoy your trip

Thanks Chris I will check those sites out. Shelley, I am going to Whistler and will be bringing my GSD back home with me. Any suggestions of places to purchase food would be appreciated.

They also may be able to tell you if or where there is a place in Whistler for raw food. THink they carry all the different phamplets of the different companies etc.

I used Urban Carnivore (made by a company in Saskatoon that breeds/owns working german shepherds) on my holidays. My dogs LOVED it. Excellent food. Here is a site you can get the food at all over Canada. Urban Carnivore

I notice there is a place in Sqamish...close to Whistler.