Bringing your furry friend on an international vacation or a move can be intimidating. Road trips with your best friend can be a blast, but not all countries or borders allow pets. Additionally, some border policies may allow pets only under certain circumstances. You’ll also need to make sure you can cross the border safely and legally as well! This guide will outline some tips to help you know what to expect when traveling out of the country.
Prepare for Pet Policies and Inspections
Before solidifying your plans to include your pets in your road trip, move, or vacation, you must be familiar with your destination’s border policies. Not all animals are allowed through a country’s borders; the rest typically require paperwork, pet quantity limits, proof of vaccination, and more.
Bringing dogs into the United States from Canada and Mexico
Before you travel across the U.S. border understand the new rules about bringing dogs back into the United States. CDC regulations govern the importation of certain animals capable of carrying diseases that can be transmitted to humans such as rabies.
As of August 2024 CDC simplified the process for meeting requirements for dogs arriving from dog rabies-free or low-risk countries, i.e., Canada and Mexico. For dogs that have not been outside Canada and Mexico in the 6 months before U.S. entry, you will only need to fill out the CDC Dog Import Form online. This form is valid for multiple entries into the U.S. for six months as long as your country of departure does not change. For example, if you travel frequently between Canada and the U.S., you can use the same receipt until it expires. If during that time you decide to travel between Mexico and the U.S., you will need a new CDC Dog Import Form receipt listing Mexico as the country of departure.
Dogs that have been only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries in the past 6 months can enter the U.S. at any airport, seaport, or land border crossing.
Find more information on entry requirements for dogs from dog-rabies free or low-risk countries.
Bringing cats into the United States from Canada and Mexico
Unlike dogs, cats are not required to be vaccinated against rabies in order to enter the US (although the CDC does recommend rabies vaccination anyway). All cats arriving into the U.S. are subject to inspection at ports of entry, and may be denied entry if there is any evidence of a zoonotic disease. Any cats that appear unwell may be subject to veterinary inspection at the expense of its owner before being allowed entry into the U.S.
Bringing pets into Canada from the United States
If you’re travelling with a pet to Canada, you will need the right paperwork at the border to meet Canada’s import requirements. In Canada, wild wolf dogs or wild cats aren’t allowed at all. You must provide proof of rabies vaccination (if over three months of age) and additional paperwork for domestic pets. If your pet isn’t a dog or a cat, you’ll need to ensure that specific animal is allowed (skunks are not permitted in Canada at all, for example). Insects or arachnids like tarantulas are subject to additional rules and must adhere to plant health requirements. Invasive species can significantly hurt a country’s crops and economy. Find more information on bringing pets into Canada.
Bringing pets into Mexico from the United States
If you’re traveling with a pet to Mexico, a health certificate for dogs and cats is no longer needed to enter Mexico, but it’s always wise to be prepared and bring one just in case. Dogs and cats may be taken to the border without health certificate documentation; they will be inspected by SENASICA upon arrival. Border patrol agents will inspect your animals for any prominent contagious diseases, parasites, or fresh wounds before permitting their entry, so prepare your animals to be handled gently. Live birds are highly regulated due to avian diseases. If you have animals other than dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, or chinchillas, you’ll want to contact the Mexican government or border before traveling to ensure they will be allowed entry. You may only be permitted to bring two animals per traveler, so double-check policies and requirements if you have multiple animals. Find more information on bringing pets into Mexico.
Keep Travel and Pet Documents Safe
It can be easy to lose essential travel documents when focused on safely getting your animal into the car and across the border. Additionally, if an animal can access travel documents, they may chew on or otherwise sully them. If you don’t have your passport or pet records, you won’t be allowed to travel across country borders. Ensure you keep your passport card, identification, and credit cards secure in a wallet or card case. Alternatively, you can keep a passport book in a particular folder or holder if desired (if you’re wondering about passport card vs. passport book difference, it’s more than size!) Pet records or other travel documentation are typically standard letter sizes; you’ll need a larger folder for these items. Keep them away from your pets at all times, and ensure they’re easily accessible to you as you will need your passport when crossing country lines.
Research Travel Destinations
Once you’ve established that your pet meets legal border crossing requirements, make sure your travel destinations are also pet-friendly, including hotels or apartments where you may stay. What will you do with your pets once you are there? How will you keep them safe and secure? Are there stray or wild animals where you’ll be? If there are times when your pet won’t be with you, such as during dinner outings, you’ll need a solid plan to keep them safe while you’re separated. Make sure your destinations are pet-friendly and accommodating.
Make a Pre-trip Vet Appointment
Before your animal travels anywhere, they will need a clean bill of health. You will also need proof of vaccination in many international road trip destinations, like Canada. If your pet suffers from travel anxiety, crate anxiety, or motion sickness, they may need medication from a vet to ensure they’re comfortable. Your vet may also be able to give you advice regarding road travel or international travel tailored to your pet’s medical history.
Prepare for Crate Travel
A road trip can be safer and smoother if your animal travels in a crate. Some crates are even crash-tested and can keep your animal safe in case of a vehicle accident. If your pet is new to the crate, practicing beforehand is always a good idea. Encourage your pet to explore and sniff the crate without trapping them there. Treats, food, and play can help this go smoother. Once they are comfortable in the crate open, you can try fiddling with the door, opening and closing it to get them slowly accustomed to being in the crate. Once comfortable with the closed door, keep them in for increasingly longer increments. A professional dog trainer can assist with positive crate associations and training. However, some pets never enjoy the crate, so medication may be wise in these cases. If you want your animal to travel outside of the crate in your car, be aware of the safety risks in case of an accident.
Pack Pet Supplies
You’ll want to be prepared during travel. Pack food, water, treats, medication, records, leashes, harnesses, and cleaning supplies. Bringing along extras in case of emergencies is never a wrong choice. Your animal should be microchipped and have identification in case of emergencies as well. If your pet makes a mess in a crate or your backseat, shampoo and car cleaning supplies will come in handy, too. Some borders only allow a certain amount of food, so research this beforehand so you don’t waste any food.
Train Your Pet
Training your pet to listen to you outside of the crate is wise, particularly if you have a dog. You never know when a ‘sit’ or ‘stay’ will come in handy. When your dog learns commands to understand it’s time to settle and relax, it can reduce stress for you and your dog. A professional, positive reinforcement dog trainer can help your dog learn some cool commands to keep traveling easier. There are also a ton of resources online to teach them yourself. You should reward your dog with a treat when it behaves in a way you enjoy! Pair it with a command word when they’ve got it to a science.
Conclusion
Traveling with your pets can be rewarding but challenging. To ensure everything goes smoothly, make sure your documentation is safe and prepared before your road trip. Check in with your vet to approve the trip and border crossing as well. Research all country border policies and your destination’s customs policies regarding pets, particularly regarding their breed, type, and size. Bring plenty of supplies in case of emergencies to keep your furry friend safe and happy.
