Taking pets abroad (canada)

[carlajay]

Hi

a query for a friend who is thinking about immigrating to canada

now obviously she's looked on the net and stuff but I was wondering if anyone had any knowledge on this subject they would like to share

[AmyCS]

I asked our vet about just this very thing yesterday lol. They would need to get a PET passport which (put simply) involves getting rabies shots. There are two of them taken a few weeks apart (don't remember exactly how many). She would then need to get a blood test done (I think) six months down the line to check that the vaccine has taken and then, and only then could she take her pet with her and bring it back. She would also need to take her pet to the vet a few days before travelling to ensure that the animal was healthy and the pet would also need to be wormed. If she planned on bringing the pet back into the UK, then she would need to get another check-up for the pet before returning to the UK, and again worming done etc... in order to avoid quarantine. It's fairly involved but once you've got all that sorted, you only need to get the rabies vaccine booster done every 3 years. The initial cost is around £180 and then about £45 for boosters.

In terms of carriage... I have absolutely NO idea but would be best to check with airlines .

[AmyCS]

Oh and would also be worth checking with the Canadian embassy to find out what laws they have regarding bringing animals in... that'd be my first port of call before investing in the innoculations.

[Kendra]

You also need to purchase a large closed crate for each dog which needs to be checked by the animal reception centre at the airport before it can be used. Cats can actually be taken as carry on in the cabin(!) but large dogs must travel in the hold. Most airlines charge several hundred £ per dog in the hold. Unless of course, they're a registered assistance dog, then they can travel for free in the cabin...

[labler]

I too would check specifically with Canada's import regulations.... and then find a new Vet..180 pounds for a rabies vacc..is highway robbery..here there given free once a month at most clinics...and if one chooses 20$ by appointmnet...

[LHR_Tim]

Just to clarify on the rabies, as we just got George his passport.

You'll have the rabies jab and at that time his chip is scanned (or tattoo checked). They must be chipped or tattooed. A few weeks later (in our case it was two), you have a blood test. That takes 7-10 days for the results. If there is no reaction to the vaccine, it is done again and two weeks later checked. If it comes back with a reaction, then 30 days from the vaccine date, they can leave the country. However, they can't come back in You have to wait six months from date of the blood test before they could come back in.

They will need to be re-vaccinated every three years for the UK. If you go just one day over the due date, you must repeat the blood test/six month wait. Also you must comply with local laws. So, if you were to be in Spain for some time, you'd need to re-vaccinate every year.

Once you get the blood test result you must bring you dog to the vet to get the passport, as they have to scan the chip and be physically present.

And £180 isn't that far off. That is the total cost of jab, blood test, vet fees and passport fee!

Hope that helps.

[labler]

I think Ive misunderstood....... Canada is not part of the european pet passport scheme....so, if I were immigratting to Canada....a pet passport would be of know concern to me......I imported my pup from Ireland to the US....and only requirement was a health certification from a vet(that must accompany you for travel) given within 14 days of travel....for my pup.......no rabies vaccine was required....(Ireland is a rabies free country) I would be much more interested in finding out the specific quarentee duration for your dog.... and again....verify everything with canada's importation.. you might need a valid rabies vaccine.....but Im sure you wont need a pet passport......

[AmyCS]

Labler - the reason it's a good idea to get the Pet passport scheme side carried out in the UK is if they wanted to come back into the country with their dog (it's good to have the option if you decide to move back - my parents lived in Switzerland for 23 years - I was born out there and was 19 when they decided it was time to come home, and we moved to the UK). If you were to bring your lab over to the UK or Ireland which are both rabies-free they need to see proof of immunity and the PET scheme eases the whole process. I've friends who had to move from Switzerland back to the UK who actually delayed their return to avoid putting their dog into kennels - they actually waited until she died to move back!. I've also friends who moved to the UK from the US - they had to keep their cats in quarantine for 6 months too....

[labler]

Im aware.... if one is undecided.........perhaps I would.....but.....going thru the process of taking citizenship in a foreign country..is a long and commited process..... which In most cases involves temp residnecy followed by testing for citizenship..less one marries in... My best wishes to my possible new neighbor..... if there moving to british colombia.....perhaps a lab get togehter in Washington state.....

[MargaretAnne]

I'm think the same to move to Toronto i loved it so much and i would tack my lucy with me. good luck