Taking a pet into the USA

[mickey65]

Has anyone taken their pets? How strict are they with rabbies certificates?

We are going to the States in a week and are taking our cat. She is getting her shots on Tuesday and then we leave on the Monday. She had her shots last year but they expired on July 3rd of this year.
I just read that pets have to have the shots 30 days befor entry to the US.

Can anyone help? Do they enforce this or is just having it good enough. She is an indoor cat and always has been.

Help! I am worried we will get there and they will take her.

 

[annabanna]

I don't know about cats, but I have brought horses into Canada and back again and they were very strict about everything. All i's had to be dotted and t's crossed.
But, if it were me I would just call and find out for sure.

 

[rjan67]

I have taken my cat and dog and not been asked for their certificates, however it does say that. I don't think they would take your cat but you could be turned back from the U.S.

 

[minnie mum]

They are very strict with enforcement. You will absolutely need to have your certificate with you. But I can't remember if the certificate specifies day/month/year or only month/year. Talk to your vet. They should know if a 3 week delay in the immunization will cause a problem for you, since it is a 'booster' shot and not an initial immunization.

 

[formill]

We have taken our dog and never been asked to show anything........or had any questions asked about the dog at all. I would think since this was not first time ever shots you should be fine. Also you said that your cat had a rabies shot last year? Aren't they good for more than a year now anyway? I thought rabies was good for 3 years.

 

[drag n' fly]

What about a bird?

 

[minnie56]

Moved to Florida some years back now so can't say what they are like now. We had 2 dogs, 2 cats and were told we had to have all vaccination certificates etc..they asked for nothing. Not a thing..

Jeez

 

[Northstar]

It's hit or miss whether they will ask for the certificate if you're driving over the border. You may need it either leaving or entering, neither, or both.

I have never heard of anyone having trouble over the date of vaccination being too close to their trip. Generally, when they ask for it, they just glance at it.

In any case, they wouldn't take your cat, because then they'd have to create an instant kitty quarantine facility! They'd just tell you you couldn't enter the country with her, and you would have to turn back.

 

[mickey65]

Thans everyone for the replies. Guess it will just depend on when we cross if the security feels like asking and being sticky with the date. Hopefully they will not care about a few days. The vaccines he gets is only good for a year, we will just bring the new one and the one that just expired and hope it is good.

 

[wendyt_ca]

I was actually wondering this the other day as we are crossing the border briefly for a package this coming weekend and were thinking of taking our dog with us. Her vaccinations were last year I believe. I was trying to figure out if we would have any issues.