Travelling to Canada

So you're going to Canada, eh? Here are a few tips on travelling to Canada that you might want to review.

Crossing the Border:

Just as when you travel to any foreign country, when you enter Canada, you will be required to go through a Customs and Immigration inspection.

You will be asked to present proof of citizenship at your time of crossing; this can be your birth certificate, driver's license, or (the best to have) your passport.

You will also go through a similar inspection on your return to the States.

The Canadian government has a wonderfully informative website that will answer all your questions. Check it out!

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/publications/canada/canadae.shtml

Bringing your dogs to Canada:

A valid rabies vaccination certificate issued by a Canadian or United States practising veterinarian is required, which identifies the animal and states that it has been vaccinated against rabies within the preceding three (3) year period.

This same information is available in government-speak on this webpage:

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/import/dog_chien_2e.shtml

BSE and Dog Food

Dog food containing beef or beef byproducts cannot cross the US-Canadian border in either direction. So, no American beef can enter Canada and no Canadian beef can enter the US.

Dog foods made from other protein sources may be allowed but it's always best to be prepared. There are many grocery stores and vendors on both sides of the border that carry all major brands of dog food.

For those who prefer to feed raw foods, there are also several raw food vendors in the Vancouver area.

Speaking the language:

Once you cross the border, you'll notice that some things are said a little differently.

• You're not on vacation anymore; you're on holidays.
• If you order soda in a restaurant, you will be given soda water. Order pop instead.
• Tea in Canada is hot. If you want it cold, ask for iced tea. And be forewarned, we serve what you might call sweet tea.
• If someone tells you that there's a store a couple of kliks away, they mean it's a couple of kilometres away. Road signs are posted in kilometres, not miles.
• If something is bothering you, don't walk around telling everyone you're pissed. We'll think you have a drinking problem. Tell us you're pissed off and we'll do our best to help resolve the issue.