Travel to Canada with parrot?

So in a few weeks I'm going on a short trip with my wife to Montreal... we live in Maine so we tend to go up to Quebec once or twice a year for a getaway.

Anyhow, I was considering bringing our little Green Cheek with us, since during our time away, I wouldn't have anyone to be with him for extended periods of time. I have someone who can give him fresh food and water, but I worry he'll be too lonely, as he's very accustomed to being with people most of the time.

I could easily get him a travel cage and I'm sure where we are staying it would be OK, but it got me thinking about border control - will they give us trouble?

From what I have read it seems like they are OK with tourist visits if you state that the bird is in good health and has not been in contact with other birds within the last 90 days, but I don't know if they want some kind of documentation...

Has anyone traveled to Canada with their bird, and if so, how was the border crossing?

From what I have been hearing on NPR, they are getting really strict. Not being nasty, just enforcing the Law, to the letter of the law. I would have your papers for your parrot perfectly in order. You never know.

This: Importing or Travelling with Personally Owned Pet Birds from the United States - Animals - Canadian Food Inspection Agency

You situation seems to fall under the third bullet point under "These requirements apply to."

I have always found Canada Customs to be polite and professional, but they tend to do their jobs by-the-book, just as you would expect.

Scott said:

This: Importing or Travelling with Personally Owned Pet Birds from the United States - Animals - Canadian Food Inspection Agency

You situation seems to fall under the third bullet point under "These requirements apply to."

I have always found Canada Customs to be polite and professional, but they tend to do their jobs by-the-book, just as you would expect.

Click to expand...

Thanks

So if I am reading that correctly, it looks like they'll just take a look at the bird and make sure it looks healthy (kind of silly), ask you a few questions and have you sign some paperwork.

Sounds easy enough...

One moment there! You will be crossing Two Boarders and coming back into the United States also have specific requirements. So, you need to plan and be prepared for both crossings.

Documentation, documentation, documentation!

We travel between Michigan and Ontario. The reality 'today' can be very different 'tomorrow' and I am sure that you would want to be prepared when, not 'if' the requirements change in a matter of hours driven by several different Local /World events, all fully likely in todays World.

When we cross, we have a full document set, based on the most current documents provided by each Country. In addition, we have the required documents as if we would be 'fly' into either Country. When we crossed last Summer, we had our Certified Avian Vet complete a full blood screen requirement and a Physical Examination. The Documents from our CAV includes a color photo and his Micro Chip number (leg band number or sexing tattoo can be used) and her signature on each page. Note, we assure that the paperwork will be within the date restrictions both ways.

Overkill, yup! But things happen and planning for the worst makes living it much easier.

Do not forget your Passports!

FYI: It is really not that much work and the joy of having your Parrot with you is worth it!



"we live in Maine so we tend to go up to Quebec once or twice a year for a getaway."