Importing Pet Cat into the USA from Canada

[shanwill]

I am getting a J2 Visa to attach to husbands J1. I am moving from Canada and bringing my cat. I was told all I need is a health certificate and current rabies shot. Is it this simple?

Also, would it be easier/better to have husband with me at border crossing when bringing my cat, or can I do this just as easily on my own?

THANKS!!!!!!

[agnelson]

What benefit would it be to have your spouse there. Is your cat particularly wild or heavy?

You can enter US on your own.

[miguelramosv]

Here is the rule:

All domestic cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry. If the animal is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at the owner's expense. Cats arriving in Hawaii or Guam, both of which are free of rabies, are subject to that state's/ territory's quarantine requirements.


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This means, you don't need to bring anything. I moved to the US with my cat in my car - I declared that I was bringing my cat. They asked no questions.

[shanwill]

Thank you both so much. I feel much better now

[transitorykris]

Just to be safe I took my cat into the vet a couple weeks before crossing the border. The vet knew exactly what I was looking for when I explained it was to take the cat into the US and provided a form which mostly said the cat doesn't have rabies (as far as I can tell). The CBP officer asked if I had any documents for the cat.