Bringing your Cat into Canada from the US
Yes! You can do it too!!! Bring all your kitties + cats into Canada!!! I’ll tell you how!
Ten years ago I found my sweet cat Megumi underneath the freeway – scraggly, starving, crying + alone. A little back story, I was under the freeway working on the set of a film. Don’t be alarmed, folks! I don’t regularly troll under freeways much. Ever since then we’ve been inseparable + she is extremely attached to me, as most rescues are.
Megumi was being baby-sat by my parents in Southern California to wait out Jeff + I’s move into the house. Poor thing. I couldn’t WAIT to bring her up to Canada!!!! I did a lot of reading about what to do to bring her into the country. I read the Canadian Food Inspection Agency page about “Importing Domestic Cats” like a million times. As long as your cat comes from a rabies-free country (which includes the US), is older than 3 months + gets a rabies booster + certificate from the vet – you are good to go!!! To be specific, the certificate is called, “United States Interstate + International Certificate of Health Examination for Small Animals”. I say!!!!
When my mom + sis came up to visit me before Christmas, they had the fun task of bringing her up with them. We were all nervous as heck! Did we do everything right? Will they get turned around at Canadian inspections??? To make things easier, I bought Megumi a super posh carrier for the flight from Sleepy Pod. I scoped them out at the Dwell on Design show that Jeff + I attended last June.
Posh!!! I got Megumi the Sleepy Pod Air. It is way worth the money! Their customer service is amazing + they’re such an innovative company!!!
One of the great features about the Sleepy Pod Air is, the sides fold in so you can tuck your kitty/pooch under the seat during take off.
And during the flight you can expand it again for comfort!
Aaaaaah!!!! Stretch!!! The inside of the Sleepy Pod Air is super cushy + you can also slip it onto the handle of your carry on while in the airport!
My mom didn’t give Megumi any food or drink the night before. This helps to avoid any accidents or smelly times during the flight! I was afraid she was going to be a total skittish spazz but my mom + sister said that she was a perfect little princess!!!! At customs you indicate that you are traveling with an pet. They have you step aside, where they will take out the animal for inspection. Apparently Megu was sweet as pie!!!
She is the best Christmas present I have ever received!!! THANKS MOM!!!! And it’s amazing because it usually takes her a while to warm up to new situations, but SHE IS LOVING VANCOUVER!!!! She loves the activity outside her window…
She is kind of a freaky cat. Eccentric would be the word. Sometimes I have NO IDEA what she’s looking at!
We’ve been through a lot together, Megumi + I. She is sitting in my lap as I write!
There’s no way I would have ever left her in the United States! She’s my little buddy! I love her SO MUCH, sometimes I just want to bite her little face off!!!
It makes such a huge difference having her here in Vancouver with me. Being that it is a new city for me, it’s totally aces to having her around because she has always been there for me during many a tough moment!
Here’s a mini list!!!
Now we are a happy little family of three!
Thanks mom + Ashley for enduring the anxiety of bringing Megumi to Canada!!! It was totally worth it!!! I appreciate your efforts SO MUCH!!! XOXOXO
how's it going, eh? 
So glad you and Megs are reunited! I thought for sure it was a mistake that we didn’t tranquilize Megumi for the flight but she surprised us all and did great! Thank goodness for Mom and that Sleepy Pod! So glad that Megumi loves her new home so much, but I’m sure she’s just happy to be back with you! Hope Jeff is doing ok with his allergies! Love and miss you! 😽
Thanks, Ash!!! She is loving it here! Jeff is actually doing really well with his allergies! That is going to be another post to itself! Can you believe it???
Omg so happy for you two being reunited!!
Thanks Laura! Being an ultimate cat lover yourself, I knew you’d totally get it!!!! Miss ya!
I couldn’t believe what Megumi made so much difference here in USA than Canada. I think she is almost other cat which is now very happy, sweet and most of all relaxed nature there. She must has been so anguish to be with her loving mom, Shelli. I am very happy for Megumi.
Her name in Japanese is blessing because Megumi has a broken arm and abandoned by her mom cat but Shelli rescued her under the freeway bridge. I think Megumi is very thanks for that..
Love you all so much. XOXO
Mommy,
She IS a blessing!!!! A little furry one!
Awww! Now that’s twue wuv! 🙂 She’s a cutie!
Isn’t she gorgeous?! Thanks, Michelle!
Yay Megumi! Jeff was referring to ‘his wife and her daughter’ being left in Vancouver while he’s away … she is your baby. So sweet.
Awwwwwww! Jeff resisted, but he has fallen prey to her feline charms!!!! It was just a matter of time!
I don’t like. I love. Yay for rescue kitties!
Yaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!! Thumbs up!!!
Hi, Nan, Meg’s definitely has issues but she soooo
luv’s her Mommy, hehe…LOL, i’m so happy she is
reunited with U, that is so AWsuM, yup, kudo’s too
mum’sie and ash for bringing Meg’s up 2 Canada,
ur baby is finally HOME, booYAAAH, luv Dad’s
ps: So Luv ur fantastic sketch of Jeff, Meg’s and Nanook !!!!!!
haha, isn’t it funny?
Aw this was such a heart warming post! Thanks for sharing it. I’m really happy for you and Megumi! Some pet owners leave or give away their pets when they’re moving (even if it’s only across the city) and here you are, moving across the continent with your kitty! I would never dream of moving anywhere without my cats. Hope the flight wasn’t too bad for her, I think my cats would freak out!