Moving with our pets from CA to AK how's?don'ts?and do's?

[margaritas_105]

I moved from Missouri to Alaska a few years back and we drove through Canada. I didnt have chickens at the time but dogs, cats and 2 parrots. I looked through all the websites and found health certs were recommended for the furry ones but saw nothing anywhere relating to feathers. I actually didnt get health certs for anyone and Canada didn't care. However... when I got to Alaska, Border Patrol wanted health certs for my birds, not the dogs or cats. I explained that I had scoured the info available and never saw that as a requirement. They said they wouldn't let them in initially. Like, ok, so I will let my potentially "infected" birds loose outside then. Obviously, I would never. In the end they gave my info to the state vet to follow up with and let me go. I'm a vet tech and the assumption was my birds didn't have bird flu and I guess that I was responsible or trustworthy. State vet called me a month later and asked how things were, said fine, birds are still alive. He basically said ok, they obviously dont have bird flu at this point (or whatever condition they were worried about at the time).

If I were to do it again, health certs for everyone... also I would probably do the ferry. I hear it's pretty cool. If you decide to drive call both Canadian and US Border Patrol, explain where you are going and what you are bringing. I would call again closer to your travel date to make sure nothing has changed (also to make sure you get the same answer from 2 different people).

If you are going by ferry, call the ferry system and ask what requirements they have. It would likely depend on what ports you are docking in though it would mostly pertain to Alaska's rules, since they don't generally dock in Canada. Someone correct me if I am wrong. With the right preparation, you shouldn't have any problems. But like I said, I went through in 2015 with parrots instead of poultry. At the time, everyone cared more about if I had weapons or large amounts of cash. Not the animals, meds or the massive amount of crap in my trailer.

Good luck and you'll love it here! Bring a coat!

Huge thank you for your advice I will definitely do some calling around and I lived in very cold weather before I think or I hope we will be prepared for cold, we do get up to 5 feet of snow where we at right now

 

[GingerAle87]

Huge thank you for your advice ❤ I will definitely do some calling around and I lived in very cold weather before I think or I hope we will be prepared for cold, we do get up to 5 feet of snow where we at right now

I'm sure you'll be fine. This last month we've had some good stretches of cold weather. I'm in the Mat-Su valley, about 15 miles outside of Wasilla and our last cold stretch this month was -20 for about a week and a half. My 2 pet bunnies (they live with my chickens) did just fine, a few frostbite issues with my girls that I hope to remedy with my new coop in the spring. The winter is rough, but let's be honest, if it weren't for the summer... hardly anyone would live here. But since we do, we must take advantage of all winter can offer too!

 

[margaritas_105]

I'm sure you'll be fine. This last month we've had some good stretches of cold weather. I'm in the Mat-Su valley, about 15 miles outside of Wasilla and our last cold stretch this month was -20 for about a week and a half. My 2 pet bunnies (they live with my chickens) did just fine, a few frostbite issues with my girls that I hope to remedy with my new coop in the spring. The winter is rough, but let's be honest, if it weren't for the summer... hardly anyone would live here. But since we do, we must take advantage of all winter can offer too!

I wonder if camper would be ok to keep them warm since it has all propane hook ups I can exchange couple of regular light bulbs for heating bulbs, we do have 2 pet bunnies as well but we keep them in the house since we have a 600lb bear visiting us often so far in 7 years our dogs did a great job at keeping him and other wildlife at bay, we live in the mountains in the Forrest so plenty of visitors here too. By the way my kids and I have red hair too

 

[GingerAle87]

I wonder if camper would be ok to keep them warm since it has all propane hook ups I can exchange couple of regular light bulbs for heating bulbs, we do have 2 pet bunnies as well but we keep them in the house since we have a 600lb bear visiting us often so far in 7 years our dogs did a great job at keeping him and other wildlife at bay, we live in the mountains in the Forrest so plenty of visitors here too. By the way my kids and I have red hair too

Oh yeah that's intimidating!! Luckily I live close enough to town that my biggest predator are are the neighborhood dogs... which my dogs scare off. Funny enough, when the hens get going, the moose weird out and keep thier distance. You guys will fit right in... it seems like all the redheads live up here! I hope you get all the info you need to make your trip smooth!

 

[margaritas_105]

Update!
This is an email I've got from CFIA, hope it helps others who are moving as well!

Information about the import requirements for dogs can be found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website at
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals...als/pets/dogs/eng/1331876172009/1331876307796

Information about the import requirements for cats can be found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/imp/petani/feline.shtml

Import requirements for live animals can be found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website at http://inspection.gc.ca/animals/ter.../live-animals/eng/1320833881215/1320833972327

Import Permit Application Form - Live Animals, Semen, Embryos, Animal Products and By-Products:
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals...t-application/eng/1374511671189/1374511696513

You can review import requirements for specific animals using the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) at http://inspection.gc.ca/english/imp/airse.shtml By following the appropriate prompts, you will be able to determine current requirements based on the type of animal you intend to import.

If you have any more questions about Canadian requirements, please contact your nearest Animal Health Office.
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/offices/eng/1300462382369/1300462438912

Thank you for contacting the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Audrey
Public Enquiries
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
http://www.inspection.gc.ca

Like or follow us to stay on top of the latest news and updates about food recalls, food safety, animal health and plant health.
https://twitter.com/InspectionCan
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[HenOnAJuneBug]

In case you might be concerned about your chickens in colder weather, these chickens survived -58F (-50C) just recently.

https://electroverse.net/extreme-cold-bottomed-out-the-mercury-at-50c-in-chilcotin-b-c/

 

[margaritas_105]

In case you might be concerned about your chickens in colder weather, these chickens survived -58F (-50C) just recently.

https://electroverse.net/extreme-cold-bottomed-out-the-mercury-at-50c-in-chilcotin-b-c/

Thank you I was a little concerned how they will do but I guess those feathers do their job and good insulation of the coop with some warmth hopefully will do good for my girls and the Roo.

 

[GingerAle87]

Thank you I was a little concerned how they will do but I guess those feathers do their job and good insulation of the coop with some warmth hopefully will do good for my girls and the Roo.

As always, this will depend on where in Alaska you are moving. The interior has colder winters and hotter summers (especially Fairbanks). South central (Anchorage & Mat-Su) can have cold winters but the summer is generally more mild. The panhandle (Juneau) is generally more mild all around, more rain, I believe. You'll want to look into the averages for where you are headed. Of course, if you are moving in the summer, you'll have time to figure this out.

Again, I'm in the Mat-Su valley. My chickens have a small insulated coop, no heat. I'm fire paranoid. My next coop will be bigger and better insulated, with much better ventilation. This applies for everywhere but especially when it gets super cold and you're using heat, make sure you have a generator. Would hate to have the coop at 40, outside at -10, then loose power for a day or so. I imagine that would be too much if a drop too quick for the ladies to adjust to.

 

[GingerAle87]

Actually, when it was -20 earlier this month, my outside sensor was telling me it was 58 in the coop. My husband said "oh maybe it's on fire..." like no, it would be higher than that, there is no heat and I just pulled in the driveway... it isnt on fire. I go out and one of the girls has knocked over the sensor and is sitting on top of it. So -20 outside and 58 under the feathers on her belly. That made me feel much more comfortable with how well they can manage.

 

[NatJ]

I wonder if camper would be ok to keep them warm since it has all propane hook ups I can exchange couple of regular light bulbs for heating bulbs,

On the trip, or after you get there?
Unless you're driving in the middle of winter, they will not need extra heat during the trip.
GingerAle87 has already made good suggestions for after you get there.