The smuggled cat

Have you ever unintentionally broken the law?

Yes, when I (kind of) smuggled my cat into Canada.

Documentation for Cati

There was no chance that we would leave our two cats back in Brazil when we moved to Canada. You have a lot of paperwork to prepare when you are bringing your pet to a new country. So, we started arranging everything. You need a proof of good health from the veterinarian. The vaccines need to be given more than 30 days before the travel, but less than one year. You need to get the international health certificate for the animal. This needs to be issued no more than 72 hours before the departure of the flight by a government department. There’s a limit to the number of animals allowed on the airplane. You need to let the company know you are bringing yours in advance. Also, you need to pay extra to bring them in the cabin. They need to go in a small carrier that fits under the sit.

Initially this seemed like a lot, but we prepared everything. When I boarded the plane, I rested my mind because I knew I had everything in order. I was just prepared to hand all the documents to customs when we got in our destination.

Flying with me

Cati was a real lady coming at my feet in the sit in front of me. She didn’t cry or disturb the other passengers in any way. The carrier we got her in had a leash attached to it. This ensured she wouldn’t escape and explore the airplane. I opened a little crack and put my feet into it. Occasionally, I also put my hands in. This way, Cati would know that I was there with her all the way.

Passport control and customs

When we were almost ready to land, they gave us the customs form. I filled it as usual. I got all my belongings with me, paying special attention to the most important cargo, Cati. When I was passing through passport control I gave all my documents, including the customs form. The officer looked intently at the carrier at my hands. Though I was expecting to show her documentation at the customs, I started getting them.

“What is in that carrier?” he asked.

“It’s my cat,” I answered.

“Is she alive?” he asked me again.

“Yes, she is,” I answered. I was caught a little off guard by this question.

“Well, you should have noted on the customs form that you are transporting live animals,” he said with some sarcasm.

I think I never felt so foolish in my entire life! I simply had answered “No” to all the questions, like I always do. But that day, of all days, I should have remembered to read all the options. I needed to properly note that I did have a live animal with me. Specially concerning such a precious cargo as it was Cati.

Paying the fine

He made a big mark in red in the form. It read in capital letters “CAT”. When I got to the customs, they asked me to go to the cashier and pay a small amount. Later I understood that this was a fine for not declaring I was carrying a live animal with me. Of course, I didn’t have any intention to bring a smuggled cat into the country. Well, lessons learned. I never filled another form before reading and carefully considering all the choices.

After paying the fine, at least Cati was not a smuggled cat anymore! She lived a happy life in beautiful Canada, where she was received with open arms.