Peggy: I've tried various pet relocation services, airlines. I know that I can't drive across the border. I'm hoping that my breeder will have an idea, but she's hard to communicate with. I'll give her a 'phone call soon.What have you tried so far? How far will the puppy need to travel and in what state/province will he or she be crossing?
You previously mentioned the communication issues with your breeder were resolved, so I’m surprised to hear this is ongoing. I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable purchasing a puppy from someone who wasn’t available to provide reasonable support.
Vandog: I like the idea of the trucking company. Someone just quoted me 1850 USD plus. I understand they have to make a profit, but I can't afford that. Friends of mine had good luck with airline cargo, very inexpensive. That might be the way to go.What have you already tried? Where is the puppy coming from/where does it have to get to? I’m not sure that I would be comfortable purchasing a puppy with the lack of communication or support.
You might be able to fly the dog in on cargo and pick it up from the airport? I think now there are a lot more flights going in/out that it should be a possibility to arrange for it to go in cargo? And then pick the puppy up from the airport.
I know when I got my last dog (pre-COVID), I got her from a breeder in the states. They were aware of how to bring the puppy from the states and what paperwork was needed and I drove down to pick her up. We had to go inside the customs building to verify paper work and look through the car. The officer said they just wanted us to go inside so they could pet my puppy. We got a border services officer who had poodles growing up so only was asked for health certificate and paperwork and didn’t have to pay.
I did research and talked to some people who brought dogs/puppies across the border (either flying or driving). Some have had to pay taxes and others didn’t - it’s up to the discretion of each officer. They can also look online to see if the amount you paid was reasonable and need to see communication and proof of the amount you paid.
Another suggestion that may be harder to facilitate but might be an option? I had a friend whose sister had been on a waiting list for a puppy for almost 2 years. She was finally set to receive a puppy that was ready to come home end of March. The border was closed and there was no flights in/out at the time and then there was the restrictions and requirement to self-isolate. She got in contact with a trucking company in her city who connected her with a truck driver who was willing to bring the puppy across the border. It took a lot of coordination and preparation but it worked out.
My friend’s sister talked with the driver prior to any arrangements. He was an older gentleman whose dog passed away last year after spending years travelling the country with him. She felt comfortable knowing that he has had experience with dogs especially in the truck. She paid the driver $500 cash for helping plus made sure he had enough to pay the taxes when crossing the border. The breeder met the driver about 4 hours from the border with puppy/crate and other supplies and then he drove straight through and met him outside the border in a parking lot. Might be worth calling around a few trucking companies local around you/breeder to see if it’s feasible.Vandog: I like the idea of the trucking company. Someone just quoted me 1850 USD plus. I understand they have to make a profit, but I can't afford that. Friends of mine had good luck with airline cargo, very inexpensive. That might be the way to go.