U.S. to Canada Eclectus... import help. :(Hi. This may be a long one. Background: M

[WinstonToBC]

Hi. This may be a long one.

Background: My dad passed away last year. Before his passing he asked me if I could take Winston once my step mom was unable to care for him. Winston is approximately 25. I said yes and just recently my step mom has had a stroke and can no longer care for Winston. I am on a mission to get him. The tricky part is that he is in Florida and I am in Canada.

I have phoned Canadian import services and the food inspection branch. They both seem unsure as to what I do as I do not fall into their black and white box. I am not a pet owner in the US moving to Canada, but I am also not an individual who will be selling birds.

The only info I have gotten is that:
1. I need to fill out an import application. When I do that, a district vet will come to my home to ensure a quarantine area.
2. If all is okayed with quarantine area, import office gives me an import licence and I have 3 months to import Winston.
3. When arriving to Canada with Winston, I show import papers and health record from a Florida vet. At the border, their vet will also give Winston a checkover.
4. Winston passes through border and is in a quarantine area in my home for 45 days.
Now that makes sense to me but I am reading stuff about export licences from the states and something about a special form needed from CITES?

The poor boy has been alone for awhile as my step mom is in hospital. A family friend is giving him food and water but he needs people. I have gotten in touch with a place who helps rehoming as well as boarding. She also works with Parrot rescues. She said she will board him until I can get down there so I know he will be in good hands. But, I am so confused with the logistics and am concerned I am missing something. I am doing all I can to do the process correctly but am very confused.

Has anyone done this? Info? I am just heartbroken that he has been alone and want him with me up here. I am a teacher, so need to plan my trip down carefully. Hoping to have him up here in January, no later than March.

Any suggestions and info would be greatly appreciated. When I call or email places, I am being referred to the same site that I have questions about.

Thanks!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Pet relocation service? Just some links to get you started on your search. These companies do this all the time, know what is involved. It will cost though. Please try and sort something soon as fearful of this guy on his own and as you know diet is important to them.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?cli...1j0i22i10i30k1j33i160k1j33i21k1.0.ZdhpH2kBRjs

http://theparrotforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=5156

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/health-certificates/non-eu/canada-bird.pdf

I'll leave you to trawl through, but it would seem sensible to get your Mum to write that she or her proxy is assigning this bird to you.

http://www.naturechest.com/travwityourb.html

Oh perhaps an Avian vet can help with this too, maybe a bit more clued?

 

[SailBoat]

Sorry to hear about your situation. And yes, your needs falls between the regulatory cracks, so to speak!

I am going to guess that your Dad did not have a Will and if he did, Winston's care was not covered within the Will. If that Will does exist, you can use that document as proof of Ownership!

Not sure what condition your Step Mother is in, but if she is still legally competent to sign paperwork, there maybe a method to getting Winston's ownership assigned to you! She needs to sign a document that transfers her ownership of Winston to you! At that point, you become the legal owner of Winston. Once you are Winston's legal owner and your status changes to that of a Pet Owner returning home with your Pet becomes easier. Note, since this all involves crossing Boarders, you should have a Lawyer prepare the document and assure proper signing. Contact the individual that is currently caring for Winston, she likely has an Attorney that can handle the documents.

You will still need to obtain a Healthy Parrot Certificate from a 'Certified Avian Vet.' That paperwork will need to started at least two months before transport from the US to Canada!

CITES regulations are still a bit of a mess in both Canada and the US. Getting Winston's ownership legally assigned to you 'may' forgo the CITES requirements.

FYI: To the Membership of Parrot Forums and those just reading! Please get a Will and include your Parrot(s) in the Will. Things are only going to become more difficult in the future as CITES sets into place!!!

 

[WinstonToBC]

Thank you both so much. And correct... no will was done, but everyone does know that Winston is to be with me which they all support 100%. After I read the suggestion on having a paper saying I have ownership of Winston, I messaged my brother as he happens to be a lawyer. So, I will get this done even if it is to just have another document when crossing the border into Canada. The friend who is currently visiting him to feed and water, is giving him fresh foods. But, the lady he will be going to told me in detail about the Eclectus diet and she will also write up a plan for me. She will give him lots of attention. She actually used to groom him so she knows who he is. Winston is a sweet fellow. He loves to talk and give kisses.

The plan is for me to fly down and then fly him up with me. He will be with me in the cabin. It is the grey area that concerns me. Any other info and tips is very much appreciated. I would rather have too much info than not enough.

 

[LordTriggs]

very sorry to hear about your parents

you seem to have a good idea of the stuff needed and your brother being a lawyer should help in speeding things along with forms and what-not

Being that when you go back over the border he'll be legally registered on the papers as your pet it should just follow the same rules as someone going and buying one. A good idea right now would be to find a CAV for you to use in future and see if they can give you any info. Also writing to your local governing body to ask should offer some extra insight (they wrote the dang laws anyway!)

As for the CITES form I believe it's the Article 10 certificate that you're needing. Hopefully your parents kept a folder for Winston with all his important stuff like his hatch certificate ETC, if they did then the article 10 should be with that. If not then maybe try contacting CITES and ask what to do, I'm sure you're not the first person to not have the certificate

Hope to see some pictures of winston in the future

 

[LordTriggs]

................................................................

 

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums, I hope member expertise and advice will assist you during a difficult time. My condolences for the loss of your father; hope your step-mom will improve.

My only suggestion to add to the links provided by plumsmum2005 is to visit a local CBSA office? Sometimes making a personal contact helps distill the process into something more cogent.
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) - Home

 

[SailBoat]

When you speak next to your Brother, please ask him to develop into the Ownership Transfer Document a statement regarding Winston's age. I am not a Legal Wordsmith so something like:

Winston, a XX year old, Eclectus Parrot was purchased by (your Father's name) in the year (XXXX) and lived with him until his passing (Date) at which time he (Winston) became the property of (your Mother In Law's Name). As requested by (your Father's name) that if your (Mother In Law's name) becomes unable to care for Winston, (Your Name) would be come the rightful owner.

If your Father took Winston to a Vet, please work to obtain any paperwork from them to establish age and ownership of Winston. If the individual that provided Winston with grooming has any documents that also support Winston's age and his Ownership this will also be helpful.

CITIES Ownership and age documentation began on 2 January 2017. From that date forward, all new hatched CITIES Classified Parrots must have a document trail. With older Parrots, proof of ownership and that the Parrot was hatched prior to that date is required to prove that CITIES birth documents are not required. Hence, the dating in the Paperwork that your Brother is developing and any documents from a Vet and /or the groomer is helpful /needed. Please take a look at Article 10 certificate to see if it applies.

NOTE: Words are very important when dealing with Governments!!!
- You are Winston's Owner! You are returning to Canada with 'Your' pet!!!
- The document set provides proof of said ownership!!!
- The document set provides proof that Winston is older that one year!!!

Please make Contact with a Florida based 'Certified Avian Vet' and get a 'Healthy Parrot Certificate' It can take 60+ days to get this document, so do not put it off until the last minute! This document must be signed by a Certified Avian Vet!!! Please assure the document includes a photo of Winston and has his name and age on the document (this should all be common practice for a CAV).

NOTE: Healthy Parrot Certificate has a very specific life!!! After a given date, you will have to repeat the tests!

*** The Airline that you will be flying with can and are of great help! They can provide a great amount of information on what is required both by them and both Governments involved! The are very motivated, since the last thing they need is a Parrot that is reject for lack or missing documents and having to fly it back to the US where the same problem is likely to occur.

- Remember 'Words Matter' when talking to Government and Airline Staff!!!

 

[WinstonToBC]

Wow! Thank you all so mich for the info. I will ask the lady who he will be with about her vet. I believe he is an avian vet. Once I get import papers I have three months to get him so getting the health check sounds crucial now. I hope to hear back from her as to what she fiund out. I will have my brother look for papers. My dad got him as a baby, so am sure he had papers. The question being wjere they are. But I do know the grroomer pace and cet, so can contact them for dates. It will show he is older. My dad got him when I was in high school! I will phome border services to see what they do when I arrive. I want him woth me now.

 

[WinstonToBC]

As for a picture... I took this of him when I was was with my dad right before his passing. Winston was quite stressed as my stepmom went with my dad to hospice so Winston was alone for a couple of weeks. I walked by his cage and he started waving at me. Such a sweet boy.

 

[LordTriggs]

aw he's adorable! And clearly well cared for!

Hope you're ready for him to run your life!

 

[WinstonToBC]

Very true! My hope is he doesn't squawk all the time. I suspect he will love the voices of my daughters. And my oldest plays the guitar and sings so he will love that. She is super excited as she loves birds. She will go on hikes and when she hears a bird will tell you what kind. And no fear when handling parrots. Can't wait. He needs family.

 

[LordTriggs]

sounds like you have a good family for him, just remember to give him time when gets home. It'll all be very new and upsetting for him

 

[Scott]

As for a picture... I took this of him when I was was with my dad right before his passing. Winston was quite stressed as my stepmom went with my dad to hospice so Winston was alone for a couple of weeks. I walked by his cage and he started waving at me. Such a sweet boy.

Winston is a beautiful bird in need of some love! He will also represent a sort of bond with your dad.

 

[WinstonToBC]

I spoke to the lady who is helpijg me. She is waiting on one more contact to give her some info. I am hoping it is something good!

 

[Jen5200]

Sorry to hear about your dad and step mom. Winston is a beautiful boy, and he's going to be a wonderful addition to your family once he settles in. It sounds like it will be a bit of a process to get him moved - but I admire you for being willing to tackle it! I hope you'll keep us updated as you go thru the process, my fingers are crossed that all goes smoothly.

 

[WinstonToBC]

Thank you so much for all the positive comments. I am beginning the process this week. Looks like I need the Canadian import papers done before the CITES export as CITES needs the import proof. My only concern is timing as I have three months to get my boy up to Canada once the import has been issued. And, airlines charge so much more on last minute flights. I was hoping to get the flight arranged three months prior to going.

I looked online for pet relocation services but no luck. There doesn't seem to be much for birds. Looking for all options. A family friend sent me a video of Winston this morning. I want him up here now.

 

[Katu]

Good luck. Please keep us updated. I hope it all goes smoothly for you.

 

[WinstonToBC]

Woot woot. New info. I phoned border services at the airport I will be entering Canada through. He said when going through customs they will ask me only two things:
1. Do I have Canadian import papers?
2. Proof of ownership. He said if it isn't in a will to have a legal document stating the bird was gifted to me by my late father.

So... on to doing apps for US export and Canada import.

 

[WinstonToBC]

Winston is at his temporary home until I get down there. He has already given the lady lots of kisses and cuddles. His cage has been scrubbed and he was groomed: bath, wings, and nails. I have measurements of his old cage so will be looking for a new one. He is in a separate room with another male Ekkie. Now on to paperwork and timing it just right.