I would appreciate feedback from anyone who has brought a dog with them from India. I know many landlords do not allow pets and there are strict rules about taking a dog for a walk, etc. Anyway, I would like to weigh the pros and cons since my children are very attached to our pet and leaving her behind would cause considerable trauma

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The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up - - Paul Valery

Hi Margo,

Please check out the following link

http://gocanada.about.com/library/blpetsother.htm

This should give you the required information regarding the legalities involved with importing a dog into Canada.

As far as the pros and cons are concerned, all I can tell you is that it's definetly more difficult to have a dog in Canada than it is in India, but it is not impossible. The only real problem will be finding an Apartment that allows pets and belive it or not there are many that do and you can find them online. Some may require a "Pet Deposit" on top of the regular security deposit, but it usually isn't much.

Thus, the real choice for you comes down to this: Leave the pet behind and cause trauma to the Kids or Take the Pet with you and face a few initial inconveniences. You may also want to consider what to do with the pet incase you do decide to leave it behind.

One more thing, here in North America, desis tend to put on weight cuz they get used to travelling everywhere on four wheels. Having a pet would be a good way to keep that weight in check cuz you'd get daily excercize walking the dog

Hope you find this helpful,

Regards,

DT

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Microsoft - Which end of the stick do you want today?

Thank you Desi Tiger, your mail was really reassuring. There are a few options like giving her to a friend, etc. but we are sure she will fret. Thanks for the site address, we will begin working on it.

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The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up - - Paul Valery

1. Remember that you can bring a pet ONLY when you land. Not afterwards.
2. Most apartment buildings in Toronto allow dogs and there are hundreds of thousands of them in this city.
3. You will need vaccination and prior arrangements with airline

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DIE HARD !

I am not sure on this - but a dog (or a cat) usually cost about $200 per month.

Keep that in mind!

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A Proud Indian Canadian

Garvo, I don't think $200 is a right amount. We have 2 dogs (1 Big 1 Small) and a fat Cat and though we spoil them silly, we still don't spend more than $40-$50 a month. Occasional visits to the Doc cost on an average $40 but those happen maybe once evry 2-3 months. Unless there is some "Federal Tax" for having a dog that I am unaware of, I think that $15-$20 a month should be the estimate for having a small dog.

Regards,

DT

Note:- All figures shown are in US $. Current Exchange rate is $1.32

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Microsoft - Which end of the stick do you want today?

Thanks for the update!

This is what I was told by my neighbour. I don't have any pets so I could be wrong.

However this is Canada and not USA so there should be some differences. Any dog-owner from Canada can comment on this?

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A Proud Indian Canadian