(Answers to Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Passports: They keep postponing the date that passports will be needed to drive across the border. It's now June 2009, and they say there will be no more postponements, so keep that in mind for Ratstravaganza 2010. Although you don't need a passport to drive to Canada yet, you do need one if you plan to fly. Until the passport rule comes into effect, all you need to drive across the border is a birth certificate and a piece of photo ID such as a driver's license.
2. Crossing the border with rats: There are no rules prohibiting taking domestic rats across the border in either direction and you do not require a veterinary health certificate. Unfortunately you don't always get a border guard or customs agent who knows this. To avoid delays coming in to Canada, I always print up the page on the Canadian government website that states "Rodents, other than those identified in a) and b) above, can be imported into Canada without an import permit, health certificate, or inspection(1)" and I highlight that sentence with a highlighter. You may never need to show it, but for me this page has come in handy many times! At the very least it can save you having to waste valuable time waiting in the office while they call someone to find out. You can find that page here:
Crossing the Canadian border with rats
For crossing the border into the USA, a similar page can be found here:
Crossing the US border with rats
Also, make sure that you have the packaging, or a photocopied list of ingredients, for any rat food or other pet food you might have with you. If you don't, it can cause considerable delay while they try to figure out whether it contains any banned substances, such as Canadian beef. If you can't convince them that it doesn't, it could be confiscated.
You might also want to print up the page on the RatsPacNW website with the basic information about the show. Canadians always do that when traveling to a rat show in the US. Again it can save a lot of time, especially if you get a border guard/customs agent who doesn't believe there is such thing as a rat show. (It happens!)
3. Money: When paying show entry or registration fees, in order to save time and brain melt down (mine!), American money will be accepted at par. If you wish to save on the exchange rate, it would be best to convert to Canadian funds. If you have a bank card, you can use it as you normally would in any ATM in Canada. This is probably the easiest way to get Canadian funds, at the best possible exchange rate, and with the least amount of service charges. As at home, you will find ATMs in almost every gas station, grocery or convenience store, and of course at any bank.
4. Travel times: It's about a 3 hour drive from Seattle to New Westminster. New Westminster is on the BC Mainland about 20 minutes north of the border, so unlike some past BC Shows, you don't need to take a ferry to get there. You should be prepared for a border line up though. Peak weekend travel times often have a wait of 45 minutes to 2 hours at the border. It's not usually as bad in winter as in summer though.
5. Have a question that you don't see answered here? Please email Lizzy.