Pet import requirements for Canada

Canada at a glance

The detail

YYZ, YVR, YUL, YMX, YYJ, YOW, and 31 other listed airports are on the arrival list for pets heading to Canada. Canada, located in North America, is surrounded by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the United States to the south, the Pacific Ocean and the U.S. [Import Permit](https://in spection.canada.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/pets/dogs/commercial-imports-8-months/fact-sheet/eng/1620070961994/1620070962447) required for….

Import requirements

1 Cat/dog must be at least 8 weeks of age.

Commercial dogs under 8 months of age must wait for 28 days prior to entering Canada

[Inspection](https://in spection.canada.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/pets/eng/1326600389775/1326600500578)

Changes to dog imports

[Commercial dogs from countries at high-risk for dog rabies](https://in spection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/rabies/notice-in dustry) are no longer permitted entry into Canada.

For ANY animal entering Canada check the CFIA AIRS website. Be careful to check the Latin Name.

For anyone looking for the import requirements for a particular species can access the [Automated](https://www.in spection.gc.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/plant-and-plant-product-imports/airs/eng/1300127512994/1300127627409) [ Import Reference System](https://www.in spection.gc.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/plant-and-plant-product-imports/airs/eng/1300127512994/1300127627409) (and it will give an immediate and current requirement).

[Bringing animals to Canada: Importing and travelling with pets - Canadian Food Inspection Agency](https://in spection.canada.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/pets/eng/1326600389775/1326600500578)

[Automated Import Reference System](https://in spection.canada.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/plant-and-plant-product-imports/airs/eng/1300127512994/1300127627409)

[Online Tool](https://in spection.canada.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/pets/eng/1326600389775/1326600500578)

[Import Policies](https://in spection.canada.ca/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/imports/import-policies/live-animals/eng/1320833881215/1320833972327)

List of Brokers

When you arrive in Canada you'll need the following:

• proof of the dog's age (you get this from a veterinarian); and
• the dog appears healthy and meets humane transportation requirements

A personal pet dog is defined as a dog that is in tended to live with the owner, who must also be the importer, who is bringing the animal into Canada as a personal pet dog. The dog is not in tended for transfer of ownership or fostering upon its arrival into Canada, or commercial purposes such as reproduction, breeding or sale of of fspring, showing or exhibition, sale of germplasm (in cludes semen, oocytes and embryos), sale of the dog itself, scientific use or research, or special training status (regardless of whether a profit is made or a transfer of funds occurs).

The owner must be the importer of the dog and be able to provide documentation that clearly demonstrates they own the dog and obtained ownership prior to it entering Canada upon request.

If you are bringing a dog to Canada to give to someone else, to foster, to adopt out, to breed, or for other commercial purposes, change your selection from "personal" to "commercial" to get the correct import requirements.

If the dog will be travelling alone or accompanied by a person/agent that has been authorized by the owner to accompany the dog to Canada on their behalf (for example, a flight companion, family member, friend, etc.), change your selection from "accompanied by owner" to "unaccompanied by owner" to get the correct import requirements.

A hard copy of all required original documentation may be requested during the in spection, and the importer must be able to provide such records if asked. As such, it is strongly recommended to travel with a physical original copy of all required documentation.

[Importing Pets](https://in spection.canada.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/pets/eng/1326600389775/1326600500578)

Effective August 1, 2024, Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip; and Timor-Leste will be added to the list of [countries at high-risk for dog rabies](https://in spection.canada.ca/en/node/2108) and all commercial dogs arriving to Canada from these countries will no longer be permitted entry. Ensure you do not load or export commercial dogs to Canada from these countries if they will arrive on or after August 1, 2024.

As of September 28, 2022, the entry of commercial dogs into Canada from countries at high-risk for dog rabies will be prohibited until further notice. As of this date, commercial dogs from [countries at high-risk for dog rabies (opens in new window)](https://in spection.canada.ca/eng/1656375417730/1656375418777) will not be permitted to enter Canada and import permits will no longer be issued. Commercial dogs in clude dogs in tended for purposes such as being given/transferred to another person, resale, adoption, fostering, breeding, show or exhibition and research.

• [Notice to in dustry: New measure prohibiting the entry of commercial dogs from countries at high-risk for dog rabies (opens in new window)](https://in spection.canada.ca/eng/1656424333818/1656424334393)

Commercial dogs are defined as dogs being brought to Canada for purposes such as:

• giving it to someone else, transferring ownership
• further resale
• breeding, in cluding selling/distributing the of fspring
• use in shows or exhibitions
• further adoption
• fostering (by an in dividual or animal welfare organization)
• in tended for an animal welfare organization
• special "training status" (for example, to be trained as an assistance dog)
• use in scientific research
• Canadian commercial dogs returning to Canada

[Fact sheet “Then and Now”](https://in spection.canada.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/pets/dogs/commercial-imports-8-months/fact-sheet/eng/1620070961994/1620070962447)

[Overview](https://in spection.canada.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/pets/dogs/commercial-imports-8-months/criteria-for-quarantine-facilities/overview-of-the-process/eng/1628293690023/1628293690492) of the process for importing dogs less than 8 months of age for breeding or show/exhibition (permanent stay) from the USA

Examples for the Veterinary certificates of health and kennel of origin certificates

NA

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) may refer any animal presented at the border for secondary in spection by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Expect delays.

OTHER PETS. Some animals may require in spection by the CFIA at ports of entry into Canada. [Notably rabbits, birds, reptiles etc.]. Refer to the CFIA AIRS page for ANY ANIMALS coming from ANY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN. A CFIA in spector is not on duty at all times at ports of entry and may be called when required. Importers should use the [Automated Import](https://www.in spection.gc.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/plant-and-plant-product-imports/airs/eng/1300127512994/1300127627409)[ Reference System](https://www.in spection.gc.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/plant-and-plant-product-imports/airs/eng/1300127512994/1300127627409) (AIRS) tool to determine if a CFIA in spection is required. If a CFIA in spection is required, importers should make these arrangements in advance of their arrival by contacting the CFIA District Office closest to their first point of entry into Canada to schedule the in spection. It is the responsibility of the importer to contact the CFIA in advance of travel to ensure that the in spection can be carried out without delays.

Identification and microchip

Pets should be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 pet microchip that is 15 digits and non-encrypted. Pets MicroChip number must be present on all Documents

For dogs and cats entering Canada from countries considered rabies-free, a Rabies Vaccination Certificate (EU Pet Passport accepted) or a health certificate is required. The certificate must be in English or French and completed by a licensed veterinarian in the originating country. Additionally, dogs under 8 months imported under a commercial category, or destined for adoption, must have a microchip. While not mandatory for imported personal pets, microchipping is highly recommended.

[Inspection](https://in spection.canada.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/pets/eng/1326600389775/1326600500578)

Rabies and vaccinations

Rabies vaccination is required if the dog is 3 months of age or older. If vaccinated against rabies, the accompanying veterinary certificate of health must state this and list the date and type of vaccine used.

[Countries at high-risk for dog rabies - in spection.canada.ca](https://in spection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/rabies/countries-high-risk-dog)

Importers bringing dogs to Canada from one of the listed countries should consult this list and the import requirements in the [Automated Import Reference System (AIRS)](https://in spection.canada.ca/eng/1300127512994/1326599324773) regularly. If you have any questions, please contact a local [CFIA animal health office](https://in spection.canada.ca/eng/1313255382836/1313256130232).)

you will need:

Valid rabies vaccination certificate / booklet / pet passport

There is no waiting period after the vaccination for personal pets

[Online Tool](https://in spection.canada.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/pets/eng/1326600389775/1326600500578)

[Commercial dogs](https://in spection.canada.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/pets/dogs/commercial-imports-8-months/notice-to-in dustry-2021-05-04/eng/1620069963644/1620069964365) (under 8 months of age) – 28 days waiting period.

Valid Rabies vaccination is mandatory for the entry.

Commercial dogs under 8 months of age must be [vaccinated](https://in spection.canada.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/pets/dogs/commercial-imports-8-months/fact-sheet/eng/1620070961994/1620070962447) for distemper, hepatitis, parvo virus, and parainfluenza no earlier than 6 weeks of age.

Additional vaccination requirements might be stated on the import permit (if applicable)

Tests and treatments

No tests required for Dogs or Cats to enter Canada but expect some tests may be necessary on some other species depending on the place of origin. See CFIA AIRS.

Internal and external parasite [treatments](https://in spection.canada.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/pets/dogs/commercial-imports-8-months/fact-sheet/eng/1620070961994/1620070962447) are required for all commercial dogs under 8 months of age. Personal pets do not require treatments for the import.

Health certificate and permits

[Health Certificate](https://in spection.canada.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/pets/dogs/commercial-imports-8-months/certificates/eng/1628283257355/1628283977913) required for commercial dogs under 8 months of age

There are no health regulations when it comes to an import of a pet snake. However, if the snake is a species protected under CITES, a CITES export permit from a country of origin would be required.There might also be some restrictions that were posed by the province/city where the pet is in tended to be imported. For example, the following kind of snakes are prohibited from being kept in Montreal:

• snake whose length, at adult age, reaches more than three meters
• venomous snakes

[Import Permit](https://in spection.canada.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/pets/dogs/commercial-imports-8-months/fact-sheet/eng/1620070961994/1620070962447) required for commercial dogs under 8 months of age, ferrets, birds, exotic pets.

Import permits are issued direct from the CFIA. They are not available on a website, but I can provide a sample puppy import permit.

Dogs: assistive, personal or commercial

A service dog is defined as a dog that provides a distinct, trained service to in dividuals who would otherwise be limited in their ability to perform certain tasks.

An assistive service dog is exempted from all import requirements if:

• it is accompanied by the person to whom the dog is assigned and
• documentation is presented to support that the animal is certified as a service animal by a recognized organization

Your assigned assistive service dog is considered a commercial import if:

• it is travelling with another person or
• it is in special “training status”

To determine if your dog falls under an assistive “service dog”, a “personal” or “commercial” import, refer to [Importing or Travelling with Domestic Dogs](http://www.in spection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/imports/policies/live-animals/pets/dogs/eng/1331876172009/1331876307796).

Quarantine

Dogs and cats that are being imported as personal pets are not required to stay in quarantine.

Importers of commercial dogs less than 8 months of age under the breeding, show/exhibition (permanent stay), and resale/adoption end uses are required to secure a post-import quarantine facility that has been pre-approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

This requirement applies to imports from all countries entering Canada by air.

All new quarantine facilities must be approved by the CFIA prior to the issuance of an import permit. Previously approved quarantine facilities must be re-approved by the CFIA on an annual basis or anytime there are significant changes.

The CFIA must conduct an on-site in spection before the issuance of an import permit or, if the importer imports on a regular basis, at least once every 3 months.

[Criteria for quarantine facilities](https://in spection.canada.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/pets/dogs/commercial-imports-8-months/criteria-for-quarantine-facilities/eng/1620147749836/1620147750461) for commercial dogs less than 8 months of age (breeding, show/exhibition (permanent stay), and resale/adoption end uses) entering Canada by air

Restrictions and banned breeds

Dangerous & Banned Breeds In parts of Canada (Owner must to contact their local municipality to verify their bylaws.)

• Pit Bull.
• American Pit Bull.
• Staffordshire Bull.
• American Staffordshire.

[Commercial dogs](https://in spection.canada.ca/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/rabies/notice-to-in dustry/eng/1656424333818/1656424334393) from countries at high-risk for dog rabies will no longer be permitted entry into

Canada. [List of countries](https://in spection.canada.ca/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/rabies/countries-at-high-risk-for-dog-rabies/eng/1656375417730/1656375418777)

Commercial dogs can in clude, but are not limited to dogs for resale, adoption, fostering, breeding, show or exhibition, research, and other purposes.

Pit Bulls and some other ‘strong breeds’ are restricted or banned in specific places throughout Canada, particularly ONTARIO (notably Toronto and Ottawa airports). But the list is extensive. See the website shown.

Four types of dogs arespecifically identified by the Act:

Pit Bull Terrier

Japanese Tosa

Dogo Argentino

Fila Brasileiro.

Wild cats are not permitted for import

Low Temperatures:

Airlines also have temperature restrictions for cold weather, typically below 45°F (7°C). This is because pets can become chilled or hypothermic in cold conditions, particularly during long flights or layovers.

High Temperatures:

Many airlines have a cutoff temperature, often 85°F (29.5°C), above which they will not accept pets for transport in the baggage compartment. This is because the baggage compartment may not be adequately ventilated or temperature-controlled, making it unsafe for pets in hot weather. If temperatures are high at the departure, layover, or destination airport, pets may be refused.

Customs, agents, and airports

Highly Recommended

Customs Broker Required, if KLM/AF is chosen to transport a pet.

A destination agent is not typically required for Canada.

Airports:

• Toronto Pearson International Airport, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (IATA: YYZ, ICAO: CYYZ)
• Vancouver International Airport, Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia (IATA: YVR, ICAO: CYVR)
• Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, Dorval, Quebec (IATA: YUL, ICAO: CYUL)
• Calgary International Airport, Calgary, Alberta (IATA: YYC, ICAO: CYYC)
• Edmonton International Airport,Edmonton, Alberta (IATA: YEG, ICAO: CYEG)
• Ottawa International Airport, Ottawa, Ontario (IATA: YOW, ICAO: CYOW)
• Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, Winnipeg, Manitoba (IATA: YWG, ICAO: CYWG)
• Halifax Stanfield International Airport, Goffs, Nova Scotia (IATA: YHZ, ICAO: CYHZ)
• Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Toronto, Ontario (IATA: YTZ, ICAO: CYTZ)
• Abbotsford International Airport, Abbotsford, British Columbia (IATA: YXX, ICAO: CYXX)
• Kelowna International Airport, Kelowna, British Columbia (IATA: YLW, ICAO: CYLW)
• Gander International Airport, Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador (IATA: YQX, ICAO: CYQX)
• St. John's International Airport, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador (IATA: YYT, ICAO: CYYT)

Airports listed on this destination file: YYZ, YVR, YUL, YMX, YYJ, YOW, YHM, YYC, YEG, YMM, YXY, YHZ, XEY, YYG, YQM, YQW, YZF, YQR, YXE, YQU, YGK, YXU, YAM, YQG, YWL, YWG, YFC, YFB, ZBF, MSA, YYT, YQB, YQT, YTS, YSB, YYB, YLW.

A private owner may clear their own pets at Customs.

If they cannot be present a A customs broker is required. List on this website. The IPATA member (or the pet importer) must provide a POA Power of Attorney for the Broker to act for them.

Export notes

This depends on the country of Destination.

Where there are no bilateral agreements there are two general form that may be used for dogs and cats. The bilingual for French English is most generally used, but if the country of destination is Spanish speaking there is a trilingual form tat must be used.

The Canadian International Health Certificate may be used to accompany pet dogs and cats to other countries. This certificate should be printed on legal paper (8.5" X 14"), however letter sized paper (8.5" X 11"), will be accepted.

• Bilingual -[Canadian International Health Certificate - PDF (178 kb)](http://Canadian International Health Certificate - PDF (178 kb))

• Trilingual - [Canadian International Health Certificate - PDF (193 kb)](http://Canadian International Health Certificate - PDF (193 kb))

Please note that this certificate is being provided for use where appropriate. It is imperative that you contact the appropriate veterinary authorities or the embassy for the country you are travelling to in order to obtain the current import requirements.

If this document meets the requirements set out by the importing country, then it may be downloaded, completed by a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Canada and then presented to an of ficial government veterinarian to be endorsed. There will be a fee applied for this service.

There are countries/zones for which the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has either negotiated specific veterinary health certificates, or where the country has provided their own health certificate. Therefore, the Canadian International Health Certificate should not be used for those countries.

• [Listed by country / jurisdiction](http://Listed by country / jurisdiction)

For further in formation or clarification on this procedure, please contact the relevant[CFIA Office](http://CFIA Office) for the province in which you reside.

Where Bilateral Agreements have been made between Canada and another Country these Export Health Certificates are shown here … E.g. click ‘E’ for the EU. This gives access to the ‘commercial’ and ‘non-commercial’ EU certificates.

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

Canadian Wildlife Service

Canada - CITES Management AuthorityTelephone: +1 (613) 321 18 84

Fax:+1 (819) 938 41 46

Websites

[For in formation on Canadian CITES Species Listings and other CITES-related info…](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/wildlife-plants-species/in ternational-trade-protected-animals-plants.html)

Email: cites@ec.gc.ca

Mailing address

Environment Canada

Ottawa, Ontario

Organe de gestion CITES - Canada

Service canadien de la faune

Environnement Canada

OTTAWA, Ontario

K1A 0H3

Travelling with animals Exotic pets: check before you import.

We suggest you verify if the animal is listed as a protected species under the [Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ](https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/convention-in ternational-trade-endangered-species.html)(CITES) controls. Travelers are responsible for determining if their pet is subject to CITES controls and ensuring that they possess the appropriate CITES permits/certificates for importing them into Canada. Furthermore, the export requirements for the pet of the exporting country must be met. Examples of exotic pets:

· Parrots

· Lizards

· Turtles

· Snakes

The following note is being added to the USDA APHIS Pet Travel Website page for pet birds traveling from the United States to Canada. This is not a new requirement, however, it was recently clarified that this requirement applies to all live birds and live poultry, in cluding hatching eggs and pet birds.

Starting December 4, 2024, shipments will be turned away if they arrive without the required map document.

Note: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) prohibits the movement of all live birds (in cluding pet birds) which originate from, or transit through trade restriction zones established due to detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in poultry.

Exporters are advised to plan transit routes in advance of travel to avoid transit through restricted zones or otherwise risk delays or rejection of shipments.

Exporters MUST provide documentation to demonstrate the route of travel to Canadian border/port of ficials. This documentation must accompany the health certificate but is NOT endorsed by APHIS. The documentation must in clude:

• a map of the in tended route of transit
• a statement attesting that the consignment has not traveled a route that transited any control zone for HPAI. Example: [Insert Commodity Type, e.g. Hatching eggs] covered by certificate(s) [Insert health certificate number] will travel in a closed conveyance via the following route. To the best of my knowledge, this route does not transit any restriction areas established due to detections of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) in poultry.
• commodity being exported and certificate numbers associated with the shipment
• signature of the accredited veterinarian and date of signature

For birds traveling by air from the United States to Canada, in addition to the guidance above:

• The exporter should provide a map of their route from the place of origin to the first airport, to demonstrate that the first part of their travel does not transit through any restricted zones.
• For any layovers, rather than provide a map of the layover airport, the exporter can in clude a comment that the travel in cludes a second airport in the United States and this second airport is not located in a restricted zone.

For those needing to evaluate routes and generate maps, the Veterinary Services Trade Route Mapping Tool has been developed to support these processes. Follow the steps in the document entitled "Veterinary Services Trade Route Mapping Tool Access Guide" below to access the Trade Route Mapping Tool.

Veterinary Services Trade Route Mapping Tool Access Guide (539.44 KB) - June 2024

https://in spection.canada.ca/en/importing-food-plants-animals/plant-and-plant-product-imports/airs

Use an IPATA member for all Imports and Exports.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has updated the list of countries that are considered as high-risk for rabies caused by canine-variant viruses (dog rabies).

The [list of countries at high-risk for dog rabies](https://in spection.canada.ca/eng/1656375417730/1656375418777) is reviewed regularly and is subject to change. Importers bringing dogs to Canada from one of the listed countries should consult this list and the import requirements in the [Automated Import Reference System (AIRS)](https://in spection.canada.ca/eng/1300127512994/1326599324773) regularly.

If you have any questions, please contact a local [CFIA animal health office](https://in spection.canada.ca/eng/1313255382836/1313256130232).

There are no specific health requirements to move pets between Provinces in Canada. Although, some airlines like Air Canada require a health certificate (must be issued within 10 days of travel)

Official contacts

The contact in formation differs from province to province. Click on the link below to find out the contact in formation of the CFIA office in each province.

Department Name – Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Website

[Provincial Animal Health Offices](http://www.in spection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/of fbure.shtml)

National headquarters

1400 Merivale Road

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0Y9

Toll-free: 1-800-442-2342

Local: 613-773-2342

TTY: 1-800-465-7735

08:00 to 20:00 Eastern time, Monday to Friday Eastern time

CANADA CUSTOMS (CBSA) Canadian Border Services Agency

Travelling with animals

Exotic pets: check before you import

We suggest you verify if the animal is listed as a protected species under the [Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora](https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/convention-in ternational-trade-endangered-species.html) (CITES) controls. Travellers are responsible for determining if their pet is subject to CITES controls and ensuring that they possess the appropriate CITES permits/certificates for importing them into Canada. Furthermore, the export requirements for the pet of the exporting country must be met.

Examples of exotic pets

Parrots

Lizards

Turtles

Snakes

Small wild cats

Disclaimer

Import rules change without much warning. Confirm every vaccine date, test, permit, and crate routing with the destination veterinary authority before you travel. This page is a planning brief for Furry Freight customers, last checked against the IPATA country profile dated 2025-07-11.

Next: measure your dog, find the kennel size, then get a free travel quote. Moving on military orders? PCS moves. Going to Hawaiʻi instead? Hawaiʻi has its own regime.

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