Bringing your beloved pet to Canada requires careful planning and compliance with Canadian import regulations. Whether you’re relocating, traveling for an extended stay, or adopting a pet from another country, this guide will walk you through the steps needed to ensure a smooth and stress-free process.
Step 1: Understand Canada’s Import Requirements
Canada’s pet import regulations vary based on the type of pet, the country of origin, and the pet’s health status. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) oversees the importation of animals, ensuring they meet health and safety standards.
Key Factors to Consider:
- Pet Species: Dogs and cats are the most commonly imported pets. Other species (birds, rabbits, reptiles, etc.) may have different regulations.
- Country of Origin: Requirements differ for pets coming from rabies-free countries versus those with a higher risk of rabies.
- Pet’s Age and Health Status: Puppies under 8-months have different requirements compared to older pets. Ensure your pet is healthy and free of contagious diseases.
Step 2: Prepare Documentation
You’ll need the following documents to import your pet into Canada:
- Rabies Vaccination Certificate:
- Required for dogs and cats over 3 months old.
- The certificate must include the pet’s description, vaccine manufacturer and serial number, vaccination date, and expiration date. Kato was picked up by the dog catcher in 2017 and taken to the Humane Society. The vaccinations they gave him then were still valid when we moved to Ontario in 2019.
- Health Certificate:
- Not always required for personal pets from the U.S., but it’s essential when importing from other countries. The only piece of documentation CBSA asked for when we crossed into Canada for Kato was proof of Rabies vaccination.
- A licensed veterinarian must issue it, confirming that your pet is healthy for travel.
- Import Permit (If Required):
- An import permit may be necessary for exotic pets or animals from specific countries.
- Contact the CFIA to determine if your pet needs an import permit. Kato did not need an import permit.
- Microchip Information (Optional but Recommended):
A microchip is highly recommended to ensure your pet can be identified if lost. Kato was microchipped.
Step 3: Choose the Right Mode of Transport
Pets can be transported to Canada by air, land, or sea. Depending on the distance and your pet’s size, you may have different options.
- By Air: Most airlines have pet travel services, but restrictions and requirements vary. Check with the airline for their pet travel policy, crate size, and health documentation requirements.
- By Land: If traveling from the U.S., you can bring pets by car, but ensure you have all documentation ready for inspection at the border.
- By Sea: Pets traveling by sea must also meet CFIA import requirements.
Crate Requirements: Make sure your pet’s crate is airline-approved and large enough for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
Step 4: Border Inspection and Fees
When you arrive in Canada, your pet will be inspected by a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer.
- Inspection Fees:
- $30 (plus tax) for the first animal.
- $5 (plus tax) for each additional pet in the same shipment.
- Inspection Process: Ensure all documents are ready for inspection. If everything is in order, the process is typically quick and straightforward.
Step 5: Post-Arrival Health Check
Once you’ve successfully entered Canada with your pet, it’s wise to schedule a visit with a local veterinarian. This ensures your pet remains in good health and is up to date with any additional vaccinations required in your province.
Additional Considerations
- Quarantine: Canada does not require quarantine for pets that meet all health and vaccination requirements.
- Travel Restrictions: Some breeds or species may have specific restrictions depending on the province. Pitbulls are restricted in most provinces. Some other breeds are banned in some provinces.
- Adoption or Purchase from Abroad: If you’re adopting a pet internationally, ensure the organization follows ethical practices and the pet meets Canadian import standards.
Importing a dog or other pet to Canada can be straightforward if you prepare in advance and follow the necessary steps. The key is to stay organized, understand the specific requirements for your pet, and ensure you have all documentation ready. By taking these steps, you can make your move to Canada as smooth and stress-free as possible, for both you and your furry friend!
Additional Information:
Border requirements for animals
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers will inspect and can refuse entry, confiscate or detain an animal if:
- it is undeclared, including family pets
- you do not have the necessary permits/certificates
- it is suspected of being sick or infected with a pest or disease
- the animal is transported in a non-humane way and not kept safe from harm and injury
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for establishing import requirements for all animals, including domestic pets and non-traditional pets.
Visit Bringing animals to Canada: importing and travelling with pets for more important information on import information.
The CFIA is also responsible for setting guidelines for the humane transport of all animals. To ensure all animals, including cats, dogs, exotics and reptiles, are transported safely, visit the CFIA webpage Protecting Pets When They Travel.
Personal dogs
A personal dog is a pet that lives or will live with the owner and will not be transferred or given to another person upon arrival. You, as the owner must:
- be the importer of the dog and
- have proper documentation proving that you have ownership
If you are not the owner of the dog or the dog is intended for commercial purposes (which are listed under “Commercial Dog”), it is considered a commercial import.
More information
Travelling with dogs to the US (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)
Assistance dogs
An assistance (service) dog is:
- a dog that provides a distinct service to the individual it is assigned to (designated handler) and
- has been certified and trained by an organization accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation or Assistance Dogs International
Assistance dogs do not include therapy animals, companionship animals, emotional support animals, or comfort animals.
If your assistance dog falls within the personal category, it is exempted from the rabies vaccination requirements.
If your assigned assistance dog is travelling with another person, or is in special “training status” it will be considered a commercial import.
Commercial dogs
Your assigned assistance dog is considered a commercial import if:
Commercial dogs include dogs that are intended to be transferred/given to another person and intended for purposes such as:
- dogs used for breeding, including selling/distributing the offspring, further resale, shows or exhibitions, or scientific research
- dogs that have special “training status”
- dogs intended for further adoption, an animal welfare organization, or fostering, which includes rescue dogs (by an individual or animal welfare organization)
- Canadian commercial dogs returning to Canada
At this time, the CFIA will not issue import permits for commercial dogs from countries at high-risk for dog rabies. As a result, the CBSA will deny such dogs entry to Canada
If your dog is more than 8-months old, when you arrive in Canada you will need:
- a valid rabies vaccination certificate; and
- the dog appears healthy and meets humane transportation requirements
A personal pet dog is defined as a dog that is intended 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 intended for transfer of ownership or fostering upon its arrival into Canada, or commercial purposes such as reproduction, breeding or sale of offspring, showing or exhibition, sale of germplasm (includes 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.
Note: other federal departments/agencies (for example, Canada Border Services Agency) may have additional requirements if an owner/importer has authorized a person/agent to accompany their import to Canada on their behalf. It is the owner/importer’s responsibility to comply with any other relevant requirements.
A hard copy of all required original documentation may be requested during the inspection, 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.
If your dog is less than 3-months old, you will need:
- 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 intended 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 intended for transfer of ownership or fostering upon its arrival into Canada, or commercial purposes such as reproduction, breeding or sale of offspring, showing or exhibition, sale of germplasm (includes 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 inspection, 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.
If your dog is between 3-months and 8-months, you will need:
- a valid rabies vaccination certificate; and
- the dog appears healthy and meets humane transportation requirements
A personal pet dog is defined as a dog that is intended 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 intended for transfer of ownership or fostering upon its arrival into Canada, or commercial purposes such as reproduction, breeding or sale of offspring, showing or exhibition, sale of germplasm (includes 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 inspection, 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.
If your cat is older than 3-months, you will need:
- Valid rabies vaccination certificate; or
- veterinary certificate
If your cat is younger than 3-months, you will need:
- proof of the cat’s age
Get the importation requirements for your animal here: https://inspection.canada.ca/en/importing-food-plants-animals/pets
