Canada

Pet Entry Requirements for Canada

Is Quarantine Required for Pets in Canada?

What Additional Information Do I Need for Canada?

• Other Information:

  Not specified

• Commercial Transport:

  See Note above for restrictions on commercial transport of dogs from countries classified as high-rabies. Dogs imported for the following purposes will be classified as commercial: Dogs being gifted, given or transferred to another personDogs being imported to Canada for resale, adoption, fostering or breedingDogs imported for participation in shows or competitions (unless entering from the United States)*Dogs being imported for exhibition and research *If proof can be provided that your dog is entering Canada temporarily and is registered in a competition, show or a trial organized by a recognized association and meets all other requirements, an import permit is not required. If importing a dog under commercial regulations, the owner must apply for an import permit at least 30 days in advance. All dogs entering Canada under 8 months for commercial purposes must enter Canada as air cargo, if flying. An agent will be required to book transport. All dogs imported under commercial regulations fromcountries at high-risk for dog rabieswill not currently be permitted entry into Canada. Commercial transport will include but are not limited to dogs for change of ownership, resale, adoption, fostering, breeding, show or exhibition, research, and other purposes. This includes dogs that have resided in or have visited high-rabies countries within the past 6 months. Cats are not included in this ban.

• Entering Canada by Air:

  Pets can enter Canada at international airports in many cities including but not limited to Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Ontario, Quebec and Montreal. Dogs and cats entering Canada from all countries except the United States will be subject to inspection. There is a fee of $30.00 USD for this service for the first animal and $5.00 USD for each additional pet. Proof of rabies vaccination will be required. All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry. If your pet is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at the importer’s expense. Related:Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?

• Breeds Banned by Canada:

  Although Canada does not ban specific breeds from entry, there are some province and city restrictions. The American Staffordshire Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier and their crosses are banned from entering or transiting the province of Ontario. The City of Toronto also bans the breeds. Transiting Toronto is not permitted on WestJet. When transiting Toronto, advance notice must be provided and an agent must transit your dog. Also note that these regulations do not include any wolf hybrids, Savannah or Bengal cats, unless proof of being 5th generation removed from the pedigree, or other non-domesticated animals. The following dogs or their mixes are banned in Winnipeg: American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier.

• What is a Pet Passport?:

  We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Canada pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering this country.This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for EU-resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter Canada will depend on the age of your pet and whether the transport is non-commercial or commercial.

• Find a Licensed Veterinarian:

  Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.

• Canada Pet Import Requirements:

  All steps required to conform to Canada pet import requirements must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.

• Medically Certified Guide Dogs:

  Assistance dogs that are endorsed as a guide, hearing or other service dog are not subject to any restrictions for importationwhen the person importing the dog is the user of the dog and accompanies the dog to Canada.

• Exporting Canadian Resident Pets:

  All resident pets leaving the Canada must send relevant paperwork required for the destination country to the State CFIA office. The documents must be endorsed by the CFIA prior to leaving the country. Transiting pets whose permits or health certificates have expired should obtain these documents in Canada and have them endorsed prior to leaving the country.

• Quarantine for pets entering Canada:

  There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Canada if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.

• Importing Puppies and Kittens to Canada:

  Puppies and kittens under 3 months of age and not vaccinated for rabies entering Canada are exempt from import requirements if accompanied by their owners. See above for information regarding puppies and kittens between the age of 3 and 8 months. Related:Transporting with a puppy

• Importing Birds and Other Animals to Canada:

  Rabbits entering Canada from the United States do not require documentation although they may be inspected by border officials. When originating from another country, rabbits will need an import permit and will be subject to quarantine. Rabbits must enter Canada with the owner. They must be accompanied with a statement that they have always been in the owner’s possession as a pet. You should contact the local CFIA office in the province into which your rabbit will be imported for additional details. Rodents (guinea pigs, gerbils, mice, rats, chinchillas and hamsters) do not need a permit or health certificate to enter Canada. Ferrets over the age of three months entering Canada from the United States must be accompanied by proof of current rabies vaccination. If entering Canada from any other country, an import permit issued by the local CFIA office in the destination province is required.

• Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements:

  These rules apply to the transport of domestic dog and cats including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO CANADA below. IMPORTANT NOTE: Any dog traveling for commercial purposes (see definition below) to Canada will need to originate from a country that is not classified by Canada as high rabies. Related: Countries classified by Canada as high rabies –https://www.wagsandwanders.com/rabies-high-risk-countries/

• Entering Canada with puppies under three (3) months of age:

  Dogs and cats under three (3) months of age are exempt from import requirements if entering Canada with their owner. Proof of age and ownership should be available.

• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):

  If your pet is not a dog, cat or ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, you should verify that it is not protected under theConvention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).  You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations. Related:Search the CITES databaseorSearch the Species+ database Related:Read more about CITES

• Accompanied dogs over 8 months of age and cats over 3 months of age entering Canada from countries Canada considers as rabies free*:

  Your dog or cat will need either proof of current rabies vaccination (EU Pet Passport is accepted) OR a health certificate in English or French and completed by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country. The health certificate must clearly identify your pet and a governmental veterinarian must state that rabies has not existed in the originating country for the six-month period immediately preceding the shipment of your pet; and, your pet has been in that country for the six-month period or since birth. A licensed veterinarian in your country can also do this as long as the certificate is endorsed by a governmental authority responsible for the import and export of live animals. The same requirements apply to dogs or cats that originated from Canada and are being returned directly from a country designated by the Minister as having been free from rabies and living there for not less than six (6) months.

Related Resources