Moving to Canada with your furry friend? Bringing your pet into Canada requires planning but the import requirements to Canada for personal pets are not difficult to meet.
Below is a clear, step-by-step guide to importing cats and dogs into Canada.
A guide to pet relocation to Canada: What you need to know before you fly
Canada has specific health and entry requirements for pets to protect public and animal health. Whether you’re bringing your own cat or dog, it’s your responsibility to meet these requirements before arrival to avoid delays or refusal at the border.
Ban on commercial import of dogs
Since September 2022, the entry of commercial dogs from high-risk rabies countries is banned. The category commercial dogs include, but are not limited to, dogs that are intended for purposes of transferring ownership, resale, adoption and fostering, breeding, show and exhibition or research.
You find the up-to-date list of countries considered high-risk rabies by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) here.
No such ban applies for the importation of cats to Canada currently.
Importing pets to Canada: General requirements
Depending on age and country of origin, cats and dogs may be required to show proof of rabies vaccination and travel with a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian.
For cats and dogs under the age of 3 months, proof of rabies vaccination is not required, instead a proof of age is.
The CFIA offers an online tool to search for information on the required documentation and regulations based on the age of the pet, origin country, whether the pet is traveling with the owner to Canada or not, along with other criteria.
You can access their online tool here.
Importing pets to Canada: Recommended but not required
In addition to the import requirements imposed by the CFIA, the exporting country, transit countries and airlines may impose additional requirements.
Here is a list of common things that you may be asked to provide proof of:
- Microchip for identification
- Feline and canine annual shots (FVRCP and DHPPi+L or similar)
- Government endorsement of the veterinary health certificate
- Transit permit
- Parasitic treatments
- Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titre Test (RNATT)
Upon arrival to Canada
When entering Canada you must declare your pet at the first point of entry.
CFIA and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials may ask to see your paperwork and inspect your pet.
According to CBSA; failure to declare or missing paperwork may lead to delays, fines, or denial of entry.
Importing pets to Canada: Traveling with your pet
Whether your pet travels with you in cabin/cargo, with a dedicated person accompanying your pet, or unaccompanied, the rules are the same: they must meet import standards on arrival.
Make sure that all travel documents state the owner as the importer for a smooth process.
If someone else is traveling with your pet on your behalf, we recommend that you prepare a formal letter signed by you (the owner) stating you grant permission to the dedicated person to travel with your pet.
Tips before departure:
- Contact your vet well ahead to plan required vaccinations and certificates.
- Check with your local government body about specific export requirements such as an export permit or government endorsement of the health certificate.
- Have physical copies of all documents ready to present to the airline, and at arrival to the Canadian border.
- Double-check requirements for your route and airline policy.
Destination Canada: From a pet owner’s perspective
It’s easy to see why Canada is a dream destination for pets and pawrents. From coast to coast, the country is known for its pet-friendly culture, clean outdoor spaces, and welcoming communities. Whether you and your furry companion are settling in long-term or just visiting, you’ll find plenty to love.
Endless outdoor adventures
If your pet enjoys the outdoors, Canada is paradise. With endless trails, lakeside paths, national parks, and neighbourhood green spaces, you’ll never run out of places to walk, run, or explore together. Cities like Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montréal all have well-maintained dog parks and pet-friendly hiking routes.
Pet-friendly cities
While rules vary by province, most Canadian cities are very pet-aware. You’ll find:
- Pet-friendly cafés with outdoor seating
- Grooming salons and daycare facilities
- Apartment buildings that welcome cats and dogs
- Local communities that love meeting newcomers with pets
A note on weather
Canada’s famous winters can be a big change if you and your pet are coming from a warm climate.
You may want to consider the season when moving to avoid your pet having a thermal chock at landing.
And for extra cold days you can consider getting Furry some paw balms, boots or a jacket to stay warm and cozy. Many pets, once adjusted will just absolutely love the snow!
A welcoming community for pets
Canadians are known for being polite—and that includes how they treat pets. Don’t be surprised if strangers stop to greet your dog or ask about your cat. You’ll also find strong veterinary support nationwide, from small-town clinics to state-of-the-art specialty hospitals.
Bringing your pet to Canada doesn’t have to become a project. With the right paperwork and a bit of planning, you can make sure your fur ball arrives happy and healthy at your new home. 🇨🇦🐾
Importing pets to Canada: How do Purrfect Pilots work and how can we help you
As an experienced pet moving agent specializing in international relocation, we are familiar with the full process of pet relocation to Malaysia. Our job is to ensure that your pet has the most comfortable transition possible during their journey and to give you regular updates about your pet throughout the move.
To take off some of the financial burden of relocating to Malaysia with your pet, we can offer tailored payment plans. Ask your Purrfect Pilot about available options.
During our years of operations, we have built a wide network of professional pet care professionals with the same commitment and passion as we have.
Your pet will only be handled by carefully selected partners where our team can not be present. Our partners are professionally trained in handling live animals according to the IATA live animal regulations and meet Purrfect Pilots’ strict partner requirements.
We offer full transparency from pricing to execution of your pet move and we are great at planning perfect moves.
But to be honest, our biggest strength lies in our industry knowledge and ability to “fix things” when needed. Because moving a pet can become quite the adventure and we always work with a B and a C backup plan to get your pet to destination.
Few pet moves are one-size-fits-all, at Purrfect Pilots we want to listen to your expectations and preferences, and support you in the way you need and want us to.
Purrfect Pilots is a dependable pet mover that helps relocate and travel pets to many countries, including those countries with strict import regulations like the EU, U.S. and Australia. Are you looking forward to importing pets to Canada? We can help you reunite with your pet.
