Shipping or Transporting your Dog, Cat or Pet to Canada

Pet Travel, Dog Shipping, Pet Transportation & Immigration Rules Canada – Canadian Pet Passport & Quarantine Information

Dog, Cat and Pet Transportation & Travel To Canada:

There is no quarantine period for pets entering the country, however there is an inspection fee. A current health certificate completed by a licensed veterinarian in either English or French and dated within 10 days prior to departure to Canada must accompany your dog, cat or pet stating that the veterinarian has examined the pet and is satisfied that the pets are not less than eight (8) weeks of age at the time of examination, are free of any clinical evidence of disease, were vaccinated not earlier than at six (6) weeks of age for distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza virus, and can be transported to Canada without undue suffering by reason of infirmity, illness, injury, fatigue or any other cause

Proof of vaccination is required including the date on which the dogs were vaccinated, that the vaccine was licensed by the country of origin of the dogs, and the trade name and serial number of the vaccine, and
The certificate must be signed by the veterinarian and clearly identify his name.

Note: If the owner is not traveling with the pet then certificate must be signed within 36 hours of the time the pet enters Canada.

FROM A RABIES FREE COUNTRY

The certificate must clearly identify the animals and show that rabies has not existed in that country for the six (6) month period immediately preceding the shipment of the animals; and, the animals have been in that country for the six (6) month period referred to in paragraph 1.1.1, or since birth.

The same applies to dogs that were originally from Canada and are being returned directly from a country designated by the Minister as having been free from rabies for not less than six (6) months. This would include dogs coming out of a quarantine imposed by the exporting country before that quarantine period is completed.

If the certificate required in paragraph 1.1 is not provided, as an alternative, the animals could enter Canada subject to rabies vaccination as outlined in Section 2 below.

If the provisions of 1.1 or 1.3 are not met, an inspector will order the owner to have the animals vaccinated for rabies within a period of time specified in the order and to provide the vaccination certificate to an inspector, all at the owner's expense.

FROM OTHER COUNTRIES
Pet dogs eight (8) months of age or over from countries where rabies is present (or not recognized officially rabies-free by Canada)

Dogs may enter Canada if accompanied by a valid rabies vaccination certificate issued, in either English or French, by a licensed veterinarian(2) from the country of origin, which clearly identifies the dogs and shows that they are currently vaccinated against rabies. This certificate should identify the animal, as in breed, colour, weight, etc., plus indicate the name of the licensed rabies vaccine used (trade name), serial number and duration of validity (up to 3 years). Please note that if a validity date does not appear on the certificate, then it will be considered a one year vaccine.

If the provisions of 2.1 are not met, an inspector will order the owner to have the animals vaccinated for rabies within a period of time specified in the order and to provide the vaccination certificate to an inspector, all at the owner's expense.

Pet dogs eight (8) months of age or younger from any country
Pet dogs accompanied by the owner between the ages of three* (3) and eight (8) months require certification for rabies, in accordance with Section 1 if from a Rabies-free country, or in accordance with Section 2 if from a country that is not designated as Rabies-free. No additional certification is required.

Rabies vaccination or certification that the dog comes from a rabies-free country is not required if the animals is less than three (3) months of age.

Special purpose dogs:
Assistance dogs that are certified as a guide, hearing or other service dog are not subject to any restrictions for importation where the person importing the dog is the user of the dog and accompanies the dog to Canada

Let our experience work for you - contact us here for your next pet transport, transportation or relocation. We encourage you to email us with any questions you may have regarding any aspect of our services and how we may better meet your individual pet shipping needs.

We specialize in stress-free pet transport & travel services! Seeking the professional pet relocation service of Animal Transporters will assure you peace of mind when transporting your pets on the ground or in the air.

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