Bringing animals to Canada: Importing and

travelling with pets

 Starting August 1, 2024 – CDC's new requirements for dogs travelling
to the United States
On July 22, 2024, the United States (U.S.) Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) announced updated import requirements for dogs
entering the U.S.
Learn more about the new requirements: Dogs travelling to the U.S.

If you are travelling with a pet or planning to import an animal to Canada, you
will need the right paperwork at the border to meet Canada's import
requirements. If you don't, you risk experiencing delays at the border and
your animal may not be allowed into Canada.

Canada has specific import requirements in place to avoid introducing animal

diseases to protect its people, plants and animals.

Information for individuals thinking of buying or adopting a dog, dog

breeders and rescue organizations

Find out what you need before you travel with your pet or import an animal.
* What type of animal are you importing or travelling with? (required)

+ Cat

* Are you travelling with a domestic or non-domestic cat? (required)

+ Domestic

* How old will the cat be when you arrive in Canada? (required)

+ 3 months or older

* What country are you coming from? (Select "Other" if country is not listed) (required)

Other

Continue

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

 Valid rabies vaccination certificate

Additional information
Expand all Collapse all

Valid rabies vaccination certificate

The European Union pet passport is an acceptable alternative to the rabies

vaccination certificate as long as all the required elements outlined below are
included.

The rabies vaccination certificate (or European Union pet passport) must:

be written in English or French

be issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian
identify the animal (age, breed, sex, colour/markings, weight, and
microchip/tattoo number if applicable)
state that the animal is vaccinated against rabies
indicate the date of vaccination
indicate the trade name and the serial number of the licensed vaccine
specify the duration of immunity (otherwise, it will be considered valid for 1
year from the date of vaccination)
have the name and signature of the licensed veterinarian that issued the
certificate and the date it was signed

All information on the certificate must be legible.

If a cat doesn't meet Canadian rabies import requirements

The owner, at their own expense, must:

have the animal vaccinated against rabies within a specified period of

time
present the vaccination record to a CFIA Animal Health Office (opens in
new window)

If a personal pet cat cannot be vaccinated against rabies for

documented medical reasons

If there is a documented medical reason why your pet cat cannot be

vaccinated against rabies, such as a previous reaction, the CFIA may
consider granting an exemption as long as your cat meets very specific
additional requirements. The CFIA will not consider exemption requests if
the only provided medical reason is that the animal is older.

The owner, at their own expense, must:

submit a request for an exemption, in writing, to the National Centre
for Permissions (opens in new window). The written request must
include:
a completed Application for Permit to Import (opens in new
window)
a signed letter from the animal's veterinarian describing the
documented medical reason why the animal cannot be vaccinated
against rabies.

 Note:

It is not sufficient to state that your animal is too old or that

your animal cannot be vaccinated. The specific reason must be
explained. The veterinary letter must:
be written in English or French
be recorded legibly
be issued on clinic letterhead
be issued and signed by the animal's regular licensed
veterinarian
identify the animal (age, breed, sex, colour/markings,
weight, and microchip/tattoo number)
identify the owner of the animal
have the name and signature of the licensed veterinarian
that issued the letter and the date it was signed

a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) resulting in a titre

of at least 0.5 IU/ml, taken within the six (6) months immediately
before entering Canada and at least thirty (30) days after any
previous rabies vaccination. (Currently, the only RNATT approved for
pet travel is the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN)
test). The animal must be properly identified on the laboratory
report and the laboratory report must accompany the animal upon
entry into Canada. A permit will only be issued if the results are
satisfactory.

 Note:

In order for your animal to have a rabies titre, it must have

been previously vaccinated against rabies at least once in its
life. Animals that have never been vaccinated against rabies
will not have a titre and will not qualify for this exemption.
 Even if your animal was previously vaccinated against rabies, it
does not guarantee that the titre will be sufficient enough to
qualify for the exemption.

The animal must be identified by either a microchip or a legible tattoo. This

means of identification must be recorded on all accompanying
documentation, including the veterinarian's letter.

The animal must be inspected by a CFIA veterinarian at the time of

importation into Canada. Arrangements for inspection at the first port of
entry must be made before the animal travels.

If you are only visiting Canada temporarily with your dog, it is your
responsibility to verify that an unvaccinated animal will be allowed to
return to your home country. Most countries require proof of rabies
vaccination and may not allow for any exceptions, in which case the animal
would be required to remain in Canada until adequately vaccinated
against rabies.

Import requirements

A comprehensive list of the CFIA's official import requirements is available in

the Automated Import Reference Systems (AIRS) (opens in new window).
Insert the following codes when making your search:

Harmonized System (HS) Code Level 1: 01-Live animals

HS Code Level 2: 06-Other live animals
HS Code Level 3: 19-Other mammals
OGD Extension Level 1: 2084-Cats (domestic)

The rest of the selections will vary depending on your situation.

Humane transport of animals regulations

Canada has strong regulations in place to help prevent injury and suffering of
all animals during transport. Learn more about the legal requirements for
transporting animals humanely in Canada (opens in new window).

Advance notice of arrival may be required

Some animals may require inspection by the CFIA at ports of entry into
Canada. A CFIA inspector is not on duty at all times at ports of entry and may
be called when required. Importers should use the Automated Import
Reference System (opens in new window) tool to determine if a CFIA
inspection is required. If a CFIA inspection is required, importers should make
these arrangements in advance of their arrival by contacting the CFIA district
office (opens in new window) closest to their first point of entry into Canada to
schedule the inspection. It is the responsibility of the importer to contact the
CFIA in advance of travel to ensure that the inspection can be carried out
without delays.

Air transport requirements

Airlines may require additional documentation or have additional

requirements when travelling with an animal by air. Please check with your
airline to determine whether you meet its requirements.

You should be aware of the Live Animal Regulations (opens in new window)
(LAR) issued by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Shipments that don't meet CFIA's requirements

If a shipment does not meet Canada's import requirements, the situation will
be reviewed and a decision made regarding the animal's eligibility to enter
Canada. Depending on the facts of the case and the non-compliance(s) with
CFIA requirements, the animal may be ordered to be removed from Canada,
fines may be applied or legal actions may be pursued.

Inspection fees, taxes and duties

All personal pet dogs, commercial dogs over 8 months of age, and domestic
(pet) cats that are imported into Canada will have a documentary inspection by
the Canada Border Services Agency (opens in new window) (CBSA) to ensure
the animal's rabies vaccination is valid and the animal description matches. All
assistance dogs imported into Canada will have a documentary inspection by
the CBSA to ensure the animal meets the criteria and has the appropriate
certification. The CBSA will also visually inspect the animal to ensure that there
are no visible signs of illness or injury. The CBSA may contact the CFIA when
veterinary guidance or expertise is needed. In certain cases the animal may be
referred to CFIA for further inspection. Additional fees for the cost of CFIA
inspection will apply.

For fee amounts refer to the CFIA Fees Notice (opens in new window). All fees
must be paid at the time of inspection. Any applicable taxes or duties are
calculated by the CBSA.
 Microchip or tattoo

Canada does not require a microchip or tattoo identification for domestic dogs
imported as personal pets or domestic cats. However, dogs under 8 months of
age imported under the commercial category (dogs for retail sale, breeding
purposes, show or exhibition, scientific research, dogs in 'special training
status', and dogs destined for adoption and/or animal welfare organization)
must be identified by an electronic microchip.

Pet food

Personal imports of pet food from the United States are allowed under specific
conditions (opens in new window).

Personal imports of pet foods from other countries are subject to a case-by-
case evaluation before arriving in Canada, with no guarantee of a successful
outcome. To request a permit to import pet food, visit MyCFIA.

Questions

If you still require additional information please consult Automated Import

Reference System (AIRS) (opens in new window).

If you still have additional questions please contact CFIA general enquires at 1-
800-442-2342 or information@inspection.gc.ca

Date modified:
2024-07-22