Bringing a pet into Canada is simpler than entering most countries: no quarantine, no import permit for personal dogs and cats, and no titer test. What Canada does demand is exact paperwork, a valid rabies vaccination certificate in English or French, signed by a licensed veterinarian, checked at the border or airport.
One coordinator manages the journey into Canada: the documents, the airline, the crate, and the routing into a Canadian gateway, then to your door.
Different destinations, different routes, different challenges.
Because timelines, airline rules, and Canada’s entry requirements all affect each other, we build a plan that fits your pet and your move date.
We use Canada's official CFIA import rules as the baseline, then turn them into a simple checklist you can follow.
We help choose practical routes, travel windows, and handoff procedures so your pet’s trip is safer and more predictable.
Pet Travel Advisors assigns a move coordinator who keeps you updated and checks details before travel so nothing important is missed.
The rules branch by age and origin: dogs and cats 3 months and older need a valid rabies vaccination certificate, and puppies under 8 months follow a dog specific path where age and rabies status both matter. Here is what we lock in for every move into Canada:
To keep everything clear, we break the process into steps:
We confirm what rules apply based on your pet and travel details.
We map out what happens when, so steps are completed in the right order.
We help keep appointments and timing aligned with what’s required.
We check the details that cause delays (microchip digits, dates, names, signatures).
We help align crate setup and routing with airline handling expectations.
We guide you on travel-day handoff and what to expect on arrival.
We keep your checklist aligned with the official rules. For the US export side, we follow the USDA APHIS guidance for US to Canada travel. For the Canada entry rules, we follow the Canadian Food Inspection Agency guidance on importing animals.
Pets arrive through Toronto Pearson, Vancouver, Montreal Trudeau, or Calgary, by air cargo or accompanied, and we complete the journey by road to any Canadian city. At arrival, documents are declared to the Canada Border Services Agency and checked on the spot, so the file has to be right the first time.
There is no quarantine for personal pets arriving in Canada with correct documents. The rabies certificate must be in English or French, identify your pet, and be signed by a licensed veterinarian. A mismatch can mean re vaccination orders or refused entry, which is exactly what our document check prevents.
Before booking anything, we confirm what applies to your pet directly against the CFIA import reference rules, so nothing in your plan is based on outdated summaries.
For dogs and cats 3 months and older: a valid rabies vaccination certificate in English or French from a licensed veterinarian. For young puppies and kittens, proof of age matters because the requirements branch below 3 months and below 8 months. Assistance dogs follow their own path. We build the exact document set for your pet, origin country, and route.
From the United States, a move into Canada can happen in as little as 1 to 2 weeks when the rabies vaccination is current. From further abroad, plan 3 to 6 weeks depending on origin country rules and routing. Winter weather windows shape timing more than paperwork does.
No. Personal dogs and cats with correct documents enter without quarantine. The border officer checks the rabies certificate at arrival, and that check is the whole game.
A valid rabies vaccination certificate in English or French, issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian, for any dog or cat 3 months and older. Young animals need proof of age instead. We prepare and verify the exact set for your route.
Toronto Pearson, Vancouver, Montreal Trudeau, and Calgary handle most arrivals, and we complete the journey by road to any Canadian city, including smaller centres.
Yes. Requirements branch by age: under 3 months, and dogs under 8 months traveling to their owner, follow specific paths where proof of age and rabies status matter. We confirm the right path before you book anything.
Every quote is built for your pet and route. The main components are the airline, the crate, arrival clearance, and door to door ground service. Request a quote and we price the full journey up front.
One coordinator owns your file: document verification against CFIA rules, flight booking, crate sizing, border declaration prep, and delivery to your door anywhere in Canada.
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