Country requirements
Importing pets and animals into Canada, and exporting from it.
Status: Partly verified — some items awaiting confirmation
Last checked: 12 October 2026
These summaries are not legal advice. Each item shows whether it was verified against the official source on the date shown or is awaiting confirmation. Always check the official source and confirm with your coordinator before travel.
Conditions depend on the dog’s age, whether the origin country is recognised as rabies-free, and whether the dog is a personal pet or a commercial import.
Pet dogs from any country are not subject to post-import quarantine. Source (opens official website)
Dogs under 3 months old do not need a rabies vaccination or a rabies-free-country certificate. Source (opens official website)
Dogs 8 months and older from countries not recognised as rabies-free need a valid rabies vaccination certificate in English or French (or a rabies titre test). Otherwise an inspector may require vaccination at the owner’s expense. Source (opens official website)
Pet dogs under 8 months travelling without their owner need an additional veterinary certificate and must be imported within 72 hours of the examination. Source (opens official website)
Dogs imported for resale, adoption, fostering, breeding, show or research are commercial imports. Commercial dogs from countries at high risk for dog rabies have been prohibited since 28 September 2022, until further notice. Source (opens official website)
Cats 3 months and older need a veterinary certificate in English or French showing either current rabies vaccination, 6 months’ residence in a rabies-free country, or a rabies titre of at least 0.5 IU/ml. Cats under 3 months have no restrictions. Source (opens official website)
Horses, pigs, poultry, sheep and goats each have separate CFIA import conditions that vary by origin country and may include import permits, export certificates and testing. Case-specific conditions are found through CFIA’s Automated Import Reference System (AIRS). Source (opens official website)
Tell us the route, the animal and your preferred dates. A coordinator will review the details and reply with a written quotation or questions — nothing is booked until you and our team confirm.
