Taking a pet from the United States to Canada

What this destination requires

Pet dogs older than 8 months

Pet dogs older than 8 months do NOT require any health certificate. Proof of rabies vaccination is all that is required.

Rabies vaccination certificate: required for all dogs greater than 3 months of age (with the exception of assistance dogs certified as a guide, hearing or service dogs which accompany their user into Canada), issued by a licensed vet, proving vaccination within 3 years of importation into Canada.

Pet dogs younger than 8 months

Pet dogs younger than 8 months old MAY require a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian in the United States. Shipments of 1-2 dogs less than 8 months of age which travel unaccompanied are required to be examined and have a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 72 hours of arrival in Canada; this certificate does not need to be endorsed by APHIS. Shipments of 1-2 dogs less than 8 months of age traveling with their owner are only required to travel with proof of current rabies vaccination. Dogs younger than three months old are not required to be vaccinated for rabies but proof of the dog's age must be available to Canadian officials.

Cats

Pet cats do NOT require any health certificate. Rabies vaccination certificate, issued by a licensed veterinarian, proving vaccination within 3 years of importation into Canada. Kittens under 3 months of age are exempt from rabies vaccination. Date of vaccination and the type of vaccine must be on the vaccination certificate.

Ferrets

Pet ferrets do NOT require any health certificate. Ferrets over 3 months of age should have received a rabies vaccination within the 12 months prior to travel to Canada, and should travel with a rabies vaccination certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian of the United States.

For pet types APHIS does not list, APHIS has not been officially informed by Canada about the requirements, and recommends contacting a government official of Canada. Pet birds have separate route-mapping rules on the APHIS page.

Read the source

This page summarises the USDA APHIS page Pet Travel From the United States to Canada. That page is the authority; read it in full before you travel.

Open the APHIS page for Canada →