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Pet Travel From the United States to
Canada
Last Modified:
Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type
Carefully read ALL of the requirements related to your pet on this page.
This page provides the most recent entry requirements and can change without
notice.
It is the responsibility of the veterinarian to make sure the pet has met all
health requirements of the destination country before issuing a health
certificate.
Failure to meet the requirements may result in problems gaining certificate
endorsement or difficulties upon arrival in the destination country.
Health certificates must be legible, accurate, and complete.
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 for dogs in the following
categories:
any dog greater than 8 months of age
assistance animals certified as guide, hearing or service dogs, if the
person accompanying the dog to Canada is the user of the dog
two or less pet dogs accompanied by their owner to Canada
any dog exported on a temporary basis for competition in a show or trial, if
at the time of importation proof of entry in a show or trial is provided.
Rabies vaccination certificate as proof of rabies vaccination
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 licensed vet, proving vaccination within 3 years of importation
into Canada.
Proof of rabies vaccination by documenting on a health certificate, if a
health certificate is required.
Learn more about traveling with your dog from the U.S. to Canada
Pet Dogs YOUNGER than 8 Months
Pet dogs YOUNGER than 8 months old MAY require a health certificate from
alicensed veterinarian in the United States. Please see below for more information:
The below information applies to non-commercial shipments of privately owned pets
only. If you are shipping pets for commercial purposes, please view the
requirements on Canada’s page of APHIS’ International Regulations (IRegs) website.
Unaccompanied dogs (puppies not traveling with their owner):
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 within72 hours of arrival in Canada.
The full travel requirements are described in the provided health certificate*.
This certificate does not need to be endorsed by APHIS.
Health Certificate (63.24 KB)
Accompanied dogs (puppies traveling with their owner):
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. 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, must have proof of
current rabies vaccination to travel to Canada.
Learn more about traveling with your dog from the U.S. to Canada
Cats
Pet cats do NOT require any health certificate
Rabies vaccination certificate - issued by licensed veterinarian, proving
vaccination within 3 years of importation into Canada
Kittens under 3 months of age exempt from rabies vaccination
Date of vaccination and the type of vaccine must be on the vaccination
certificate
Learn more about traveling with your cat from the U.S. to Canada.
Birds
The requirements for traveling with your pet are described in the health certificate. If
submission will be via the Veterinary Export Health Certificate System (VEHCS), you
may navigate directly to VEHCS without downloading this PDF.
Health Certificate (219.38 KB) - April 2024
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.
Rabies vaccinated ferrets should travel with a rabies vaccination certificate
documenting the pet’s most recent rabies vaccination. The vaccination certificate
should clearly identify your pet and must minimally include its sex, age, and breed.
The rabies vaccination certificate must be signed by a licensed veterinarian of the
United States.
Additional Information
Any ferret over 3 months of age traveling without proof of rabies vaccination can be
immediately vaccinated upon arrival in Canada at a veterinary clinic without
quarantine.
Other Pets
More information about pets can be found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
web site. For pet travel requirements not listed, APHIS has not been officially
informed by the foreign country about the requirements for your pet’s travel. We
recommended that you contact a government official of the country you are
traveling to for more information.
Country of destination contact information:
World Organisation for Animal Health: Members
U.S. Department of State: Foreign Embassy & Consulates
Countries Participating in the European Union
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Republic of Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Northern Ireland
*
Norway
**
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
**
*
Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom (UK), but will continue to follow European
Union (EU) requirements even though the UK is no longer part of the EU.
**
Norway and Switzerland are not part of the EU but have adopted EU legislation for import of
most species of live animals.
Important Travel Considerations
Considerations for airline travel and cruises:
Airlines and shipping lines have their own policies and requirements for transporting
pets. Check with your airline or shipping representative to determine what
requirements they may have.
Learn how you can improve the safety of dogs and cats during air travel.
View additional information for pet owners, airlines, and others about APHIS
endorsement of international health certificates (239.52 KB).
If pets or support animals accompany you on a cruise, you must comply with entry
rules for every country or port where your pet or support animal exits the ship.
Will you be returning to the United States with your pet?
View APHIS Requirements
ALERT: If you're traveling with a dog, be aware that the CDC has additional
requirements for bringing a dog into the United States. You must follow CDC's
requirements, or your dog will not be allowed to enter the United States.
If you are transiting (passing through) the European Union:
If your pet is traveling through (transiting) a country in the European Union (EU) on
the way to a third, non-EU country, you will also need a transit health certificate for
your pet for the EU. The transit health certificate will be the same as if your pet’s
final destination was the EU country. Use the information and steps above under
“Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type” to determine which health certificate
should be used. View a list of EU countries.
See More See Less
Need Help?
Guidance for Pet Owners
Read an overview of the process for taking your pet to another country and related
resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
View frequently asked questions about traveling with your pet.
Still Have Questions?
USDA-Accredited Veterinarians
Contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian for questions about your destination
country's entry requirements for pets (including any needed vaccinations, tests, or
treatments) and for issuance of health certificates.
Find a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian
USDA Endorsement Offices
Contact your nearest APHIS Veterinary Export Trade Services Endorsement Office for
questions about endorsing a health certificate for pets.
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