Animal Transportation to Canada

Pet Transport to and from Canada

Transporting your dog, cat or another pet to Canada means complying with a precise regulatory framework overseen by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Air Transport Animal has over 20 years of expertise in long-distance pet transport to and from Canada. We check travel documents, recommend the most suitable transport option (cabin, hold or cargo), arrange bookings with airlines such as Air Canada, Air France and Air Transat, and coordinate customs formalities at destination. We manage every detail so your pet’s journey can run smoothly, whether you are travelling from Paris to Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver or Ottawa.

One of the first points to consider is the weather. Many airlines suspend the transport of live animals to Canada when outside temperatures are too low or too high at departure or arrival. We check these seasonal restrictions before any booking is confirmed.

The second essential point is to start the process as early as possible. Certain steps to send an animal to Canada, such as rabies vaccination and import permits for commercial dogs or birds, involve mandatory waiting periods. We recommend contacting us at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure.

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Pets Eligible for Transport to or from Canada

Air Transport Animal organizes the transport of dogs and cats to and from Canada, including puppies and kittens from 8 weeks of age. We can also arrange travel for other pets, including rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets and birds. Import rules vary depending on the species and whether the import is considered personal or commercial, so please contact us to confirm the requirements that apply to your situation.

Import Requirements for Bringing Pets to Canada

The main requirements for a domestic pet travelling from France or Europe include:

• Identification: the animal must be identified by a microchip.
• Rabies vaccination: vaccination against rabies is mandatory for domestic dogs and cats aged 3 months or older. A waiting period is required between vaccination and entry into Canada.
• Vaccination record / EU pet passport: your pet must travel with its vaccination record or European pet passport showing all vaccinations.
• International Pet Health Certificate: for animals over 8 months old, this document must be dated less than 10 days before departure. For animals under 8 months old, including commercial imports, the time limit is 48 hours before boarding.
• Minimum age: puppies and kittens may travel from 8 weeks of age for a personal import (without rabies vaccination). Some airlines, however, only accept them from 10 weeks of age.

Required Documents

To bring your dog or cat to Canada, prepare the following documents:

• Vaccination certificates or pet passport confirming your animal’s vaccinations.
• International health certificate dated less than 10 days before departure for animals over 8 months old, or less than 48 hours before departure for animals under 8 months old.
• CFIA import permit, when required, for commercial dogs under 8 months old, birds and rabbits. The owner must submit the application directly through the CFIA.

Veterinary Protocol

The veterinary protocol depends on your pet’s age and whether the import is personal or commercial.

• Puppies and kittens under 3 months old: rabies vaccination is not required. The animal must be microchipped and the health certificate must be issued within 48 hours before departure.
• Domestic pets over 3 months old: the microchip should be fitted first, followed by rabies vaccination, while respecting the required waiting period before arrival in Canada. The vaccination record or pet passport must be updated, and your veterinarian must issue the international health certificate within the 10 days preceding departure.
• Commercial animals: they must be vaccinated against rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and kennel cough (parainfluenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica). Internal and external parasite treatments are also mandatory for all commercial dogs under 8 months old.

Quarantine : Is It Mandatory in Canada?

Canada does not impose quarantine on healthy dogs and cats that meet the health requirements for entry into Canadian territory. Your pet can leave the airport and travel to your home once custom clearances and border veterinary checks have been completed, subject to approval at inspection.

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