Moving to Canada with a dog: Canada entry rules

This guide covers the CFIA personal-pet paths. Your dog must be intended to live with you. You must be the importer, and the dog must not be intended for transfer, fostering, breeding, showing, sale, research, or special training. Otherwise, use the CFIA tool and select the commercial path. If an authorized person travels with your dog, use the tool's unaccompanied path.

Moving to Canada with a dog starts by matching documents to age, origin, purpose, and accompaniment (CFIA). For a personal pet dog 8 months or older from a country where rabies is present, the CFIA requires a valid rabies vaccination certificate. The dog must also appear healthy and meet humane transportation requirements (CFIA). Canada does not require a microchip or tattoo identification for domestic dogs imported as personal pets (CFIA).

What are the Canada entry rules for a dog?

For a dog 8 months or older from a country not free of rabies, the CFIA interactive tool lists a valid rabies vaccination certificate. It also states that the dog must appear healthy and meet humane transportation requirements (CFIA interactive tool). Pet dogs imported from any country are not subject to post-import quarantine in Canada (CFIA import reference document).

The CFIA travelling with your dog page states that requirements depend on the country of origin, the dog's age, the purpose of the import, and whether the dog travels with its owner. Match your case in the table below.

Related guides cover moving to Australia with a dog and moving to Spain with a dog.

What documents does my dog need to enter Canada?

The CFIA interactive tool returns different arrival lists by age, origin country rabies status, and whether the dog is accompanied.

Veterinary Certificate of Health for an unaccompanied dog

For dogs on the unaccompanied paths above, the CFIA tool wording states that the Veterinary Certificate of Health must meet every point below.

• Be written in English or French (CFIA 7059).
• Be issued on clinic letterhead (CFIA 7059).
• Be issued and signed by the licensed veterinarian who performed the examination (CFIA 7059).
• Identify the animal by age, breed, sex, colour or markings, weight, and microchip or tattoo number if applicable (CFIA 7059).
• Identify the owner of the animal (CFIA 7059).
• Specify the date and time, including the time zone, of the examination (CFIA 7059).
• Have the name and signature of the licensed veterinarian who issued the certificate and the date it was signed (CFIA 7059).

The certificate must also contain required certification statements and information (CFIA 7059). The dog must have been examined by the certifying licensed veterinarian in the country of origin. The examination must have taken place during the 72 hours immediately before import into Canada (CFIA 7059). The veterinarian must be satisfied on each point below (CFIA 7059).

• The dog is healthy and free of any clinical or epidemiological evidence of contagious or infectious disease. The dog must also be free, as far as can be determined, of exposure thereto. The date and time, including the time zone, of the examination must be stated on the certificate (CFIA 7059).
• The dog was at least 8 weeks of age at the time of examination before export to Canada. The dog's age at the time of examination must be stated on the certificate (CFIA 7059).
• The dog is fit to be transported to Canada without undue suffering by reason of infirmity, illness, injury, fatigue, or other cause during the expected journey (CFIA 7059).
• The dog has been vaccinated against canine distemper, canine adenovirus 2 (hepatitis), canine parainfluenza, and canine parvovirus with vaccines licensed and approved for that purpose in the country of origin. The dog was at least 6 weeks of age at the time of vaccination (CFIA 7059).
• The date of vaccination, vaccine name, vaccine manufacturer, and vaccine lot number must be stated on the certificate. If the dog was vaccinated more than once before export, the required information for the previous vaccinations must also be stated (CFIA 7059).

All information on the certificate must be legible (CFIA 7059). The European Union pet passport is not an acceptable alternative to the Veterinary Certificate of Health (CFIA 7059).

Rabies vaccination certificate

Per the CFIA import requirements wording, the rabies vaccination certificate or European Union pet passport must meet each point below.

• Be written in English or French, or be accompanied by an official translation (CFIA 7059).
• Be issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian (CFIA 7059).
• Identify the animal by age, breed, sex, colour or markings, weight, and microchip or tattoo number if applicable (CFIA 7059).
• Identify the owner of the dog (CFIA 7059).
• State that the animal is vaccinated against rabies (CFIA 7059).
• Indicate the date of rabies vaccination (CFIA 7059).
• Indicate the trade name and serial number of the licensed rabies vaccine (CFIA 7059).
• Specify the period of validity of the rabies vaccination. Otherwise, it will be considered valid for 1 year from the date of vaccination (CFIA 7059).
• Have the name and signature of the licensed veterinarian who issued the certificate and the date it was signed (CFIA 7059).

All information on the certificate must be legible (CFIA 7059). Dogs must have been at least 3 months of age at the time of rabies vaccination (CFIA 7059).

The CFIA states: "The European Union pet passport is an acceptable alternative to the rabies vaccination certificate as long as all the required elements outlined below are included."

Rabies-free countries and the country-freedom certificate

The CFIA pets tool rabies-free country selector lists Australia, Fiji, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

A Rabies Country-Freedom Certificate must be issued on the official letterhead of the competent veterinary authority of the government of the country of origin (CFIA 7059). It must state that the animal has been in the exporting country since birth or for at least 6 months immediately preceding the date of export to Canada (CFIA 7059). It must also state that rabies has not occurred in the country of origin for at least 6 months immediately preceding the date of export to Canada (CFIA 7059).

A dog less than 3 months old at the time of import does not require rabies vaccination or certification that it comes from a country designated as free from rabies under section 7 of the Regulations (CFIA import reference document). Proof of the dog's age from a veterinarian is required for that path (CFIA).

How much are Canada's border inspection fees for dogs?

The CBSA inspections and fees schedule lists border inspection fees for dogs, cats, and ferrets imported for any other purpose. The fees are in Canadian dollars, and GST or HST applies (CBSA). Fees increase annually and are updated on March 31 each year (CBSA). Inspection fees generally do not apply to dogs, cats, or ferrets arriving from the United States if the required documentation is presented. Without the required documentation, the importation is not exempt from the fees (CBSA).

The CBSA schedule notes that items not listed in the schedule are either subject to a CFIA inspection or not subject to any inspection.

Compare expat pet insurance, and ask any current insurer whether your policy covers your dog in Canada.

Can I enter Canada by car with my dog?

The CFIA travelling with your dog page states that requirements depend on the country of origin, the dog's age, the purpose of the import, and whether the dog travels with its owner. The same page tells travellers to check with their airline for additional documentation and requirements when travelling with a dog (CFIA).

The CBSA collects border inspection fees for inspections that border services officers perform at the border (CBSA).

For travel gear, read our pet carrier backpack guide. For country information, use our Canada country page.

What happens if my dog does not meet Canada's rabies requirements?

If a personal pet dog does not meet Canadian rabies import requirements, the owner must have the animal vaccinated against rabies within a specified period. The owner must present the vaccination record to a CFIA Animal Health Office, at the owner's expense (CFIA).

If an officer issues a vaccination order, the fee is C$67.75 for the first animal and C$36.95 for each additional animal (CBSA). These fees apply to dogs, cats, or ferrets arriving from all countries, including the United States (CBSA).

If a personal pet dog cannot be vaccinated against rabies for documented medical reasons, the owner must submit a written exemption request to the National Centre for Permissions. The request is at the owner's expense (CFIA). The request must include the items below (CFIA 7059).

• A completed Application for Permit to Import (CFIA 7059).
• A signed letter from the animal's veterinarian that describes the documented medical reason why the animal cannot be vaccinated against rabies (CFIA 7059).
• A Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test with a titre of at least 0.5 IU/ml. The test must be taken within the 6 months immediately before entry into Canada and at least 30 days after any previous rabies vaccination (CFIA 7059).

It is not sufficient to state that the animal is too old or cannot be vaccinated. The request must explain the specific reason (CFIA). The veterinary letter must meet every point below (CFIA 7059).

• Be written in English or French (CFIA 7059).
• Be recorded legibly (CFIA 7059).
• Be issued on clinic letterhead (CFIA 7059).
• Be issued and signed by the animal's regular licensed veterinarian (CFIA 7059).
• Identify the animal by age, breed, sex, colour or markings, weight, and microchip or tattoo number (CFIA 7059).
• Identify the owner of the animal (CFIA 7059).
• Have the name and signature of the licensed veterinarian who issued the letter and the date it was signed (CFIA 7059).

The only RNATT approved for pet travel is the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization test (CFIA 7059). The animal must be properly identified on the laboratory report, and the report must accompany the animal upon entry into Canada (CFIA 7059). A permit will be issued only if the results are satisfactory (CFIA 7059). Animals that have never been vaccinated against rabies will not have a titre and will not qualify for this exemption (CFIA 7059). A CFIA veterinarian must inspect the animal at importation. The owner must arrange the inspection at the first port of entry before the animal travels (CFIA 7059).

If a dog arrives at the border without meeting Canada's import requirements, officials review the situation. They decide whether the animal is eligible to enter Canada (CFIA dog-travel). Depending on the situation, the dog may be ordered removed from Canada, or the case may result in fines or legal action (CFIA dog-travel).

Moving to Canada with a dog checklist

• Talk to your veterinarian about the risks of travelling and whether your dog is healthy to travel (CFIA dog-travel).
• Ask about the tests, vaccinations, and treatments required to enter Canada (CFIA dog-travel).
• Make sure that all your dog's records are complete and accurate (CFIA dog-travel).
• Check your exact scenario in the CFIA interactive pets tool.
• Make sure that the rabies vaccination certificate contains every required element listed by the CFIA.
• If a dog travels unaccompanied, have the certifying licensed veterinarian examine the dog during the 72 hours immediately before import into Canada (CFIA 7059).
• Check with your airline for additional documentation and requirements for travelling with a dog (CFIA dog-travel).
• Find an appropriately sized crate, and train your dog to be comfortable in the crate and new surroundings (CFIA dog-travel).
• Print hard copies and keep digital versions of all documents and records that show that your dog meets the requirements (CFIA dog-travel).

FAQ

Is there quarantine for dogs entering Canada?

No. Pet dogs imported from any country are not subject to post-import quarantine in Canada (CFIA import reference document).

Does my dog need a microchip to enter Canada?

Canada does not require a microchip or tattoo identification for domestic dogs imported as personal pets (CFIA). The rabies certificate must identify the animal and include a microchip or tattoo number if applicable (CFIA 7059).

Is an EU pet passport accepted in Canada?

The European Union pet passport is an acceptable alternative to the rabies vaccination certificate if it includes all required elements (CFIA). It is not an acceptable alternative to the Veterinary Certificate of Health (CFIA).

How long is a rabies vaccination valid for Canada?

The rabies vaccination certificate must specify the period of validity. Otherwise, the vaccination will be considered valid for 1 year from the vaccination date (CFIA).

Compare expat pet insurance after you settle in Canada.

Written by FG Team, the Furry Guardian editorial team, who keeps these border rules current.