How do you bring a pet to Canada in 2026?

Use CFIA's interactive pet tool before you buy tickets. Requirements change with species, age, country of origin, and whether the dog travels as a personal pet or a commercial import (sale, adoption, fostering, breeding, exhibition, or research). Personal pet dogs that will live with you are treated differently from rescue or resale shipments.

Domestic cats under three months generally face no CFIA import restrictions under the Import Reference Document. Cats three months or older normally need a veterinarian's certificate in English or French that identifies the cat and shows rabies vaccination details. Dogs under three months often skip rabies vaccination, while older dogs need a rabies certificate that meets CFIA wording for the origin country. Certificates must identify the animal clearly. Keep microchip numbers consistent across papers when your airline or origin country requires a chip.

Canada does not run a national post-arrival quarantine for ordinary personal pet dogs the way some destinations do. That does not waive airline cargo temperature embargos or provincial animal licensing after you settle in Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal.

CBSA and CFIA treat commercial dogs more strictly. Commercial dogs from countries CFIA lists as high-risk for dog rabies can be refused entry, and commercial pathways often need permits through My CFIA. Do not label a rescue transfer as a "personal pet" if ownership will change on arrival.

Assistance dogs follow a separate CFIA path. Birds, reptiles, ferrets, and other species each have their own AIRS results. CITES paperwork can apply to some exotic pets even when rabies rules do not.

Airlines decide cabin versus cargo, breed limits, and seasonal embargos independently of CFIA. Book the pet space when you book the human ticket. Keep paper and phone copies of certificates in your carry-on for the CBSA secondary inspection line.