Pet Shipping from the USA to Canada
Canada is one of the most straightforward destinations for a pet from the United States. There is no quarantine and no import permit; dogs and cats over three months old simply need a valid rabies vaccination certificate, and officers do a quick check at the border. Pet Travel Advisors confirms the paperwork, books the right route, and arranges the crate so your pet’s journey stays calm and compliant.
For a line by line breakdown of what this move costs, see our USA to Canada cost page.
Every Pet Travels
Differently
Different destinations, different routes, different challenges.
Because timelines, airline rules, and Canada’s entry requirements all affect each other, we build a plan that fits your pet and your move date.
Destination-Focused Planning
We use Canada's official CFIA import rules as the baseline, then turn them into a simple checklist you can follow.
Smart Routing and Logistics
We help choose practical routes, travel windows, and handoff procedures so your pet’s trip is safer and more predictable.
Personalized Support
Pet Travel Advisors assigns a move coordinator who keeps you updated and checks details before travel so nothing important is missed.
Pet Shipping from the USA to Canada
Moving a pet to Canada is a simple, well-defined process overseen by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, with a document and health check at the border on arrival. If you would like a simple overview of international moves first, start here. Bringing a pet the other way, into the United States? See our US import guide.
- confirm what applies to your pet and route
- map out a realistic timeline
- coordinate vet steps and paperwork
- support crate readiness and routing
confirm what applies to your pet and route
How Pet Shipping from the USA to Canada Works
To keep everything clear, we break the process into steps:
Verify requirements and timing
We confirm what rules apply based on your pet and travel details.
Build your plan and timeline
We map out what happens when, so steps are completed in the right order.
Coordinate vet preparation
We help keep appointments and timing aligned with what’s required.
Review documents for consistency
We check the details that cause delays (microchip digits, dates, names, signatures).
Confirm crate readiness and routing
We help align crate setup and routing with airline handling expectations.
Travel and arrival processing
We guide you on travel-day handoff and what to expect on arrival.
We keep your checklist aligned with the official rules. For the US export side, we follow USDA APHIS guidance for US to Canada travel. For the Canada entry rules, we follow the Canadian Food Inspection Agency guidance on importing animals.
Approved Routes and Entry into Canada
Pets travel to Canada by air as cargo or in cabin where an airline allows it, or across the land border, and all pets are declared to the Canada Border Services Agency on arrival. We confirm the best practical route and make sure the documents match the entry point.
- routing options can change based on airline availability and season
- we confirm the best practical route before booking
- we make sure your plan matches what’s expected at intake
Entry Requirements and Documentation for Canada
Import Eligibility for Pets
Pet dogs and cats from the United States are not placed in quarantine in Canada. Officers check the rabies vaccination and do a quick visual health exam at the border, and a pet showing signs of illness can be held, so we keep the paperwork and your pet’s records in order.
Before scheduling vet steps or flights, we confirm what rules apply to your pet and whether airline policies affect travel. Most moves are dogs and cats, though we handle other pets too, and the requirements can differ by species. Eligibility can come down to your pet’s type and health, airline rules for certain breeds or conditions, the documentation and timing, and which routes are available. Ready to start? Request a quote.
Health Preparation and Documentation
Dogs and cats over three months old need a valid rabies vaccination certificate from a licensed veterinarian, showing vaccination within the last three years. Canada does not require a microchip for personal pet imports, though most airlines do, so we usually recommend one. Puppies and kittens under three months are exempt from the rabies requirement. We check that names, dates, and vaccination details all match across the paperwork.
| Requirement | Canada, from the United States |
|---|---|
| Rabies vaccination | Dogs and cats over three months old need a valid certificate from a licensed veterinarian, showing vaccination within the last three years |
| Puppies and kittens | Under three months old are exempt from the rabies requirement |
| Microchip | Canada does not require one for personal pet imports. Most airlines do, so we recommend it anyway |
Planning Timeline for Pet Shipping to Canada
Canada is one of the quicker moves to arrange once the rabies vaccination is current. A typical timeline runs like this: a consultation and a check of your pet’s records, the rabies vaccination if it is not current, a microchip if your airline needs one, then booking the route, getting the crate ready, any health paperwork your airline asks for, a document review, and travel.
Taking a Dog or Cat to Canada: What the Trip Involves
Taking a dog or cat to Canada from the United States is the simplest international move on this site, and the one that gets overprepared for. There is no quarantine and no import permit for a pet traveling with its owner. What Canada asks for is a valid rabies vaccination certificate that identifies the animal and the vaccine. The work that remains is the crate, the route and the airline rules, which is where the sections above spend their time.
What does it cost to ship a pet from the USA to Canada?
Costs depend on your pet’s size and crate, the route and airline, vet and document fees, and whether the move is door to door. The fastest way to get a real number is a quote based on your origin city and travel date. Request a quote here.
What are the requirements to bring a pet into Canada from the USA?
Dogs and cats over three months old need a valid rabies vaccination certificate from a licensed veterinarian, dated within the last three years. Canada does not require a microchip for personal pets, but most airlines do. Puppies and kittens under three months are exempt from the rabies requirement.
Does my pet have to go into quarantine in Canada?
No. Pet dogs and cats from the United States are not placed in quarantine in Canada. Officers do a quick document and health check at the border, and only a pet showing signs of illness would be held.
How long does the process take?
Canada is one of the quicker destinations. As long as the rabies vaccination is current, most moves come together within a few weeks around your airline’s schedule.
Can any dog or cat qualify?
Most healthy dogs and cats qualify easily. We confirm your pet’s vaccination records and your airline’s crate and microchip rules at the start.
How does Pet Travel Advisors help with a move to Canada?
We confirm the paperwork, sort out the rabies and microchip details, book the route and crate, and stay with the move through arrival.
How do I take my dog to Canada from the US?
For a pet traveling with its owner, Canada asks for a valid rabies vaccination certificate that identifies the animal and the vaccine. There is no quarantine and no import permit.
That leaves the practical questions: whether your pet travels in the cabin or as cargo, whether the crate meets the airline rules, and whether you are crossing by road instead, which changes nothing about the certificate.