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Pet travel from the United States to Canada

What you need, in order

  1. Microchip recorded Recommended
  2. Rabies vaccination valid (certificate in English or French) (Applies from 90 days old)

Recommended lead time: start about 30 days before travel.

Requirements reviewed against the destination authority's published instructions on 2026-09-04. Steps decided outside Petra are listed below.

Verified for personal, non-commercial travel from the United States to Canada (dogs and cats).

Last reviewed
2026-09-04
Recommended lead time
30 days
Ruleset
Canada (CFIA)
Check my trip for this corridor

Requirements

  • Microchip recorded Recommended

    A microchip is recommended but NOT required by CFIA for a personal pet entering Canada.

  • Rabies vaccination valid (certificate in English or French)

    A rabies vaccination is required for animals 3 months and older, on a vet certificate in English or French — no APHIS endorsement is needed for Canada.

    Applies from 90 days old

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Owner checklist

  • Confirm this is a non-commercial, privately owned pet movement

    Age, accompaniment, number of dogs, purpose, and ownership-transfer status can change the applicable requirements. Commercial imports (sale, adoption, breeding, retail; ownership transfer) and unaccompanied/multi-dog movements trigger CFIA permits, age minimums, and additional paperwork. Dogs over 8 months generally use the rabies-certificate route.

  • Health certificate may be required: unaccompanied or 3+ dogs 8 months old or younger

    CFIA's rabies-certificate-only route (no separate health certificate) applies when your dog is: older than 8 months (regardless of accompaniment or count); OR, for a dog 8 months old or younger, one of 2 or fewer such dogs travelling WITH their owner; OR a certified guide, hearing, or service dog accompanying its handler; OR temporarily exported for a competition or trial. Outside those categories — an UNACCOMPANIED dog 8 months old or younger, or 3 or more dogs 8 months old or younger travelling together — CFIA requires a health certificate that Petra does not check for. Confirm your movement fits one of the qualifying categories; if not, arrange the health certificate separately.

    Applies to: dog

  • Confirm this is a domestic cat (or an F5+ generation hybrid) Required

    CFIA's personal cat route covers only domestic cats (Felis catus) and F5-or-later generation hybrids. Non-domestic cats and early-generation (F1 to F4) hybrids need a CFIA import permit and are NOT covered by this verified route. Confirm your cat is a domestic cat or an F5+ hybrid before relying on the rabies-certificate route.

    Applies to: cat

  • Rabies certificate in English or French, identifying the animal

    Present an acceptable rabies certificate — in English OR French (not necessarily both), issued and signed by a licensed vet, clearly identifying the animal (breed, colour, weight) and showing a current rabies vaccination. It does NOT need APHIS endorsement for Canada.

  • Why rabies isn't being requested: pet is under 3 months

    This pet is under 3 months old, so CFIA does not require a rabies record and Petra has skipped that check. Carry ordinary evidence of the animal's age (the rabies certificate is not the only acceptable age record). (This note only appears for under-90-day pets.)

    Applies up to 89 days old

  • Proof of the kitten's age (under 3 months) Required

    This cat is under 3 months old and rabies-exempt, but CFIA requires proof of the cat's age at the border. Carry documentary evidence of the kitten's age (the rabies certificate is not the only acceptable age record) and confirm you have it.

    Applies to: cat · Applies up to 89 days old

  • Present the pet to a CBSA officer on arrival

    At the border, present the pet and its rabies certificate to a CBSA officer for a document check + visual inspection.

Primary sources

Spotted something wrong? Report a correction.

Frequently asked questions

How far ahead do I need to start?

Petra's recommended lead time for the United States to Canada is 30 days before travel.

What is this based on?

Petra's Canada (CFIA) ruleset for this corridor, last reviewed 2026-09-04 (see Primary sources below).

Is this verified?

Requirements reviewed against the destination authority's published instructions on 2026-09-04. Steps decided outside Petra are listed below.

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