Travel Smarter with Pets

Pet Dog - Less than 3 Months

• No rabies vaccination is required.

Personal Pet Dog - 3 to 8 Months

• A valid rabies vaccination certificate is required.

Personal Pet Dog - 8 Months or Older

• A valid rabies vaccination certificate is required.

The rabies vaccination certificate must include:

• Written in English or French.
• Issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian.
• Identifies the animal (age, breed, sex, colour/markings, weight, and microchip/tattoo number if applicable).
• Indicates the date of vaccination.
• Indicates the trade name and serial number of the licensed vaccine.
• Specifies the duration of immunity (otherwise considered valid for 1 year from the date of vaccination).
• Includes the name and signature of the licensed veterinarian who issued the certificate.

Pet Dog - Less than 3 Months

• No health certification is required if the dog is under 3 months old.

Personal Pet Dog - 3 to 8 Months

• A health certificate may be substituted for the rabies vaccination certificate. The health certificate must:
• Be written in English or French.
• Be issued on clinic letterhead.
• Be issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian.
• Identify the animal (age, breed, sex, colour/markings, weight, and microchip/tattoo number if applicable).
• State that the animal has been in the exporting country since birth or for at least 6 months immediately preceding shipment to Canada.

Personal Pet Dog - 8 Months or Older

• A health certificate may also be substituted for the rabies vaccination certificate, provided the same requirements apply.

Not required for personal pet dogs. However, for dogs under 8 months imported under the commercial category (dogs for sale, breeding, etc.), a microchip is required for identification purposes.

Assistance Dogs

An assistance dog is exempted from the rabies vaccination requirements provided that:

• It is accompanied by its designated handler (the person to whom the dog is assigned).
• Documentation is presented to support that the dog is trained and certified as an assistance dog by an organization accredited by Assistance Dogs International or the International Guide Dog Federation.
• The dog appears healthy and meets humane transportation requirements.

A hard copy of all required original documentation may be requested during the inspection, and the importer must be able to provide such records if asked.

Personal Pet Dog - Less than 3 Months

When you arrive in Canada with a personal pet dog under 3 months of age, the dog must appear healthy and meet humane transportation requirements.

Personal Pet Dog - 3 to 8 Months

When you arrive in Canada with a personal pet dog aged 3 to 8 months, you will need a valid rabies vaccination certificate, or a health certificate, and the dog must appear healthy and meet humane transportation requirements.

Personal Pet Dog - 8 Months or Older

When you arrive in Canada with a personal pet dog aged 8 months or older, you will need a valid rabies vaccination certificate, or a health certificate, and the dog must appear healthy and meet humane transportation requirements.

https://inspection.canada.ca/en/importing-food-plants-animals/pets