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Are you thinking about bringing your dog to Canada? There are a few things that you need to know before you bring over your furry little friend. The good news is that it is easier than might expect. At the same time, however, you will need to plan on doing some preparation in advance. 

Ready to get packing? Here is everything that you need to know about bringing your dog to Canada. 

Quarantine Requirements

The most important thing to know about bringing your dog to Canada is that there are no quarantine requirements for dogs, cats, or ferrets. As long as you meet all of the entry requirements, there will be no need to worry about quarantine time. 

Pet Microchips 

While many countries do require pet microchips, Canada does not. Nonetheless, it is highly recommended that you have a 15 digit ISO 11784 compliant microchip. This is a good way to ensure that your pet is safe and will be found quickly if by some unfortunate accident he or she were to get lost. 

Required Vaccinations

The first thing to figure out is if Canada classifies your country as being free of rabies or not free of rabies. This is very important because there are two different sets of requirements for rabies free and non rabies free countries. These requirements need to be followed exactly or your dog may be refused entry into the country.  

Canada considers the following countries to be rabies free: Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Fiji, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre et Miquelon, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sweden, Turks and Caicos, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay.

If you are from a rabies free country, your requirements for bringing your dog to Canada are pretty straightforward. If your puppy is younger than three months old, you don’t need anything at all. If your dog is more than three months old, you need a certificate from your vet saying that there has been no evidence of rabies in your country for at least six months and that your dog hasn’t been outside of the country for more than three months. The certificate needs to be in English or French. 

If you are from a country that has rabies, you are going to need a valid rabies vaccination certificate from your country of origin. Be sure that your certificate is in English or French and is dated. Canada accepts three-year rabies vaccinations, and there is no waiting period after getting the vaccination. 

Prohibited Dogs for Bringing Your Dog to Canada

While there are set rules for bringing your dog to Canada, there are also specific rules for different destinations. If you are travelling to or transiting in Ontario, you can’t enter the providence with an American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, or a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Toronto bans these breeds as well, but you can transfer through the airport. 

Airline Requirements

Another crucial thing to consider when you are bringing your dog to Canada is the airline requirements. Every airline is different so it is essential to contact them before your flight. Not all airlines allow dogs in the cabin and many of them require a health certificate. 

To be on the safe side, it is a good idea to contact the airline before even booking your tickets. Familiarize yourself with their policies and make sure they work with your travel plans. When you are trying to contact airlines on their pet policies, it isn’t always easy to get answers so be persistent. Once they provide details on their policies, keep a written copy of them. 

Pet Carriers

In addition to meeting airline requirements and following government regulations, it is important to make sure that you have the right pet carrier for bringing your dog to Canada. It is essential for your dog’s health to make sure that your dog’s carrier provides enough air. You will also want crucial to make sure that your dog has plenty of water. The International Air Transport Association has guidelines on the exact type of pet carrier that you need.