Match the departure country, rabies document options, kitten/puppy age and owner accompaniment before booking.
Cats three months or older: vaccination document option
Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
For a domestic cat at least three months old using vaccination, carry a legible English or French rabies certificate issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian. Include age, breed, sex, colour/markings, weight and chip/tattoo if applicable, vaccination date, licensed vaccine trade name and serial number, immunity duration, veterinarian name/signature and signing date. If immunity duration is missing, CFIA considers it valid for one year from vaccination. An EU pet passport containing every required element is an accepted alternative. A qualifying recognised-country residence certificate is a different option; do not require both automatically.
Privately owned personal pet dogs and domestic cats, without sale, adoption, fostering or ownership transfer. Origin alone does not determine age, owner accompaniment, medical exemptions or carrier acceptance. Read the condition at the start of each item: adult dogs are at least eight months, cats use the stated three-/six-month branches, and young or unaccompanied dogs have separate requirements. Cabin, checked baggage and cargo remain subject to carrier acceptance; cargo does not by itself mean the owner is absent.
Dogs eight months or older: vaccination document option
Dog · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
For a personal dog at least eight months old using the rabies-vaccination route, carry a valid certificate issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian. It must identify the owner and dog (age, breed, sex, colour/markings, weight and chip/tattoo if applicable), vaccination date, licensed vaccine trade name/serial number and validity, plus veterinarian name, signature and signing date. The dog must have been at least three months old when vaccinated. If validity is omitted, CFIA treats the certificate as valid for one year from vaccination. A qualifying EU pet passport can replace this rabies certificate, not every other required document.
Privately owned personal pet dogs and domestic cats, without sale, adoption, fostering or ownership transfer. Origin alone does not determine age, owner accompaniment, medical exemptions or carrier acceptance. Read the condition at the start of each item: adult dogs are at least eight months, cats use the stated three-/six-month branches, and young or unaccompanied dogs have separate requirements. Cabin, checked baggage and cargo remain subject to carrier acceptance; cargo does not by itself mean the owner is absent.
Under eight months, without owner: health certificate
Dog · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Only if a personal dog under eight months is not accompanied by its owner: obtain the additional English/French Veterinary Certificate of Health on clinic letterhead from the examining licensed vet. At examination the dog must be at least eight weeks, clinically healthy and fit for humane travel. Record examination date/time/time zone, owner and full dog identity, vet name/signature/date, and vaccination against distemper, adenovirus 2/hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvovirus at not less than six weeks. Include vaccination dates, vaccine names, manufacturers and lot numbers, including prior doses. Entry must be within 72 hours after the recorded examination, not merely after certificate issue or before departure. An EU passport cannot replace this health certificate; rabies requirements apply separately from three months.
Privately owned personal pet dogs and domestic cats, without sale, adoption, fostering or ownership transfer. Origin alone does not determine age, owner accompaniment, medical exemptions or carrier acceptance. Read the condition at the start of each item: adult dogs are at least eight months, cats use the stated three-/six-month branches, and young or unaccompanied dogs have separate requirements. Cabin, checked baggage and cargo remain subject to carrier acceptance; cargo does not by itself mean the owner is absent.
Dogs from recognised countries: residence certificate option
Dog · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
For a personal dog at least eight months from this CFIA-recognised country, a Rabies Country-Freedom Certificate is an alternative to vaccination documentation. It must be in English/French on the competent government veterinary authority’s letterhead, signed by its official veterinarian, or by a designated licensed vet with official endorsement. Identify the dog and certify residence since birth or for at least six months immediately before export, and no rabies in that country for the same preceding six months. Selecting the country or taking a connecting flight there does not establish residence. Vaccination remains another option.
Privately owned personal pet dogs and domestic cats, without sale, adoption, fostering or ownership transfer. Origin alone does not determine age, owner accompaniment, medical exemptions or carrier acceptance. Read the condition at the start of each item: adult dogs are at least eight months, cats use the stated three-/six-month branches, and young or unaccompanied dogs have separate requirements. Cabin, checked baggage and cargo remain subject to carrier acceptance; cargo does not by itself mean the owner is absent.
Cats six months or older: recognised-origin residence option
Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
For a cat at least six months from this recognised country with continuous residence there during the six months before entry, the residence-certificate option can replace rabies vaccination documentation. Use a signed English/French certificate on the licensed vet’s clinic letterhead with full identity, plus competent-government documentation confirming the country had no rabies for at least six months before shipment. The official letter or the vet’s letter requires government endorsement with date, stamp and signature. A transit stop is not six months’ residence; keep vaccination as a separate option. Younger since-birth cases need confirmation because official texts describe the residence condition differently.
Privately owned personal pet dogs and domestic cats, without sale, adoption, fostering or ownership transfer. Origin alone does not determine age, owner accompaniment, medical exemptions or carrier acceptance. Read the condition at the start of each item: adult dogs are at least eight months, cats use the stated three-/six-month branches, and young or unaccompanied dogs have separate requirements. Cabin, checked baggage and cargo remain subject to carrier acceptance; cargo does not by itself mean the owner is absent.
Three to under eight months, with owner: rabies branch
Dog · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
If a personal puppy is at least three but under eight months and its owner accompanies it, carry current rabies vaccination documentation meeting the certificate fields and vaccination-age requirements. From a CFIA-recognised rabies-free country, the qualifying government country-freedom certificate is an alternative, with residence since birth or for the preceding six months and that country’s six-month disease declaration. The additional unaccompanied-puppy health certificate is not imposed solely because of this age when the owner accompanies it. Confirm carrier health documents separately.
Privately owned personal pet dogs and domestic cats, without sale, adoption, fostering or ownership transfer. Origin alone does not determine age, owner accompaniment, medical exemptions or carrier acceptance. Read the condition at the start of each item: adult dogs are at least eight months, cats use the stated three-/six-month branches, and young or unaccompanied dogs have separate requirements. Cabin, checked baggage and cargo remain subject to carrier acceptance; cargo does not by itself mean the owner is absent.
Dogs under three months: age proof, not a general exemption
Dog · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Only for a personal dog under three months at entry: CFIA does not require rabies vaccination or rabies-country-freedom certification. Carry veterinary proof of age; the dog must appear healthy and meet humane transport rules. If the owner does not accompany it, the additional under-eight-month health certificate, eight-week examination minimum, four vaccines and 72-hour entry window still apply. This federal rabies exception does not establish airline acceptance or waive other transport conditions.
Privately owned personal pet dogs and domestic cats, without sale, adoption, fostering or ownership transfer. Origin alone does not determine age, owner accompaniment, medical exemptions or carrier acceptance. Read the condition at the start of each item: adult dogs are at least eight months, cats use the stated three-/six-month branches, and young or unaccompanied dogs have separate requirements. Cabin, checked baggage and cargo remain subject to carrier acceptance; cargo does not by itself mean the owner is absent.
Domestic kittens under three months: carry age proof
Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Only for a domestic kitten under three months at entry: the CFIA selector asks for proof of age, and the Import Reference Document does not impose the three-month-and-over rabies-document branch. Do not extend this federal import exception to airline minimum age, health, welfare, transit-country or non-domestic/hybrid-cat conditions. Confirm those arrangements before booking.
Privately owned personal pet dogs and domestic cats, without sale, adoption, fostering or ownership transfer. Origin alone does not determine age, owner accompaniment, medical exemptions or carrier acceptance. Read the condition at the start of each item: adult dogs are at least eight months, cats use the stated three-/six-month branches, and young or unaccompanied dogs have separate requirements. Cabin, checked baggage and cargo remain subject to carrier acceptance; cargo does not by itself mean the owner is absent.
Dog rabies documents: English/French or official translation
Dog · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
When using the dog rabies-certificate route, provide English or French, or the official translation described by CFIA. A certified translator must have verifiable professional-association certification; a non-certified translation needs an affidavit of accuracy made before a commissioner, notary or equivalent. Translate seals and stamps too. The importer and family members cannot translate their own documents even if qualified. This published translation rule is for dog rabies certificates; do not automatically substitute it for every cat or puppy health-certificate requirement.
Privately owned personal pet dogs and domestic cats, without sale, adoption, fostering or ownership transfer. Origin alone does not determine age, owner accompaniment, medical exemptions or carrier acceptance. Read the condition at the start of each item: adult dogs are at least eight months, cats use the stated three-/six-month branches, and young or unaccompanied dogs have separate requirements. Cabin, checked baggage and cargo remain subject to carrier acceptance; cargo does not by itself mean the owner is absent.
Dogs unable to vaccinate medically: apply before travel
Dog · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Only if a documented medical reason prevents a personal dog’s rabies vaccination: apply in writing to CFIA’s National Centre for Permissions with the import-permit application and a signed English/French clinic letter from the regular licensed vet explaining the specific reason and identifying owner and animal. Old age alone is insufficient. The selector requires FAVN at least 0.5 IU/ml, sampled within six months before entry and at least 30 days after a previous rabies vaccination, with the identified lab report travelling with the dog. Never-vaccinated animals do not qualify. A satisfactory result does not itself issue a permit; obtain approval and arrange CFIA veterinary inspection at the first entry port before travel. Check return-country acceptance too.
Privately owned personal pet dogs and domestic cats, without sale, adoption, fostering or ownership transfer. Origin alone does not determine age, owner accompaniment, medical exemptions or carrier acceptance. Read the condition at the start of each item: adult dogs are at least eight months, cats use the stated three-/six-month branches, and young or unaccompanied dogs have separate requirements. Cabin, checked baggage and cargo remain subject to carrier acceptance; cargo does not by itself mean the owner is absent.
Cats unable to vaccinate medically: permit and identity
Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Only for a personal cat from this non-recognised origin with a documented medical reason preventing rabies vaccination: ask CFIA for an exemption before travel, with import-permit application and a signed, legible English/French clinic letter from its regular licensed vet explaining the specific medical reason, owner and animal. Old age alone is insufficient. The selector requires FAVN at least 0.5 IU/ml, sample within six months before entry and at least 30 days after previous vaccination. Never-vaccinated cats do not qualify. Identify the cat by chip or legible tattoo on all accompanying records and carry the identified lab report. Obtain the actual permit and prearrange CFIA inspection at the first entry port; do not travel relying on the application or test alone.
Privately owned personal pet dogs and domestic cats, without sale, adoption, fostering or ownership transfer. Origin alone does not determine age, owner accompaniment, medical exemptions or carrier acceptance. Read the condition at the start of each item: adult dogs are at least eight months, cats use the stated three-/six-month branches, and young or unaccompanied dogs have separate requirements. Cabin, checked baggage and cargo remain subject to carrier acceptance; cargo does not by itself mean the owner is absent.
Personal dogs: inspection and post-import quarantine
Dog · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
The Import Reference Document states that pet dogs from any country are not subject to post-import quarantine in Canada. Still arrive with the correct documents, a healthy dog and humane transport arrangements. This does not grant entry to an ill or non-compliant dog, bypass an inspector’s order, or cover commercial movements and other species. Do not deliberately plan to arrive without valid rabies papers and rely on vaccination after entry.
Privately owned personal pet dogs and domestic cats, without sale, adoption, fostering or ownership transfer. Origin alone does not determine age, owner accompaniment, medical exemptions or carrier acceptance. Read the condition at the start of each item: adult dogs are at least eight months, cats use the stated three-/six-month branches, and young or unaccompanied dogs have separate requirements. Cabin, checked baggage and cargo remain subject to carrier acceptance; cargo does not by itself mean the owner is absent.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Before booking, run the current CFIA AIRS search for the actual origin, age, purpose and entry circumstances. The official selector gives HS 01 / 06 / 19, with OGD 2083 for domestic dogs or 2084 for domestic cats; subsequent answers depend on the trip. Separately confirm operating-airline age, breed, carrier, health-document, connection and reception conditions. Airline cargo does not automatically make a privately owned pet commercial or mean the owner is absent. Adoption, sale, fostering, breeding, exhibition and other commercial purposes must use the applicable separate dog procedure.
Privately owned personal pet dogs and domestic cats, without sale, adoption, fostering or ownership transfer. Origin alone does not determine age, owner accompaniment, medical exemptions or carrier acceptance. Read the condition at the start of each item: adult dogs are at least eight months, cats use the stated three-/six-month branches, and young or unaccompanied dogs have separate requirements. Cabin, checked baggage and cargo remain subject to carrier acceptance; cargo does not by itself mean the owner is absent.
Using antibody results instead of vaccination: confirm procedure
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Rules depend on the route, animal and operating carrier. Confirm your own journey with the relevant authority and airline.
Applicable conditions
The Import Reference Document lists an RNATT alternative: at least 0.5 IU/ml, identified lab report accompanying the animal, and sampling after previous vaccination. It gives at least 30 days for cats and recognised-origin dogs, but “at least three to four weeks” for other-origin dogs. The current selector instead mainly describes antibody testing within a medical-exemption permit procedure. Confirm with CFIA which documents and permission your actual case requires; do not treat a titre report alone as guaranteed boarding or admission. The six-month sample period in the medical procedure is not automatically a limit on every statutory alternative.
Privately owned personal pet dogs and domestic cats, without sale, adoption, fostering or ownership transfer. Origin alone does not determine age, owner accompaniment, medical exemptions or carrier acceptance. Read the condition at the start of each item: adult dogs are at least eight months, cats use the stated three-/six-month branches, and young or unaccompanied dogs have separate requirements. Cabin, checked baggage and cargo remain subject to carrier acceptance; cargo does not by itself mean the owner is absent.
Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Rules depend on the route, animal and operating carrier. Confirm your own journey with the relevant authority and airline.
Applicable conditions
For a cat three to under six months from a recognised country, the selector’s veterinary-certificate option says residence since birth or six months; the Import Reference Document cat clause says residence for the six months immediately before entry without the since-birth wording. Confirm acceptance of the younger since-birth case with CFIA before relying on an unvaccinated route. The ordinary valid-vaccination document option remains available under its own conditions.
Privately owned personal pet dogs and domestic cats, without sale, adoption, fostering or ownership transfer. Origin alone does not determine age, owner accompaniment, medical exemptions or carrier acceptance. Read the condition at the start of each item: adult dogs are at least eight months, cats use the stated three-/six-month branches, and young or unaccompanied dogs have separate requirements. Cabin, checked baggage and cargo remain subject to carrier acceptance; cargo does not by itself mean the owner is absent.
United States/Mexico cats: do not infer rabies-free status
Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Rules depend on the route, animal and operating carrier. Confirm your own journey with the relevant authority and airline.
Applicable conditions
The CFIA selector currently links these cat selections to a result containing a country-freedom certificate option, but neither the United States nor Mexico appears on CFIA’s recognised rabies-free list. Do not use the menu result alone as proof of that status or waive vaccination on that basis. Use the applicable valid-vaccination branch, or obtain CFIA confirmation for a particular alternative before travel.
Privately owned personal pet dogs and domestic cats, without sale, adoption, fostering or ownership transfer. Origin alone does not determine age, owner accompaniment, medical exemptions or carrier acceptance. Read the condition at the start of each item: adult dogs are at least eight months, cats use the stated three-/six-month branches, and young or unaccompanied dogs have separate requirements. Cabin, checked baggage and cargo remain subject to carrier acceptance; cargo does not by itself mean the owner is absent.
