Canada pet travel requirements

Rabies vaccination certificate

Your dog or cat needs a rabies vaccination that is still valid when you arrive. The certificate must be signed by a licensed vet and show: the animal (age, breed, sex, colour, weight, and microchip or tattoo number if it has one), the owner (for dogs), the vaccination date, the vaccine's trade name and serial number, and how long it's valid. It must be in English or French, or come with an official translation. Dogs must be at least 3 months old when vaccinated. An EU pet passport is accepted if it shows all of this. Canada sets no waiting period after the shot.

Except when all of these apply: (Younger than 3 months on arrival) · Entry pathway: Rabies vaccination certificate

If the certificate gives a validity period (for example 3 years), enter its 'valid until' date. If it doesn't, CFIA counts it as valid for 1 year from the vaccination date.

Pets under 3 months old do not need a rabies vaccination certificate; carry proof of age. The plan omits this step when the known birth date puts the pet under 3 months at arrival.

If the vaccination isn't valid on arrival, the border officer can order you to have the pet vaccinated within a set time, at your cost, and show the record to a CFIA animal health office.

A pet that can't be vaccinated for a documented medical reason needs a CFIA import permit, a vet's letter, a titer of at least 0.5 IU/mL taken in the 6 months before entry, a microchip or tattoo, and a CFIA vet inspection at the first port, booked before you travel.

Certified assistance dogs travelling with their handler are exempt from the rabies vaccination.

Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) · Checked Nov 12, 2026

Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) · Checked Nov 12, 2026

Rabies vaccination certificate for a ferret from the US

A ferret 3 months or older coming from the US needs no import permit, but must arrive with a certificate signed by a licensed vet, in English or French, that identifies it and shows a rabies vaccination given in the year before the import date. Ferrets under 3 months from the US have no import requirements.

Ferrets · Departure countries/regions: US, US-HI · Except when all of these apply: (Younger than 3 months on arrival)

For ferrets, CFIA wants a vaccination given in the 12 months before import, even if the vaccine label says it lasts longer.

Without a valid certificate, the border officer can order the ferret vaccinated at your cost.

Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) · Checked Nov 12, 2026

Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) · Checked Nov 12, 2026

Apply for a CFIA import permit for your ferret

Ferrets coming from anywhere except the US need a CFIA import permit. Apply to CFIA's National Centre for Permissions at least 30 days before you bring the ferret to Canada, using the Application for Permit to Import (CFIA/ACIA 5860). Follow the conditions on the permit.

Ferrets · Except when all of these apply: (Departure countries/regions: US, US-HI)

CFIA doesn't publish how long the permit takes, which entry port it names, or what else it asks for (for example a vaccination or health certificate). Apply as early as you can.

CFIA doesn't say how the 30 days are counted; we count the application day as day 0.

CFIA/ACIA 5860: Application for permit to import live terrestrial animals, hatching eggs, animal semen, embryos and oocytes

Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) · Checked Nov 12, 2026

Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) · Checked Oct 26, 2026

Ask your province for permission to keep a ferret

It's your responsibility to ask the provincial or territorial authorities where you'll live for permission to keep a ferret as a pet, and to get any papers they require.

Ferrets

Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) · Checked Nov 12, 2026

Declare your pets to the border officer (CBSA) on arrival

Declare every animal when you enter Canada, including family pets. The CBSA officer checks the papers (for dogs and cats, that the rabies certificate is valid and matches the animal) and looks for signs of illness or injury, and may refer the animal to CFIA for an inspection at extra cost. Animals that are undeclared, lack the required papers, seem sick, or are transported inhumanely can be refused entry, seized or held. Carry paper originals of every document. Dogs and cats are not quarantined, and personal pets travelling with their owner need no health certificate or microchip.

Except when all of these apply: (Departure countries/regions: US, US-HI)

Pets that fail the requirements are usually ordered out of Canada, and fines or prosecution are possible.

Source: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) · Checked Oct 26, 2026

Source: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) · Checked Oct 26, 2026

Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) · Checked Nov 12, 2026

Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) · Checked Nov 12, 2026

Declare your pets to the border officer (CBSA) on arrival

Declare every animal when you enter Canada, including family pets. The CBSA officer checks the papers (for dogs and cats, that the rabies certificate is valid and matches the animal) and looks for signs of illness or injury, and may refer the animal to CFIA for an inspection at extra cost. Animals that are undeclared, lack the required papers, seem sick, or are transported inhumanely can be refused entry, seized or held. Carry paper originals of every document.

Departure countries/regions: US, US-HI

Pets that fail the requirements are usually ordered out of Canada, and fines or prosecution are possible.

Source: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) · Checked Oct 26, 2026

Source: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) · Checked Oct 26, 2026

Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) · Checked Nov 12, 2026