Bringing your beloved pet when immigrating to Canada is a great way to ensure the whole family is together in their new home. Bringing your pet to Canada is made easier with the right understanding and preparation of the rules and regulations.
Canada’s pet import criteria are not overly complex. Pet importation laws in Canada can vary depending on where your pet comes from and why you are importing it.
If you are looking to bring an animal into Canada, you may need to follow different rules. It is depending on whether the animal is currently your pet, is being brought in by a rescue group for adoption later on, is being brought in to breed or show, or is being sold. The admission standards for commercial pets are different from those for personal pets.
The Canadian Boarder Services Agent (CBSA) will not have a problem if you have the appropriate paperwork before you arrive. A quick visit to your veterinarian is the best place to start.
Bringing a pet to Canada – Required documents
Rabies vaccination proof
It works hard to maintain its status as a rabies-free nation. A rabies vaccination certificate or documentation from a nation on the “rabies-free” list is required for all dogs and cats entering Canada. It is likely that you will not be allowed to bring your pet into the country if you cannot show proof that it has been immunized or that it belongs to one of these countries.
Vaccination certificates for rabies must contain the following information:
- It should be written in either English or French.
- A licensed veterinarian must sign the certificate.
- Determine the animal’s age, breed, sex, colors/markings, and weight (if applicable).
- A rabies vaccination certificate should be provided.
- The vaccination date should be indicated.
- Give the name of the licensed vaccine as well as its serial number.
- Include both the name and the serial number of the approved vaccine.
- Along with the certificate’s issuance date, the certificate bears the name and signature of a veterinarian.
Rabies vaccinations should be administered to cats and dogs at a minimum of three months of age. If a puppy or kitten is less than three months old and has not been vaccinated, proof of age must be provided.
Is it necessary to microchip to bring a pet to Canada?
Microchipping or tattooing imported domestic pets is not required in Canada, although it is strongly recommended. Microchips are radio-frequency identifying transponders that are attached to pets that become lost and are taken to a shelter for care. It is possible to locate an owner’s contact information in a federal, provincial, or local database by using the identification number on the chip.
Microchipping is mandatory for all puppies older than 8 months brought under the commercial category. Adoptable pets are also subject to this rule.
How about rodents and reptiles?
Due to the potential presence of salmonella viruses, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) forbids the importation of turtles and tortoises. Canada’s CFIA is the regulatory agency that determines which animals and plants are allowed, including pets.
Since there is no longer a major risk from bubonic plague, certification is not required for rodents like hamsters, rats, and guinea pigs. Beavers, capybaras, and lemmings are among those included in this category.
Fees
Pets cannot be imported into Canada because there are no import taxes. The CBSA will review your documentation and confirm the well-being and proper care of your pet. You will have to pay a little over $30 for your first pet’s inspection, and $5 for each additional pet. It is not necessary to pay this fee for animals traveling from the United States to Canada.
In the event that a border agent determines that your pet needs additional inspection, he or she will request an inspection from an official from the CFIA for a fee.
Transportation
No matter what kind of animal is being transported, humane treatment is a constant requirement. CBSA officers have the authority to refuse admittance if they believe your pet is not being transported securely and comfortably. Despite the majority of laws governing the humane transportation governing animals like cows and pigs. Furthermore, you should check the airline’s specifications well in advance if your pet will be traveling by air. The airline’s specifications may vary depending on how the pet will be transported.
Conclusion
Your pet’s origin will be the key determining factor in whether it can be brought to Canada if it comes from an area where diseases commonly spread to other pets and cattle. In nations where there is a higher risk of avian influenza (bird flu), pet owners cannot bring their birds.
A number of nations with a high risk of dog rabies were also barred from importing commercial dogs in September by the CFIA.
