Importing or Travelling with Pets

Under the National Animal Health Program, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) establishes import requirements for all animals and animal products entering Canada-including domestic pets.

These requirements apply to:

• animals entering Canada permanently
• animals in transit through Canada on their way to a final destination
• animals entering Canada for a temporary visit

The Agency can refuse entry to any animal presented for importation.

Import and Travel Requirements

• Amphibians and reptiles
• Birds (From the United States)
• Birds (From Countries Other Than the United States)
• Cats
• Dogs
• Fish
• Foxes, skunks, raccoons and ferrets
• Horses (from the United States)
• Primates
• Rabbits
• Rodents (guinea pigs, gerbils, mice, rats, chinchillas, hamsters, etc.)
• Scorpions, spiders and other organisms that do not require a permit to import

If the animal you wish to import is not listed, please refer to the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS), which provides information on import requirements for all commodities regulated by the CFIA.