Taking a dog or cat from India to Canada

Canada's rules for a pet from India

What does CFIA mean by a personal, commercial or unaccompanied dog?

Ownership and purpose decide the category, not whether the dog flies with you, and only personal pet dogs may come from India.

PPersonal pet dog

A dog that will live with its owner, who must also be the importer. It stays personal whether it travels with you or not. 2Canadian Food Inspection Agency

CCommercial dog

A dog brought in for resale, adoption, fostering, breeding, show or exhibition or research, or to be given to someone else, and dogs meant for an animal welfare organisation or in “training status”, such as a future assistance dog. A rescue flying to a new adopter is commercial. 2Canadian Food Inspection Agency

UUnaccompanied

A dog travelling alone, or with someone the owner has authorised, such as a flight companion, family member or friend. 2Canadian Food Inspection Agency

UUnaccompanied dog under 8 months

Also needs a vet certificate: at least 8 weeks old, free of clinical disease, vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza, and arriving within 72 hours of the exam. 9Canadian Food Inspection Agency

HHigh-risk country

A country on CFIA's list of those at high risk for dog rabies. India is on it. 8Canadian Food Inspection Agency

DDocumentary inspection

The Canada Border Services Agency's paper check of every personal pet dog, commercial dog over 8 months and pet cat: is the rabies vaccination valid, and does the description match the animal? 2Canadian Food Inspection Agency

What must the rabies certificate for Canada show?

Canada checks what the certificate says, not a government stamp: every line below must be on it, and legible.

Can a small dog fly in the cabin to Canada, and when is the hold closed for India?

On Air Canada a cat or small dog can fly in the cabin; bigger pets go in the hold, which Air Canada closes for India from 1 March to 31 October. Airlines may ask for more papers than CFIA does.

• Cat or small dog

  In the cabin with you

  In a soft-sided carrier under the seat in front, one pet per passenger; not in Premium Economy, exit or bulkhead rows, or on flights run by a codeshare partner. CA/US $100 to 120 one way, international. 5Air Canada

• Up to 45 kg with kennel

  In the hold on your flight

  CA/US $270 to 324 one way, international. Not for pets under 4.5 kg or snub-nosed dogs; closed for India from 1 March to 31 October, and on every route from 18 December to 4 January. 5Air Canada

• Big kennels

  As cargo with AC Animals

  For kennels over 45 kg or 292 cm in total dimensions, and pets shipped for commercial purposes; ask Air Canada Cargo for rates. 5Air Canada

• Whichever you choose

  Register the pet early

  Within 24 hours of booking, unregistered pets are refused at the airport, and arrive 30 minutes before the usual check-in time, as online check-in is not available. 5Air Canada

• Air India

  Not on Air India

  Air India carries no pets to or from Canada, in the cabin or as checked baggage. 11Air India

What is a CBSA vaccination order, and when does a pet get one?

If the rabies papers fall short, the border usually orders a vaccination in Canada rather than a return flight; other failures can mean removal.

Moving on to the USA later: does India still count against your dog?

Yes, for 6 months: the simple rule is to wait 6 months in Canada before any US trip, by road or air, because the US CDC and Canada's CFIA differ on flying sooner.

1. If your dog has lived only in Canada, or another low-risk country, for the last 6 months

   It follows the CDC's low-risk rules and can enter the US at any airport, seaport or land crossing. 12US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

2. If it was in India within the last 6 months and its rabies vaccine was given outside the US

   It cannot cross by land. The CDC says it may enter only by air, at an airport with a CDC-registered animal care facility where it has a booking. USA 12US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

3. If you follow CFIA's guidance for that same dog

   Wait 6 months in Canada, or fly to the US straight from India: CFIA's page of 1 August 2024 says such dogs cannot enter the US directly from Canada. 13Canadian Food Inspection Agency

4. If your dog does not meet the CDC rules

   It may be refused and sent back at your cost. Only the CDC can grant an exception (a “derogation”). 13Canadian Food Inspection Agency

5. If your dog then comes back to Canada

   It must meet Canada's rules again, such as a valid rabies vaccination certificate. 13Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Which Canadian province or city bans your dog's breed?

Canada's federal import rules name no breed, but Ontario bans pit bull types across the province, and Winnipeg bans them in the city.

The Act's “pit bull” includes a pit bull terrier, a Staffordshire bull terrier, an American Staffordshire terrier, an American pit bull terrier, and any dog that looks substantially like them. The City of Winnipeg bars anyone from bringing in a dog that predominantly looks like an American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier; its page says most American Bullies derived from the American Pit Bull Terrier are prohibited too, and that a pit bull may not even visit. CFIA says cities and municipalities set rules on which animals may be kept, so check your destination city's animal by-law before you book.

How long does a move from India to Canada take?

Petym’s working from the official rules, no government publishes a total.

About 4 to 6 weeks, mostly for the Indian side, though the month you fly can matter more than the paperwork.