Canada (CA)
Canada is the world's second-largest country by land area and one of the most immigration-friendly nations on earth.
Bringing Pets to Canada
Requirements, costs and process for relocating with your pets.
Vaccinations
Restricted Breeds
Plus Always verify the breed-specific legislation (BSL) of your destination province and city before relocating with any breed that could be classified as a "bully breed." BSL is applied by appearance, not DNA — even a mixed-breed dog that resembles a restricted breed may be affected.
💰 Costs
CFIA-accredited vet health certificate: $150–350 CAD (varies by clinic and number of species). Rabies vaccination (if required): $40–80 CAD. Microchip implantation (if not already done): $50–80 CAD. Airline pet fees: $100–300 CAD in-cabin (small pets under ~7kg including carrier); $250–600 CAD in checked baggage/cargo (medium/large dogs). Note: many airlines have suspended live animal cargo — verify your specific airline's pet policy months in advance. Pet relocation service (if used): $1,500–5,000+ CAD for full-service international pet relocation. Municipal pet licence: $20–75/year depending on city (Toronto: $55 neutered; Vancouver: $45; Calgary: $57). Annual wellness vet exam + vaccinations: $150–350 CAD. Pet insurance: $300–1,200/year (strongly recommended — sign up immediately upon arrival before any conditions are identified as pre-existing).
🐕 Dog Tax / Registration
Canada has no federal or provincial annual dog registration tax. Pet licensing is a municipal (city) responsibility. Most Canadian cities require annual dog and cat licences. 2026 rates: Toronto: $55/year (neutered/spayed), $80/year (unaltered); Vancouver: $45/year (neutered), $90/year (unaltered); Calgary: $57/year (registered); Ottawa: $50/year (neutered), $90/year (unaltered); Edmonton: $40/year; Montreal: varies by borough ($30–$60/year). Proof of current rabies vaccination is required at time of licensing in most cities. Fines for unlicensed pets caught at large: $100–$300+. Cats are licensed in some cities (Calgary requires it; Toronto: optional for cats) — check your specific city's by-law. Service dogs and guide dogs: exempt from licensing fees in most Canadian cities.
Find a local veterinarian using Google Maps, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association directory (cvma-acmv.org), or pet owner community groups on Facebook and Reddit. Annual wellness exam + core vaccinations: $150–350 CAD depending on city and clinic. Emergency vet clinics operate 24/7 in all major cities (BluePearl, VEG, local emergency vet hospitals) — emergency fees: $200–600 consultation + treatment costs. Pet health insurance is strongly recommended for Canadian-owned pets: Canadian vet bills are comparable to US costs, and emergency surgeries routinely cost $3,000–$8,000 or more. Enrol immediately after arrival — any condition noted before or at enrolment becomes a permanent pre-existing condition exclusion. Recommended insurers: Trupanion (pays vet directly at participating clinics), Pets Plus Us, PC Pet Insurance (President's Choice / Loblaws), Petsecure, Spot Pet Insurance.
📋 Relocation Process
1. Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard — 15-digit microchip). If your pet's microchip is a 10-digit or non-standard chip, it may not be readable by Canadian scanners — check before travel. 2. Ensure all required vaccinations are current and documented (rabies certificate must show vaccine administered AFTER microchip implantation). 3. Book an appointment with a CFIA-accredited veterinarian no more than 10 days before your travel date (health certificates expire quickly — confirm the validity window for your specific route). The vet will examine your pet and complete the CFIA health certificate form. 4. Declare your pet to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer at the port of entry. Present your health certificate, vaccination records, and microchip documentation. CBSA will inspect the documents and may visually inspect the animal. 5. No quarantine is required for dogs and cats from most countries if all documentation is in order. 6. Within 30 days of arrival: register with a local veterinarian for a wellness exam and to establish ongoing care. 7. Purchase a municipal pet licence within the required window (typically 30–90 days of establishing residency — check your city's by-law). 8. Enrol in pet insurance immediately — sign up before any health conditions are identified.
Canada is a very pet-friendly country in everyday life. Dogs are welcome in many off-leash parks (every Canadian city maintains multiple designated off-leash areas), on patios and restaurant terraces in summer, in some pet-friendly retail stores (Canadian Tire, Home Depot, many independent boutiques), and in select hotels. Service dogs (guide dogs, hearing dogs, psychiatric service dogs) have legal right of access to all public places under provincial human rights codes — landlords cannot refuse service dogs even in no-pet buildings. Important for Ontario arrivals: Ontario's Pit Bull ban (Dog Owners' Liability Act, 2005) is strictly enforced — dogs resembling restricted breeds may be seized. Register your pet's microchip in the Canadian national database (24PetWatch at 24petwatch.com or the Kennel Club of Canada registry) after arrival so that CBSA and Canadian shelters can identify your pet if lost. Poop bags and cleanup are legally required in virtually all Canadian municipalities — fines range from $100–$500 for not cleaning up after your pet in public spaces. Most Canadian apartment buildings have pet policies specified in the lease — Ontario and BC law allows no-pet clauses to be enforced in new leases, so confirm pet policies before signing a lease.