Bringing your dog from the United States to Canada
Bringing a dog to Canada from a low-risk country is straightforward: a valid rabies vaccination certificate (for dogs over 3 months) issued by a licensed vet. No quarantine.
From low-risk countries, Canada mainly requires a valid rabies vaccination certificate for dogs over 3 months of age — written in English or French, signed by a licensed vet, and identifying your dog (breed, colour, weight, microchip) with the vaccine's validity period. No quarantine. (Dogs from high-risk rabies countries face much stricter rules.)
Calculate your deadlines
Enter your travel date: we work back in time to give you the deadline for each step, personalised for United States → Canada.
The 4 steps, in order
1. Implant an ISO-compliant microchip (recommended)
Have an ISO 11784/11785 microchip implanted. Recommended for identification and required if travelling from a high-risk country.
2. Rabies vaccination (dog over 3 months)
Vaccinate the dog against rabies. Required for dogs older than 3 months. Keep the vaccination valid through to entry.
3. Valid rabies vaccination certificate
Obtain a rabies vaccination certificate written in English or French, signed by a licensed vet, identifying your dog (breed, colour, weight, microchip number) and stating the vaccine's validity period.
4. Travel to Canada
Present the rabies certificate at the border. No quarantine for compliant dogs from low-risk countries.
From another country?
Official sources:
Pawscleared provides preparation guidance based on official sources. The binding conditions are those published by the CFIA. Dogs that have been in high-risk rabies countries face additional requirements (microchip, minimum age, titre). Always confirm with official sources.