Bringing a dog or cat from Canada to Russia
Under Russia's rules, pets from Canada are in the group “All countries – up to 2 accompanied pets”. A dog from Canada needs a microchip, a rabies vaccine and an official health certificate. There is no quarantine if every rule is met. There is no long waiting period, so a few weeks of preparation is usually enough.
About Russia: Relatively easy. Up to 2 dogs/cats travelling with their owner need no permit and no quarantine, only a pet passport or certificate showing rabies vaccination and a vet exam within 14 days before departure. A microchip and titer are not generally required.
All countries – up to 2 accompanied pets Paperwork only
- Titer test
- Not required
- Wait after blood test
- —
- Import permit
- Not required
- Quarantine
- None if rules are met
No long wait: Rabies vaccine given within the last 12 months and at least 20 days before departure. A 3-year vaccine is accepted if a vet confirms immunity, or with a titer of >=0.5 IU/ml.
Step by step
Vaccinate
Give rabies vaccine at least 20 days before departure, and it must have been given within the last 12 months. Dogs also need distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, adenovirus and leptospirosis; cats need panleukopenia.
Get the vet exam stamp
Have the pet examined by your country's competent veterinary authority within 14 days before departure. The mark goes in the international pet passport.
Use the right document
For up to 2 accompanied pets, the international veterinary passport serves as the certificate. Without a passport, or for unvaccinated puppies/kittens under 3 months, use veterinary certificate Form No. 15.
Enter at a vet-controlled checkpoint
Enter through a border checkpoint with veterinary control and present the pet and documents.
No quarantine for up to 2 personal dogs/cats with correct documents
Good to know
- Cats
- Rabies plus panleukopenia; otherwise the same as dogs.
- How many pets
- 2 dogs/cats per person without a permit. Up to 5 with an annual Form No. 1 permit; more under standard import permits.
- Parasite treatment
- Not required by Rosselkhoznadzor rules
- Arrival
- Border checkpoints with veterinary control only; the list is on fsvps.gov.ru (punkty-propuska).
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to bring a dog from Canada to Russia?
Canada counts as "All countries – up to 2 accompanied pets" for Russia. There is no rabies blood test or long wait. Rabies vaccine given within the last 12 months and at least 20 days before departure. A 3-year vaccine is accepted if a vet confirms immunity, or with a titer of >=0.5 IU/ml. Allow a few weeks for the vet visits and the health certificate.
Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from Canada to Russia?
No. Pets from Canada do not need a titer test for Russia if the other rules are met.
Will my pet be quarantined in Russia?
Not if every rule is met. No quarantine for up to 2 personal dogs/cats with correct documents
Do I need an import permit?
No import permit is needed for pets from Canada.
Are the rules the same for cats?
Rabies plus panleukopenia; otherwise the same as dogs.
Sources
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: Russia pet import rules.