Bringing a dog or cat from the United Kingdom to Canada
Under Canada's rules, pets from the United Kingdom are in the group “CFIA rabies-free countries”. A dog from the United Kingdom 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 Canada: One of the easiest destinations: personal pet dogs and cats 3 months or older need only a vet-signed rabies vaccination certificate in English or French. There is no microchip, titer, waiting period or quarantine. Commercial dogs (sale, adoption, rescue) from CDC-style high-risk rabies countries are banned.
CFIA rabies-free countries Paperwork only
- Titer test
- Not required
- Wait after blood test
- —
- Import permit
- Not required
- Quarantine
- None if rules are met
No long wait: No waiting period.
Step by step
Get a rabies-free origin certificate
A vet certifies the pet's identity, that rabies has not occurred in the country for the last 6 months, and that the pet lived there for those 6 months or since birth. A current rabies vaccination certificate also works instead.
Use English or French
Certificates must be in English or French.
Present at the border
Show the documents to the Canada Border Services Agency on arrival. Pets from outside the US may be inspected and charged an inspection fee.
No quarantine for pet dogs or cats. If documents are missing, an inspector can order rabies vaccination at the owner's cost.
Good to know
- Cats
- Cats under 3 months have no restrictions. Cats 3 months or older need a rabies certificate, a rabies-free origin certificate or a titer (0.5 IU/ml or more, 30+ days after vaccination). No health certificate is needed. Wildcat hybrids have separate rules.
- How many pets
- No federal number limit found for personal pets. USDA says the pet rules cover up to 2 dogs travelling with their owner. Dogs under 8 months for sale, adoption or breeding are commercial imports and need a permit.
- Parasite treatment
- None for personal pets
- Arrival
- Any CBSA port (air or land). There is no federal ban on cabin travel. Airline rules apply. Commercial dogs must enter at the port named on the permit.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to bring a dog from the United Kingdom to Canada?
The United Kingdom counts as "CFIA rabies-free countries" for Canada. There is no rabies blood test or long wait. No waiting period. Allow a few weeks for the vet visits and the health certificate.
Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from the United Kingdom to Canada?
No. Pets from the United Kingdom do not need a titer test for Canada if the other rules are met.
Will my pet be quarantined in Canada?
Not if every rule is met. No quarantine for pet dogs or cats. If documents are missing, an inspector can order rabies vaccination at the owner's cost.
Do I need an import permit?
No import permit is needed for pets from the United Kingdom.
Are the rules the same for cats?
Cats under 3 months have no restrictions. Cats 3 months or older need a rabies certificate, a rabies-free origin certificate or a titer (0.5 IU/ml or more, 30+ days after vaccination). No health certificate is needed. Wildcat hybrids have separate rules.
Sources
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: Canada pet import rules.