Bringing a Dog to Canada

[KlausKarp]

Thank you pkshaji, those are good inputs!

 

[pkshaji]

Thank you pkshaji, those are good inputs!

You will get your dog , near the baggage collection area - Generally where we collect the odd shaped items / strollers / baby car seats etc..( in Toronto Terminal 1 YYZ & in most of the airports .) Your pet in the crate will be waiting for you there. Carry a bottle of water to give them , they might be de-hidrated over a long haul flight .

There are big sized trollies that you can use it with the portar services ( CAD 15-20 ). They will help you to get things done ( especially when you are travelling with a pet and a baby ..and wife and 6 big suitcases and strollers / car seat etc..)

 

[wyho007]

Moved with my 7 lb 2 year old mixed breed dog to Vancouver last month. Hope some of the below experience will be useful.

Regulations wise:

-Key is to fulfill animal export requirement in your country AND airline admission policy. Make sure a breed is listed clearly, even if it's mixed, list the mixed of breeds. I know, I know... just make something credible up (by looking at the face of the dog) and have the examining vet put it on the export paper/health certificate. Airline needs to see none of the breed mix is on the banned list of flying to admit the dog. Also, make sure the paperwork listed the dog as spayed/neutered, if it is. It helps so much on the dog licensing after you arrive.
-CBSA is really easy on the dog importation. Once the dog is at the airport, there's not much the officer wants except a rabies proof.

Dog preparation wise:

-train your dog to like the crate months prior.
-pick a sturdy crate and not too big/small, you can find plenty info online.
-put a dog training pad at the most bottom layer, then blanket and a t-shirt of yours
-make sure water bottle is attached to the crate upon flying, train it to like drinking out of the bottle
-depending on the dog habit, you may want to put a collar on it during flight (for ID purpose and for your easy access at the airports)
-try to pick the best weather to fly. If you're from a tropical country, make sure you fly during your winter months. The dog will be left sitting in the cargo cart when boarding the flight and temperature can be real hot (in summer)/cold (in winter).


Day of flying:

-put his/her favourite toy in the crate
-make sure plenty of water is in the water bottle
-if transit is needed, include a portion of food attached to the crate and see if the airline people will help feed it during transit (if time is long)
-when boarding the flight, make sure you are being a pest to alert the airline personnel (before and after you board the plane) that a dog is in the cargo hold
-put extra fasteners on the crate to make sure the dog has no way of escaping
-put a photo of your dog on the crate together with the flight info/owners and destination info

Upon arrival:

-make sure you have extra set of beddings to change out the soiled ones in the crate
-clothed the dog if you're from a tropical country
-there's a dog relief area right outside of the airport across the street
-plenty of wet tissue/towels to clean the dog

 

[hearobear]

hi wyho007, which airline did you use to fly to CA?

 

[wyho007]

hi wyho007, which airline did you use to fly to CA?

EVA

 

[Bigal653]

The best airline for dogs is Lufthansa, they have a terminal in Frankfort that they take the dog out if you conecting there.
Check the airline pet policy, not every airline will fly your pet.
British airways are not to keen to fly pets.
Every airline has restrictions, no pets if wheater in origin - destanation is obove 27c. And not all the companies fly all the breads, my English Bulldog. Will have to fly with Lufthansa.
2 companies in Europe i know that are very pet friendly are Lufthansa-austrian, klm-air france and El-Al.

 

[Arweny]

Hi, I'm in the same situation, but we are planning to move in November 2017. We have a mixed bread female dog, 18kg. The info I collected so far:

• Need vaccination papers - rabbies vaccination is required if you are coming from a country that isn't considered rabbies free
• Special crate is required for travel, must not leak - so bottom has to be closed, cannot be collapsable, the dog must be able to stand and turn around - I heard they take this very seriously
• Very-very small dogs might travel with you in the cabin, but most airlines also have total weight limits for "baggage or cargo pets" - ours is too big for cabin, but she is quite small for baggage, you might have a problem if your dog is like 30+ kg, check with the airline. Air Canada has the limit at 45kg total including crate.
• Temperature restrictions: most airlines do not allow dogs to be taken on board if the expected temperature at departure / transfer / destination is above 27C or below 7C. So be mindful of that if you are planning to move in summer.
• Certain airlines, e.g. AirCanada, require a mandatory 1 day break at transfer if the journey is long, I think the limit was either flight is longer than 8 hours, but I need to double-check.

A few links:
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/imports/policies/live-animals/pets/dogs/eng/1331876172009/1331876307796
http://www.pettravel.com/immigration/canada.cfm
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/plan/special-assistance/pets.html
https://www.aircanada.com/cargo/en/shipping/shipping-solutions/ac-live/

I hope it helps.

 

[NetMecca]

When travelling with your dog, if you cannot keep your dog with you in the cabin make sure that the hold of the aircraft you are flying with is heated. Gets pretty cold up high, especially over Canada in winter.

Good luck

 

[SanKanKun]

Hi, I'm in the same situation, but we are planning to move in November 2017. We have a mixed bread female dog, 18kg. The info I collected so far:

• Need vaccination papers - rabbies vaccination is required if you are coming from a country that isn't considered rabbies free
• Special crate is required for travel, must not leak - so bottom has to be closed, cannot be collapsable, the dog must be able to stand and turn around - I heard they take this very seriously
• Very-very small dogs might travel with you in the cabin, but most airlines also have total weight limits for "baggage or cargo pets" - ours is too big for cabin, but she is quite small for baggage, you might have a problem if your dog is like 30+ kg, check with the airline. Air Canada has the limit at 45kg total including crate.
• Temperature restrictions: most airlines do not allow dogs to be taken on board if the expected temperature at departure / transfer / destination is above 27C or below 7C. So be mindful of that if you are planning to move in summer.
• Certain airlines, e.g. AirCanada, require a mandatory 1 day break at transfer if the journey is long, I think the limit was either flight is longer than 8 hours, but I need to double-check.

A few links:
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/imports/policies/live-animals/pets/dogs/eng/1331876172009/1331876307796
http://www.pettravel.com/immigration/canada.cfm
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/plan/special-assistance/pets.html
https://www.aircanada.com/cargo/en/shipping/shipping-solutions/ac-live/

I hope it helps.

Hi, have you moved yet? How was the experience with your dog? Can you please share the details. I am planning on Moving in April 2018 with my 6 year old lab.

 

[SanKanKun]

I travelled with a dog a golden retriever to Canada Tronto airport as tourist and stayed there for three months last year July 2016. Again this year in June , we are planning to do the PR landing with the same dog....

Please carry the vaccination, Rabies is a must along with the normal annual shots all within 1 year and rabies prior to 30 days of travel. That's it. At the airport at customs as you have live animal , you need pay 40 CAD got the dog
.a. permit to take out of the airport. They will verify the document of vaccination.
Watch out for airline rules and crate requirements etc.... That you can contract the local airline.

Lufthansa and KLM I used as they take care of your pet well....

Hi,
Did you take your dog to Toronto ? which airline and how was the experience? also where did you fly from , which city/country. I am planning on taking my 6 year old Lab in April....she will be nearly 7 by then....

 

[steaky]

Hi, I'm in the same situation, but we are planning to move in November 2017. We have a mixed bread female dog, 18kg. The info I collected so far:

• Need vaccination papers - rabbies vaccination is required if you are coming from a country that isn't considered rabbies free
• Special crate is required for travel, must not leak - so bottom has to be closed, cannot be collapsable, the dog must be able to stand and turn around - I heard they take this very seriously
• Very-very small dogs might travel with you in the cabin, but most airlines also have total weight limits for "baggage or cargo pets" - ours is too big for cabin, but she is quite small for baggage, you might have a problem if your dog is like 30+ kg, check with the airline. Air Canada has the limit at 45kg total including crate.
• Temperature restrictions: most airlines do not allow dogs to be taken on board if the expected temperature at departure / transfer / destination is above 27C or below 7C. So be mindful of that if you are planning to move in summer.
• Certain airlines, e.g. AirCanada, require a mandatory 1 day break at transfer if the journey is long, I think the limit was either flight is longer than 8 hours, but I need to double-check.

A few links:
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/imports/policies/live-animals/pets/dogs/eng/1331876172009/1331876307796
http://www.pettravel.com/immigration/canada.cfm
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/plan/special-assistance/pets.html
https://www.aircanada.com/cargo/en/shipping/shipping-solutions/ac-live/

I hope it helps.

No rabies papers is needed if the dog is under 3 months of age.

 

[steaky]

Hi,
Did you take your dog to Toronto ? which airline and how was the experience? also where did you fly from , which city/country. I am planning on taking my 6 year old Lab in April....she will be nearly 7 by then....

Instead of asking others for reviews, might be more helpful if you give us the city/country you fly from.