When the trip is a family visit, it’s natural to search for a single form. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency starts with questions about the animal and how it is entering Canada. Use the dog’s actual age, country of origin and the purpose of travel. A personal pet can fall under different requirements from a dog being brought in for resale, adoption or another commercial purpose. The right category matters even when the trip starts in the same US state. CFIA pet import requirements checker
Keep the result with your itinerary
Open the instructions for your circumstances and record which documents the checker specifies. If it calls for a rabies vaccination record or other veterinary documentation, let the clinic see the official requirements in time to resolve any missing detail. Check the carrier’s conditions separately if you’re using one. At the border, be ready to present the paperwork and make it clear who is traveling with the dog and why.
If you’re returning to the US, set aside time for the US check too. The Canadian decision is about the northbound journey. The CDC’s return requirements depend in part on where the dog has been in the preceding six months. Save each set of requirements separately and recheck before leaving. CFIA travel guidance · CDC dog import guidance
