Get an International Health Certificate stating that your pets are free of any contagious diseases and are in good health to travel throughout the country. This can be given by any veterinarian after a regular check-up. No blood tests are usually necessary, unless there is a risk or chance of infection. Health certificates should be issued not more than 6 weeks before your entry into Canada and have a USDA endorsement or seal of approval, which your veterinarian should be able to get for you.
Make sure your pet is current in its rabies vaccination. You will need to show a certificate to get through customs and sometimes to cross state lines. Some areas also require that your pets wear an ID tag stating that they are current on their vaccination, along with showcasing the vaccination serial number or ID registration.
Visit the PetFriendly Canada website to find out about accommodation and travel rules when going through Canada. The site will also help you search for updates on pet policies in the different cities and regions, including new vaccination requirements or warnings about outbreaks and potential problems (see Resources below).
Make sure you have a translated copy of the health certificate if you’re traveling to French-speaking areas of Canada. While it’s likely that most official workers will be able to speak English at some degree, you may still need a translation to check into hotels or board a plane or train.
Plan your travels well in advance. Dogs usually take well to traveling long distances, but cats and most small pets may have trouble adjusting to movement and strange sounds and smells. Always bring along enough food to last you for the whole trip, so you don’t have to worry about switching brands in the way and risking stomachaches or other digestive problems. If your pet needs special medications, make sure you find out if the Canadian equivalent has the same brand name or if you need to search for an alternative.
