Note:
Since we're primerily concerned with the importation of guide dogs in to Canada only the relevant information concerning the importation of dogs in to Canada will be included in this document. Questions about importing other types of pets in to Canada can be found at the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency's World-wide Web Site. The National Animal Health Program is responsible for establishing import requirements for animals and animal products coming into Canada, including pets. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has prepared basic guidelines for frequently imported pets. The pet import requirements outlined in these pages are current as of 2003-6-26 .
Importation of Pet Dogs
The pet import requirements outlined in this page are current as of 2003-6-26 .
The following outlines the current conditions that apply to the import of pet dogs into Canada. For the importation of commercial shipments, please see
Section 6 below for information on accessing import requirements through AIRS.
NOTE 1:
CURRENT POLICY DOES NOT IMPOSE A QUARANTINE IN CANADA ON THE IMPORT OF PET DOGS FROM ANY COUNTRY.
NOTE 2:
THESE CONDITIONS APPLY ONLY TO PET DOGS. IF YOU HAVE MANY DOGS, YOU MAY BE ASKED TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATION THAT THEY ARE YOUR PERSONAL PETS AND
ARE NOT FOR RESALE.
NOTE 3:
THESE CONDITIONS ALSO APPLY TO TEMPORARY VISITS.
Section 1
Pet dogs (8) months of age or over from a
Rabies-Free Country
(officially recognized as such by Canada)
1.1
Dogs may enter Canada if accompanied by a certificate, in either English or French, of an official government veterinarian(1). The certificate must clearly
identify the animals and show that:
1.1.1
rabies has not existed in that country for the (6) month period immediately preceding the shipment of the animals; and,
1.1.2
the animals have been in that country for the (6) month period referred to in paragraph 1.1.1, or since birth.
1.2
The same applies to dogs that were originally from Canada and are being returned directly from a country designated by the Minister as having been free
from rabies for not less than (6) months. This would include dogs coming out of a quarantine imposed by the exporting country before that quarantine
period is completed.
1.3
If the certificate required in paragraph 1.1 is not provided, as an alternative, the animals could enter Canada subject to rabies vaccination as outlined
in Section 2 below.
1.4
If the provisions of 1.1 or 1.3 are not met, an inspector will order the owner to have the animals vaccinated for rabies within a period of time specified
in the order and to provide the vaccination certificate to an inspector, all at the owner's expense.
Section 2
Pet dogs eight (8) months of age or over from countries where rabies is present (or not recognized officially rabies-free by Canada)
2.1
Dogs may enter Canada if accompanied by a valid rabies vaccination certificate issued, in either English or French, by a licensed veterinarian(2), which
clearly identifies the dogs and shows that they are currently vaccinated against rabies. This certificate should identify the animal, as in breed, colour,
weight, etc., plus indicate the name of the licensed rabies vaccine used (trade name), serial number and duration of validity (up to 3 years). Please note
that if a validity date does not appear on the certificate, then it will be considered a one year vaccine.
2.2
If the provisions of 2.1 are not met, an inspector will order the owner to have the animals vaccinated for rabies within a period of time specified in the
order and to provide the vaccination certificate to an inspector, all at the owner's expense.
Section 3
Pet dogs (8) months of age or younger from any country
3.1
Pet dogs accompanied by the owner between the ages of three* (3) and eight (8) months require certification for rabies, in accordance with Section 1 if
from a Rabies-free country, or in accordance with Section 2 if from a country that is not designated as Rabies-free. No additional certification is required. Rabies vaccination or certification that the dog comes from a rabies-free country is not required if the animals is less than three (3) months of age.
3.2
Pet dogs not accompanied by the owner require, in addition to the certificate requirements in paragraph 3.1:
3.2.1
a detailed health certificate, in English or French, of a veterinarian that bears the signature of the licensed veterinarian and the name of the veterinarian
recorded legibly in the veterinarian's handwriting, and that clearly identifies the dogs and states:
3.2.1.1
that the veterinarian has examined the dogs and is satisfied that the dogs
i. are not less than (8) weeks of age at the time of examination,
ii. are free of any clinical evidence of disease,
iii. were vaccinated not earlier than at (6) weeks of age for distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza virus, and
iv. can be transported to Canada without undue suffering by reason of infirmity, illness, injury, fatigue or any other cause,
3.2.1.2
the date on which the dogs were vaccinated, that the vaccine was licensed by the country of origin of the dogs, and the trade name and serial number of
the vaccine, and
3.2.1.3
the date and time of the examination referred to in subparagraph 3.2.1.1, recorded legibly in the veterinarian's handwriting, and are imported into Canada
not more than seventy-two (72) hours after the time of the examination referred to in clause 3.2.1.1.
Section 4
Special purpose dogs
Assistance dogs that are certified as a guide, hearing or other service dog are not subject to any restrictions for importation where the person importing
the dog is the user of the dog and accompanies the dog to Canada
Section 5
Fees
Fees are payable for inspection of dogs being imported into Canada from countries other than the United States. In certain cases, dogs imported from the
United States will require inspection; inspection fees will apply. Upon arrival at the first port of entry in Canada, the dog and the accompanying paperwork
will be inspected. The fee must be paid at the time of inspection.
The current fees are:
$30.00 + tax for the first animal in the shipment
$5.00 + tax for each additional animal in the shipment
If you do not meet the requirements and your animal must be vaccinated upon arrival in Canada (as outlined in 1.4 and 2.2 above), the following fees apply:
$55.00 + tax for the first animal in the shipment
$30.00 + tax for each additional animal in the shipment.
Section 6
Automated Import Reference System (AIRS)
The purpose of the AIRS is to provide information on import requirements for all commodities regulated by CFIA. The application uses a question and answer
approach to guide the user through a series of questions about the Harmonized System (HS) Codes, origin, destination, end use and miscellaneous qualifiers
of the product they wish to import. If you are importing dogs and the above conditions do not apply, to view the current import requirements, please refer to AIRS (
www.airs-sari.inspection.gc.ca)
HS Code Selection: 01 06 19 2083.
Commercial breeders who may be importing dogs under eight (8) months of age on a temporary basis for competition in a show or trial, may be exempt from
requiring a permit if, at the time of importation, the importer provides an inspector with proof that the dog is entered in a show or trial organized by
a recognized association in addition to the rabies certificate set out in Section 1 if from a Rabies-free country or set out under Section 2 if from a
country that is not designated as Rabies-free.
Deffinitions
(1) An official government veterinarian is a veterinarian who works for the government veterinary service in the country of origin.
(2) A licensed veterinarian is a veterinarian who is licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the country of origin.
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