Pets traveling internationally from Canada must have their health certificates issued by their veterinarian and endorsed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) prior to travel. CFIA health certificate endorsement is required to export a pet to a foreign country. The following is the procedure for acquiring this certification.
Your veterinarian will complete the veterinary health certificate including:
- Number and species of pets*.
- Breed, sex, age and color or animal identification.
- Name and address of the owner OR the kennel of origin.
- Origination and destination countries.
- Vaccination information including manufacturer, dates of vaccination, lot numbers and expiration dates.
- Veterinary attestations
- That your pet did not originate from an area where rabies has occurred or is under quarantine for rabies.
- That your pet has not been exposed to rabies.
- That your pet is healthy and shows no signs of contagious diseases.
*Note that some health certificates are only valid for one pet.
Some countries require a rabies titer test which should be attached to the health certificate along with the rabies certificate(s). Many countries also require a certificate of treatment against ticks and tapeworms sometimes referred to as the Echinococcus treatment which should be included on the health certificate along with manufacturer name, administration date and validity date.
Your veterinarian must sign and date the forms required for the country your pet is traveling to in any color of ink other than black.
After making an appointment, take or mail the original of the form(s) to the nearest CFIA and they will endorse and stamp them.
There is a fee for CFIA endorsement ($22.00). More than one pet with the same owner going to the same destination can be listed on a form if the destination country permits it. If your veterinarian uses separate forms for each animal, there will be a cost per form.
If there is not a CFIA office located nearby you can send the forms by mail. Include:
- The original of the form(s)
- Payment in the amount of $22 per form
- A postage-paid, self-addressed, stamped, envelope for returning the forms to you.
The CFIA normally sends the forms back within two business days of receiving them.
The addresses and phone numbers for the CFIA offices are listed here.
NOTE: It is recommended that you call in advance to make sure of the method of payment and amount.
Related: More information about health certificates
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