Pet Imports

Under the National Animal Health Program, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency establishes import requirements for all animals and animal products entering Canada-including domestic pets. The Agency can refuse entry to any animal presented for importation.
Import guidelines for the more common pets can be found at the following links:

• Amphibians and reptiles
• Birds (from the United States)
• Birds (from countries other than the United States)
  
  *Important note to Pet bird owners traveling to Mexico by land, through the United States: Due to the fact that most of Mexico is not considered to be free of Newcastle Disease, birds returning to Canada from Mexico, cannot enter back into the United States, by land. Alternative arrangements must be made, prior to departure. For more details on re-entry into Canada, please contact your local CFIA office.
  

• Cats
• Dogs
• Fish
• Foxes, skunks, raccoons and ferrets
• Guinea pigs, gerbils, mice, rats, chinchillas, hamsters, and other rodents
• Horses (from the United States)
• Pet rabbits
• Pet primates
• Scorpions or spiders

If the animal you wish to import is not listed, please refer to the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS), which provides information on import requirements for all commodities regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. If you need information on importing exotic pet animals, you can refer to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada (PIJAC Canada) Web site.

Comments or requests for additional information.