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Vaccination Certificate for Cats/Dogs

If you are bringing a cat or dog with you, you will need to have a vaccination certificate with you

Home > Before Landing > Bringing your cat, dog, or other pets > Vaccination Certificate for Cats/Dogs

Depending on whether you are bringing a cat or a dog, requirements differ a little bit. 

If you are bringing a cat to Canada, you have two options, either provide:

• a rabies vaccination certificate; OR
• a veterinary certificate asserting that the cat is from a rabies-free country.

If you are bringing a dog to Canada, you have to provide a rabies vaccination certificate.

The requirements for both certificates are found below.

Requirements of the Rabies Vaccination Certificate

​​The rabies vaccination certificate must:

• be written in English or French;
• be issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian;
• identify the animal (as in breed, colour, and weight);
• state that the animal is vaccinated against rabies;
• indicate the date of vaccination;
• indicate the trade name and the serial number of the licensed vaccine; and
• specify the duration of immunity (otherwise, it will be considered valid for one year from the date of vaccination).

The European Union pet passport is an acceptable alternative to the rabies vaccination certificate as long as all the required elements are included.

Requirements of the Veterinary Certificate (for cats only)

​If your cat is from a rabies-free country, the veterinary certificate must:

• be written in English or French,
• be issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian,
• identify the animal (as in breed, colour, and weight),
• state that the animal has been in the exporting country since birth or for at least six (6) months immediately preceding shipment to Canada, and
• be accompanied by documentation from a competent government authority, stating that rabies has not occurred in the country of origin for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the animal's shipment to Canada.

A competent government authority refers to a veterinary agency or other government agency that manages a country's animal health and welfare situation, as well as handles the responsibility of veterinary certification for the purposes of international trade. The document can be either:

• a letter issued on the competent government authority's letterhead, which must be dated, stamped and signed by an official of the competent government authority in the country of origin, or
• a letter by the licensed veterinarian who issued the certificate, which must be endorsed by the competent government authority.

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