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Exit guide

Taking a dog or cat out of Canada

Exit rules verifiedChecked 2026-10-09Authority: Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The steps the authorities in Canada require before your pet leaves, mostly the health certificate and who has to sign or endorse it. The destination adds its own requirements on top: pick it below, or make a dated plan.

The steps

  1. Official stamp

    Book your CFIA endorsement appointment

    An appointment with an official CFIA veterinarian is required to get your pet's export certificate endorsed. Book as early as you can: the endorsement has to happen before your pet leaves Canada.

    Details and the official words

    “An appointment is required to get your pet export certificate endorsed by an official CFIA veterinarian.”

    “Provide as much advance notice as possible when booking an appointment.”

  2. Official stamp

    CFIA endorsement of the export certificate

    Your licensed veterinarian completes the export certificate, then an official CFIA veterinarian endorses it. This must happen before your pet leaves Canada: CFIA cannot endorse a certificate once the animal has gone.

    Details and the official words

    If this is missed: CFIA cannot endorse or issue a certificate if the animal is no longer in Canada.

    “Most pets travelling from Canada to another country will need an export certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by an official Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) veterinarian.”

    “the CFIA cannot endorse or issue a certificate if the animal(s) is/are no longer in Canada”

Good to know

  • CFIA warns that countries can change their import requirements without telling it. Get the current requirements from the destination country's veterinary authority or embassy and compare them with the export certificate before you start.
  • Your pet transits another country: ask both the transit country's and the destination's veterinary authority (or embassy) what extra certification applies.When: Your route passes through another country
  • If the destination has no export certificate of its own and its import requirements can be met, the Canadian International Health Certificate can be used. Otherwise CFIA has to negotiate a certificate, which can take several months — contact your CFIA animal health office before you start.

Where are you taking your pet?

Routes from Canada where we cover both sides.