Air Travel From India To Canada

Pet relocation through an airplane may sound challenging, but if followed correctly, it is an easy way to transport your pet to your desired country.

Here is an elaborate method to transport your pet to Canada in a few simple steps.

Which Airline to Choose?

It is important to choose pet-friendly airlines before booking your tickets. A few pet-friendly airlines are:

Air Canada, Lufthansa, KLM, Delta Airlines, and American Airlines.

Pets can generally enter Canada through any international airport that has customs and border services capabilities. 

Pets travelling as cargo often clear customs at airports with dedicated cargo facilities and veterinary services.

Who Can Travel?

• Mostly, dogs and cats travel by airplane from India to Canada.
• Snub-nosed dogs are not allowed to travel in Cargo.
• Pregnant pets are not allowed to travel.
• Your dog must be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned, and older than 3 months for rabies vaccination requirements.
• Canada has a temporary ban on commercial dog imports from countries considered high-risk for rabies.

Modes of Travel

Your pet can travel as manifest cargo, checked baggage, or in the cabin.

In-Cabin:

Only very small pets, around 8 kg including the carrier, can travel in the cabin. The carrier should be a small, soft-sided one that can fit under the seat.

Checked Baggage:

The pet that weighs around 32 kg, including the carrier, can travel in cargo on the same flight as you.

Manifest Cargo:

Your pet will travel in a separate flight, possibly before or after you.

How to Book a Flight

Online pet ticket booking is quite easy. To add your pet to your reservation, simply get in touch with the airlines. They will tell you which flight you may book for yourself so that your pet can travel with you.

Carrier

• The container for the dog should be properly ventilated and big enough for your dog.
•  The size requirements for dog travel containers vary depending on whether the pet flies in the cabin or the cargo hold.
• Most airlines set a size limit at around 19″ L × 12.6″ W × 10″ H, with a combined maximum weight (dog + container) of approximately 7–10 kg when traveling in the cabin.
• For cargo, larger containers are permitted, with specifications up to 36’ L x 28’’ W x 28’’ H for some airlines.  
• When internal height is added to the container, the height of the bedding should be added to the container.

It is quite important to have a good size for your carrier so that your cat or dog can stand, lie, or turn around. 

Your carrier should be IATA-approved.

Documents Needed

Here is a list of all the documents you will need when traveling from India to Canada.

Microchip:

• You should get your pet a microchip. It should be done 30 days before the rabies vaccine. It has a unique identification number which includes:
  • Name
  • Contact number
  • Address
  • Clinical records of your pet
  • Make sure the microchip is a 15-digit ISO-compliant type, adhering to Standard 11784/11785.

Vaccination Record:

Your primary veterinarian in India will be the one to administer all vaccinations and issue the initial vaccination records/card. The vaccination record will include:

Pet’s Identification:

• Full name of your pet.
• Breed
• Sex
• age (date of birth)
• color, and distinguishing markings.
• Microchip number.

Owner’s Information:

• Full name and address of the owner in India.
• Full name and address of the owner in Canada (destination). It is optional if you don’t have an address in destination country then no need to mention it. 
• Contact information.

Vaccination Details (especially for Rabies):

• Rabies Vaccination:
  • Vaccine Trade Name 
  • Lot Number/Batch Number
  • Expiry Date of the Vaccine
  • Date of Vaccination
  • Duration of Immunity
  • Vaccination Schedule
• Other Core Vaccinations:
  • For Dogs: Details for DHLPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus).
  • For Cats: Details for FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia).
  • For dogs, specifically, that they are free from canine distemper, parvovirus infection, and leptospirosis.
  • For cats, specifically, they are free from distemper, feline enteritis, and feline panleukopenia.
  • Include vaccine names, dates, lot numbers, and expiry dates for these as well.

Veterinarian’s Information:

• Full name of the licensed veterinarian.
• Veterinarian’s license number.
• Clinic name, address, and contact information.
• Signature and Official Stamp.

 The vaccination certificate usually needs to be issued within a specific timeframe (e.g., 72 hours or 10 days) before departure, as required by the airline and/or destination country.

Rabies Vaccination Certificate:

Rabies titer test is typically not a mandatory requirement for pet entry into Canada from India for accompanying pets. However, a valid Rabies vaccination certificate is required.  It must be issued by a licensed veterinarian in India and include specific details:

• Owner’s name
• Owner’s address
• Pet’s description
• Microchip number
• All the details of the vaccine
• Veterinarian’s information

The vaccination must be administered at least 30 days before travel, but within 12 months. 

Health Certificate:

This certificate is issued by a certified local veterinarian and framed according to the requirements of your destination country, i.e., Canada. It includes all the pet details, owner details, vaccine details, tapeworm treatment, etc., and declares whether the pet is fit to travel internationally or not.

Here is a link for the Health certificate format needed for traveling to Canada.

You can also visit the website of the government of Canada for more assistance.

Non-Commercial Declaration:

Commercial dog imports from India are banned; therefore, you need to self-declare that your dog/pet is not for commercial purposes and that it is your pet for relocation. You may need it at AQCS office. 

No Objection Certificate:

• You will be required to have a no-objection certificate from AQCS when traveling from India to Canada. You need to book an appointment with AQCS through their email and confirm it through their contact number.
• You need all the documents mentioned above, along with the photograph of your pet. It should be done within 10 days of your departure. 
• The government veterinarian will check your pet along with the document and provide an NOC to you.
• AQCS offices are located primarily in Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai.

Air Waybill:

If your pet is traveling as cargo, it is important to get your air waybill for a smooth trip. It will help you to track your pet and collect it at the destination

Customs and Border Services (CBSA) at the Airport

• You must declare your pet upon arrival to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer.
• For the safer side, you should contact to  the Canadian airport and the CBSA office at least 10 days before your arrival in advance,  send a separate email to Canadian airport and the CBSA office, and ask them about the procedure and inform them your arrival with your pet.
• The CBSA officer will check your pet and the documents provided by you. There will be an inspection fee for the same.
• When the CBSA requires veterinary advice or expertise, it may contact the CFIA. For additional examination, the animal can occasionally be sent to the CFIA.
• for fee related query during inspection by CFIA visit CFIA Fee Notice.
• For more query, contact us at https://hobbsgo.com/contact/

Important Links:

https://inspection.canada.ca/en/importing-food-plants-animals/pets

https://www.aircanada.com/in/en/aco/home/plan/special-assistance/pets.html#/

https://aqcsindia.gov.in/Home/ExportPets