Moving Pets from Canada to the USA: A Simpler Process Than You Might Expect
Moving pets between Canada and the USA is genuinely one of the world’s simpler international pet moves. The two countries share a long land border, have closely aligned veterinary systems, and the CDC’s dog import rules are relatively streamlined for dogs with full US vaccination history.
What the USA Requires for Dogs from Canada
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) governs dog imports into the USA:
- Rabies vaccination – current certificate (must be valid on date of entry)
- Microchip – required for dogs that have been in certain high-risk countries previously (less relevant for Canada-to-USA moves if the dog has lived only in Canada and the USA)
- Health certificate – a standard veterinary health certificate is recommended; required by most airlines but not always at land borders
For dogs that have been in countries outside Canada and the USA, CDC’s enhanced dog import requirements may apply. Check current CDC guidance at cdc.gov/importation/dogs.html.
What the USA Requires for Cats
No health certificate or rabies vaccination is federally required for cats entering the USA from Canada. However:
- Individual states may have requirements
- Airlines require a health certificate for all pets
- A current rabies vaccination is good practice and may be required by your destination state
Land Border Crossings
Crossing by car is the most common route. At the crossing:
- Declare your pets on the CBSA (leaving Canada) and CBP (entering the USA) forms
- Have the rabies certificate and any health records accessible
- CBP may ask basic questions about the animal (species, age, vaccination status)
- Physical inspection is uncommon for pets with complete documentation
Busy crossings (Windsor-Detroit, Niagara, Peace Bridge) are generally efficient. Smaller crossings may have fewer staff but often shorter queues.
Flying from Canada to the USA
For air travel:
- Most airlines require a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
- Cabin pet policies vary significantly by airline – Air Canada, WestJet, and US carriers each have different rules
- Check the specific airline’s policy before booking
Moving to Hawaii
Hawaii is a separate case. Despite being a US state, Hawaii’s biosecurity rules mean that even pets from Canada need to meet Hawaii’s full import program requirements (titre test, specific waiting period). Pets cannot simply fly from Canada to Hawaii as a domestic US move. See the HDOA website (hdoa.hawaii.gov) for full Hawaii requirements.
After Crossing: State Registration
Some US states require dogs to be licensed with the local county or city within a specified period of establishing residency. Annual rabies vaccination is required by most states. Check your destination state’s requirements.
This guide is accurate as of May 2026. CDC dog import rules change – verify at cdc.gov/importation before travel.