The journey from Canada to Dominican Republic for a pet is straightforward to plan once the key dates are mapped out. Give yourself roughly 3-5 weeks, though this route carries fewer hurdles than most. Pets with correct documentation skip …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Canada to Dominican Republic
typically takes around 3-5 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Canada to Dominican Republic pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Confirm rabies vaccination, administered between 30 days and 12 months before travel.
Responsible: Pet owner.
Before booking the vet appointment for the health certificate.
2
Examination by a CFIA-accredited vet and issue of the health certificate.
Responsible: CFIA-accredited veterinarian.
Within 15 days of travel.
3
Book cargo space with Air Canada or WestJet.
Responsible: Owner or agent.
2-4 weeks before departure.
4
Travel and present documents on arrival at SDQ or PUJ.
Responsible: DGAG officials on arrival.
Day of travel.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter Dominican Republic
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 required. Must be in place before travel and match all documents exactly.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Administered between 30 days and 12 months before entry.
Rabies titre test
Not required from Canada. The Dominican Republic reserves the titre test for arrivals it classifies as high-rabies-risk, and Canada is not one of them.
Quarantine
No quarantine. Veterinary inspection on arrival at Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) or Punta Cana International (PUJ).
Import permit
Not required for up to 5 personal pets.
Health certificate
Required. Issued within 15 days of travel, endorsed by a CFIA-accredited vet.
Export permit (Canada)
No formal export permit for personal pets leaving Canada.
Costs
What this route typically costs
CFIA-accredited vet exam and health certificate: CAD 150-350.
Cargo fee, Toronto, Montreal or Calgary to Santo Domingo or Punta Cana: CAD 400-800 depending on crate size and carrier.
IATA-approved travel crate: CAD 130-350.
Critical points to read before you book
No import permit is needed for up to 5 personal pets, but the health certificate still has a hard 15-day validity window.
Air Canada and WestJet both run heavy seasonal capacity to Punta Cana in winter; book pet cargo space early during peak sun-seeking season.
Match SDQ or PUJ to your actual destination in the country; both airports handle live animal arrivals but serve different regions.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
AIR CANADA
Air Canada
Direct YYZ-SDQ and YYZ-PUJ services, part of Air Canada's well-established winter-sun Caribbean network from Toronto.
Cargo Only
WESTJET
WestJet
Direct YYZ-PUJ and YYC-PUJ services, a strong alternative for owners closer to Western Canada.
Cargo Only
Dominican Republic import rules, explained
Dominican Republic keeps its import requirements relatively light, which makes preparing easier. Even so, the basics still need to be right and in the correct order.
Practical tips for this move
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
FAQ
Common questions about Canada to Dominican Republic pet transport
Not for up to 5 personal pets. No import permit is required at that scale, only the standard microchip, vaccination, and health certificate documentation.
No. The Dominican Republic only requires a titre test from countries it classifies as high-rabies-risk, and Canada isn’t one of them.
Yes. Air Canada operates direct services from Toronto to both SDQ and PUJ, and WestJet flies direct from Toronto and Calgary to PUJ.
Within 15 days of travel. Book the CFIA-accredited vet appointment with your actual departure date in mind.
Airline guides
Air Canada
WestJet
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.
Get a free, fully itemised quote for your Canada to Dominican Republic pet move. Our specialists will map out the entire timeline and costs. No surprises.