Pet Transport from Canada to Russia
Planning a pet relocation from Canada to Russia is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. Allow about 8-13 weeks; the requirements are detailed but predictable once mapped out. Compliant pets are not held in quarantine on arrival. No rabies …
The Canada to Russia import process
Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.
Responsible: Your Canadian vet.
Responsible: You or an IPATA-registered agent.
Responsible: You or your agent.
Responsible: CFIA-accredited veterinarian.
Responsible: You, your agent, and both airlines' cargo teams.
Responsible: Rosselkhoznadzor veterinary officer.
What your pet needs to enter Russia
Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.
What this route typically costs
Critical points
There have been no direct flights between Canada and Russia since Transport Canada closed Canadian airspace to Russian-owned, chartered or operated aircraft on 27-28 February 2022. Russia's own restrictions on Western carriers mirror this. Neither shows signs of lifting in mid-2026.
Because there is no through-ticket, this move needs two separate live-animal bookings with a tight handover at the transit airport. A missed connection or a paperwork mismatch between legs, not the Russian import rules themselves, is the most likely source of delay.
The Dubai routing only became a realistic second option after the 19 June 2026 ceasefire ended the regional conflict that had grounded Gulf capacity since late February. Confirm current schedules close to travel rather than assuming this recovery is permanent.
Approved carriers for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.
How Russia handles incoming pets
What experienced owners do
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.