Bringing a cat into Canada? Your cat needs a rabies vaccination certificate if 3 months or older, and no CFIA-mandated microchip. If you’re arriving from outside the US, a CBSA inspection fee (CAD $36.95 for the first animal) applies. No quarantine is required for a compliant cat. Here’s exactly what CFIA and CBSA require.
No Quarantine for Compliant Cats
A cat that meets the requirements below faces no quarantine at the Canadian border. If your cat’s documentation isn’t in order, CFIA doesn’t impose a fixed quarantine period either — instead, you’d need to have your cat vaccinated within a specified time at your own expense and present proof to a CFIA Animal Health Office, plus a higher vaccination-order fee.
Rabies Vaccination Certificate
- Under 3 months old: No rabies certificate required — just proof of age from a vet, and the cat must appear healthy.
- 3 months or older: Your cat must have been vaccinated against rabies at 3 months of age or older, with a certificate presented at the border.
The certificate needs to be in English or French (or officially translated), issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian, and identify your cat by age, breed, sex, colour/markings, and microchip number if applicable, plus the rabies vaccination date, vaccine trade name and serial number, and the vaccine’s validity period. If no validity period is stated, CFIA treats the vaccine as valid for 1 year from the vaccination date.
Source: CFIA — Importing and travelling with pets
Is a Microchip Required for Cats?
No. CFIA does not require a microchip or tattoo for a domestic cat entering Canada as a personal pet. We still recommend one as a backup form of identification, but it’s not a border requirement, and there’s no ISO-11784/11785 standard Canada enforces — that’s a EU/Northern Ireland rule, not a Canadian one.
CBSA Inspection Fees
If you’re arriving from outside the United States, the CFIA/CBSA inspection fee is CAD $36.95 for the first animal and CAD $6.16 for each additional animal, effective 31 March 2026. This fee does not apply to cats arriving from the US. If a border officer issues a vaccination order because your documentation isn’t in order, that fee is CAD $67.75 for the first animal and CAD $36.95 for each additional — and that one applies from every country, including the US.
Source: CBSA — Inspections and fees
Traveling Within Canada with Your Cat
Domestic travel within Canada doesn’t require a rabies certificate, but keeping your cat’s vaccination records current is a good idea, and airlines may have their own carrier and health-certificate requirements — check with your carrier before booking.
Arriving at Toronto Pearson
Most cats arriving in Canada by air land at Toronto Pearson International Airport, where CFIA and CBSA officers inspect documentation. If you’re settling anywhere across the GTA, see our service area pages for pickup coverage in North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Mississauga, and Brampton.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a pet passport cost for a cat entering Canada?
There’s no fixed cost — it depends on your vet’s fees for the rabies vaccination and certificate, plus the CBSA inspection fee (CAD $36.95, waived from the US). Ask your vet for an estimate specific to your cat.
Does my cat need a rabies certificate to enter Canada?
Only if your cat is 3 months old or older. Cats under 3 months need only proof of age and a clean bill of health.
Is a microchip required for my cat?
No. CFIA doesn’t mandate a microchip for a personal pet cat entering Canada.
Will my cat be quarantined if something’s missing from my paperwork?
No fixed quarantine — you’d need to have your cat vaccinated within a specified time at your own expense and present proof to CFIA, plus pay the higher vaccination-order fee.
Do I need a pet passport to travel within Canada with my cat?
No, domestic travel within Canada doesn’t require a rabies certificate, though keeping vaccination records current and checking your airline’s own policy is still a good idea.
Let Us Handle Your Cat’s Journey
Cats can be especially sensitive travelers, and our cat transport service is built around that — climate-controlled vehicles, secure carriers, and a calm, unhurried approach. If you’re relocating across a border, our international pet relocation team can help with the paperwork too. Call us at 647-477-5858 or reserve your ride to get started.
