Taking your dog or cat along is the best part of the trip, the paperwork is not. At our North York and Parliament veterinary clinics, we handle the exam and the documents together, for travel within Canada, to the US, and overseas, including CFIA-endorsed certificates and rabies titre testing, with honest timelines so nothing derails your plans. Open 7 days a week at both of our veterinary clinics.
CFIA-ready paperwork
Titre testing arranged
Honest timelines
Open 7 days a week
Travelling within Canada with your pet
Good news first, if you’re staying within your own province, your pet doesn’t need anything extra. For travel elsewhere in Canada, up-to-date vaccination records signed by your veterinarian are what you need, and we’ll make sure yours are current and in hand. If you’re flying, check your airline’s pet policies ahead of time, since carriers set their own rules and forms, bring them to your visit and we’ll complete whatever they ask for.
International travel and the CFIA certificate
For international trips, your pet needs a CFIA travel certificate: a health certificate completed after an exam, signed by your TVS veterinarian and a CFIA veterinarian within ten to fourteen days before your trip. Every country sets its own entry rules, especially around vaccines, and some require a quarantine period on arrival, so bring the exact certificate your destination requires to your appointment and we’ll work through it together. A fresh certificate is needed for every international trip, and an itinerary that crosses several countries may need more than one. Most EU countries follow shared rules; other regions differ, and requirements change, so we’ll confirm what’s current for your destination before you fly.
Rabies titre testing for strict-entry countries
Some destinations require proof that your pet’s rabies vaccine actually took. A rabies titre test is a blood test, sent to an external laboratory, that measures your pet’s rabies antibodies. Results can take six weeks or more to come back, so this is the step that decides your whole timeline. Destinations that require it include Australia, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, and Qatar. If yours is on that list, or you’re not sure, talk to us as early as you can and we’ll arrange the test and build the schedule backwards from your departure date.
When to start your pet’s travel paperwork
The honest answer, earlier than you think. If your destination requires a titre test, start months ahead, since the lab work alone runs six weeks or more. For standard international trips, book the exam so the certificate is signed inside the ten-to-fourteen-day window before departure. Domestic documents are usually quick. Once we know where you’re going, we’ll give you an exact timeline and make sure every date lines up, including the CFIA step.
What to pack when travelling with your dog or cat
Alongside your pet’s daily essentials, bring:
- Records: physical and digital copies of the travel certificate, vaccination history, and any other relevant medical documents.
- A vet contact at your destination: the phone number of a veterinary clinic where you’re headed, found before you need it.
- Medication: an adequate supply of anything your pet takes, packed in your carry-on where possible.
- Identification: a collar tag with your cell number, including the country code if you’re leaving Canada.
- Microchip check: confirm the chip reads properly and your registration details are current before you go.
- Carrier: a travel-approved crate or carrier that meets your airline or transport guidelines.
- Water bowl: a portable bowl to keep your pet hydrated along the way.
Why choose TVS for your pet’s Travel Certificate
- The exam and the paperwork handled together, for domestic and international trips
- CFIA certificate guidance, timed to the signing window your trip requires
- Rabies vaccines, certificates, and titre testing arranged in one place
- Destination homework done with you: forms, timelines, and your country’s exact requirements
- Honest timelines, so paperwork never derails the trip
- Microchip checks and registration updates before you go
- Transparent pricing, quoted upfront
- Two Toronto veterinary clinics, North York and Parliament, open 7 days a week
Common questions about
Travel Certificate
Owners trust us with the animals they love, and we don’t take that lightly.
No. Canada doesn’t issue pet passports; the passport scheme you’ve heard of belongs to the EU and is issued there. For Canadian pets, the travelling package is up-to-date vaccination records plus the health certificate your destination requires, CFIA-endorsed for international trips. We prepare all of it with you, so your pet’s “passport” is simply the right documents, done right.
Yes. Crossing the border by car, train, or boat still requires the right documents and vaccination records, not just flights. US entry requirements have changed in recent years and can change again, so we’ll confirm exactly what’s current for your trip at your travel exam and make sure your paperwork matches it.
A rabies titre test (also spelled titer) is a blood test, run by an external laboratory, that confirms your pet has enough rabies antibodies for entry into strict-rules destinations. Results can take six weeks or more, so it’s the first thing to plan. Countries that require it include Australia, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, and Qatar, and we’ll confirm your destination’s current rules when you book.
Yes. Service animals and ESAs need the same travel certificates and must meet the same health requirements as any other pet. Airlines may have additional documentation of their own, so check your carrier’s policy and bring their forms to your appointment.
Yes, a fresh CFIA certificate is required for every international trip, and an itinerary that includes several countries may need more than one. Most EU countries follow shared entry rules, while other regions set their own, so we’ll map exactly what your route needs each time.
Available at both clinics
Urgent visits can be booked at either location, by phone or online. Our North York pet clinic stays open the latest, as late as 11pm.
Toronto North Animal Hospital (North York)
Your North York vet, serving Willowdale, Lansing, Bayview Village, and the Yonge and Sheppard area.
Parliament Animal Hospital (Cabbagetown)
Your Cabbagetown vet, serving Riverdale, Regent Park, Corktown, and St. James Town.
