Pet Travel - Mascot Animal Hospital

Pet Travel & Relocation

Planning a trip with your dog or cat? We'll help you get the medical side sorted.
Travel requirements vary by destination, how you're getting there, and which countries you're passing through — and they can change with little notice. This page covers what we walk pet parents through at Mascot, plus the official resources you'll need to confirm requirements for your specific trip.

Start Here

The most important thing we tell every pet parent planning travel: start early.

Some documents must be completed within a specific window before your departure date. Leaving things until the last minute can mean delays, denied boarding, or complications on arrival. Here’s a general breakdown of what’s typically involved:

Travelling within your province: No certificate required. Current vaccination records are sufficient.

Travelling between Canadian provinces: Vet-signed vaccination records are generally what you need. No formal health certificate is required for most domestic travel.

Flying within Canada: Check directly with your airline policies vary on crate requirements, breed restrictions, and in-cabin versus cargo rules.

Travelling internationally: A CFIA-accredited health certificate is required, signed by your veterinarian and endorsed by a CFIA veterinarian. Timing matters — this paperwork needs to be completed close to your departure date. Some destinations also require a rabies titre test, which must be arranged well in advance.

Always confirm requirements for your destination and any transit countries before booking your appointment with us.

Official Resources

These are the sources we point Surrey pet parents to for confirming entry and travel requirements. Rules are set by governments and airlines — always verify directly and double-check close to your travel date.

Government of Canada – Travelling with Pets → https://inspection.canada.ca/en/travelling-pets-food-plants/travelling-pets

Canadian Food Inspection Agency – Animal Health Certificates → https://inspection.canada.ca

IPATA – International Pet Transport Guidelines → https://animaltravel.com

What to Bring for Your Dog or Cat

Beyond the paperwork, make sure you have these ready before you travel:

Vaccination records and your pet’s health certificate
Any medications your pet takes, with enough supply for the full trip
An ID tag with your current phone number — include the country code if you’re going international
Confirmation that your pet’s microchip is registered and your contact details are up to date (we can check this at your appointment)
A carrier or crate that meets your airline’s specifications — verify directly with your carrier
A travel water bowl

How Mascot Can Help

We handle the medical and documentation side of pet travel for dogs and cats — domestic and international.

At Mascot Animal Hospital, we can:

Perform the required travel physical exam
Update any vaccinations needed before departure
Microchip your pet and confirm registration if needed
Complete official health certificates based on the requirements you bring to your appointment

One important note: travel requirements are set by governments and airlines, not by us. Please arrive with your written destination requirements so we can complete the correct documentation accurately and on time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a travel certificate for my dog or cat?

It depends on where and how you’re travelling. Within your home province, no certificate is needed. For travel between Canadian provinces, current vaccination records are typically sufficient. For international travel, a CFIA-accredited health certificate is required — and some destinations have additional requirements on top of that. Always confirm before booking your appointment with us.

Do you provide international travel certificates for dogs and cats?

Yes. Our veterinarians can complete health certificates for both dogs and cats travelling internationally. Please bring your destination’s written requirements to your appointment so we can complete the correct documentation.

How close to my travel date does the certificate need to be completed?

For most international trips, the health certificate must be completed and endorsed close to your departure date — sometimes within a specific window set by your destination country. This is why we ask pet parents to plan ahead and not leave the paperwork to the last minute.

Does my dog or cat need a rabies titre test?

Some countries require a rabies antibody titre test before entry. If your destination requires one, it needs to be arranged well in advance — in some cases months before your trip. Check your destination’s entry requirements as early as possible.

Do I need a new certificate for each trip?

Yes, in most cases. Health certificates are trip-specific and valid for a limited time. You’ll need a new one for each international journey.

Do I need an appointment for a travel certificate?

Yes. A physical examination is required before any health certificate can be issued.

What if I'm travelling by car or ferry rather than flying?

Land and sea travel can still require documentation depending on where you’re going. Crossing into the US by road, for example, has its own entry requirements. Check the rules for your specific destination regardless of how you’re getting there.

Is my service animal or ESA subject to the same rules?

Yes. Service animals and emotional support animals are subject to the same health certificate and vaccination requirements as other pets when travelling.

What should I bring to my travel appointment?

Your written destination entry requirements, your pet’s existing vaccination records, and your travel dates. The more detail you arrive with, the more accurately and efficiently we can complete your paperwork.