Pet transport rules within Canada.
For ordinary dogs and cats moving between Canadian provinces or territories, the main nationwide transport rules are federal humane-transport requirements. Provinces and territories add their own animal-welfare and local-control laws.
⚠ New World Screwworm advisory
CFIA states that screwworm is not present in Canada, but Canada is monitoring the 2026 U.S. outbreak. NWS can affect dogs and cats, so pets that have travelled through an affected area should be inspected for wounds and monitored after returning to Canada.
Coming to Canada from a U.S. NWS-affected area?
For dogs and cats, there is currently no additional CFIA NWS import prohibition based solely on coming from a U.S. NWS-affected area. Dogs and cats are not on CFIA’s current NWS restricted-species list. Normal Canadian dog/cat entry requirements still apply.
But the U.S. origin rules still matter: if the pet is inside an active Texas or New Mexico NWS infested zone, complete the applicable origin-state inspection, authorization, treatment, and movement requirements before the pet leaves that zone. New Mexico confirmed a new Grant County case on September 17, 2026 and is establishing a new infested zone.
CFIA advises owners and transporters to inspect dogs and cats for wounds or signs of screwworm after travel in affected areas and to contact a veterinarian immediately if infestation is suspected.
The current CFIA restricted-species list covers equines, pigs/wild boar, cattle/bison/water buffalo, sheep/goats, cervids, and camelids. For those covered species, CFIA currently lists Texas and New Mexico as affected U.S. states: animals originating in either state are prohibited, and covered animals from elsewhere generally cannot have resided in or transited through either affected state during the prior 21 days. Those restrictions do not currently apply to dogs or cats. The list can change, so verify it before a cross-border trip.
Check current CFIA NWS import restrictions →
Last checked: September 21, 2026
Federal humane-transport rules apply across provincial borders.
Part XII of Canada's Health of Animals Regulations applies to animals transported into, within, and out of Canada, including pets. CFIA also imposes specific duties on commercial carriers and people who transport animals in the course of business or for financial benefit.
Fit for the trip
Animals must be assessed as fit for the intended journey. A pet that becomes unfit during transport cannot simply continue to destination if doing so would cause suffering.
Safe vehicle and container
The transporter must use a suitable conveyance or container and protect the animal from injury, avoidable suffering, adverse conditions, and unsafe crowding.
Food, water, rest and monitoring
Transporters are responsible for planning the trip so the animal's welfare is protected throughout the journey, including appropriate monitoring and care.
No routine province-border CVI system identified
CFIA's nationwide guidance does not establish a U.S.-style routine province-border health-certificate system for ordinary pet dogs and cats moving within Canada. Provincial, territorial, municipal, rescue, sale, or species-specific rules can still apply.
Commercial-carrier contingency plan
CFIA requires every commercial carrier, and anyone transporting animals in the course of business or for financial benefit, to have a contingency plan for delays, emergencies, or an animal becoming compromised or unfit. People involved in the trip must know the applicable plan.
Transport records for business trips
Commercial carriers and others transporting animals for financial benefit must make animal-transport records before departure and during transport. CFIA guidance lists shipper/receiver and driver information, conveyance or crate information, cleaning and disinfection details, loading information, animal description and weight, food/water/rest events, and arrival information. Required written records must be kept for two years.
Knowledge, skills and employee training
Anyone involved in planning, loading, confining, transporting, or unloading animals must have the knowledge and skills needed to prevent injury, suffering, or death. Commercial carriers with employees involved in animal transport must also provide training so each employee understands their animal-welfare responsibilities.
Animal-welfare laws still follow you across Canada.
CFIA notes that every province and territory has animal-welfare legislation, and some jurisdictions have additional rules touching humane transport, animal care, disease control, shelters, rescues, or local animal control.
Alberta
Federal transport rules apply; Alberta's Animal Protection Act provides additional animal-welfare protections.
British Columbia
Federal transport rules apply; B.C.'s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act adds provincial welfare protections.
Manitoba
Federal transport rules apply; Manitoba's Animal Care Act and regulations add provincial welfare requirements.
New Brunswick
Federal transport rules apply; provincial SPCA legislation provides animal-welfare protections.
Newfoundland & Labrador
Federal transport rules apply; the Animal Health and Protection Act and related regulations protect domestic animals.
Nova Scotia
Federal transport rules apply; Nova Scotia's Animal Protection Act and Animal Health and Protection Act also apply.
Ontario
Federal transport rules apply; Ontario's Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act establishes provincial standards and enforcement.
Prince Edward Island
Federal transport rules apply; P.E.I.'s Animal Welfare Act and regulations provide provincial protections.
Québec
Federal transport rules apply; Québec's Animal Welfare and Safety Act protects designated companion and other animals.
Saskatchewan
Federal transport rules apply; Saskatchewan's Animal Protection Act and Animal Health Act add welfare and disease-control authority.
Northwest Territories
Federal humane-transport rules continue to apply; territorial and local animal-control rules may also apply.
Nunavut
Federal humane-transport rules continue to apply; territorial and local animal-control rules may also apply.
Yukon
Federal transport rules apply; Yukon's Animal Protection and Control Act and regulations add territorial care and control requirements.
Provincial and territorial source
CFIA — Provincial and territorial legislation concerning animal welfare
What Canadian pet owners and transporters should watch for.
Inspect pets after affected-area travel
CFIA advises owners travelling with pets in screwworm areas to inspect animals for wounds or signs of infestation and keep monitoring after returning to Canada.
Know the warning signs
Possible signs include a wound that worsens, discharge or foul odour, visible larvae, discomfort, irritation, or reduced appetite.
Call a veterinarian immediately
CFIA states that animal owners should contact a veterinarian immediately if screwworm is suspected. NWS and OWS are immediately notifiable diseases in Canada.
Cross-border rules are separate
If a trip enters or returns from the United States, check the current CFIA import restrictions and the U.S. state movement rules for the route. For dogs and cats, start with our U.S.–Canada pet border requirements.
Last comprehensive review: August 17, 2026. Requirements can change without notice. This page is general information and does not replace current CFIA, provincial, territorial, municipal, or veterinary guidance.