When you are traveling with your cat, you will be required to have the correct documents to allow entry of your cat into the destination country. The document requirements are set by each country and may change from time to time. It is your responsibility to determine the current requirements and provide us with the necessary forms. You must make an appointment with us for a physical examination and completion of the documents. There is a charge for the physical examination and a charge for completion of the documents.
Plan well in advance. It may take us some time to review and fill out your documents as they are all different. Your cat may need tests or treatments in addition to a physical examination before travel and we may not be able to offer you an appointment at short notice. Often, tests and treatments must be done within a certain time frame before travel. For example, some countries require:
- A blood test for a rabies titre – it can take weeks to get the results of this test because only two laboratories perform testing for Canada and the United States.
- Treatments for parasites.
- Booster vaccinations.
What to do to prepare for your appointment with us:
- Research the requirements for entry of your cat into the destination country. We cannot do this for you.
- Get all necessary documents. The only documents we can supply are our usual vaccination and health certificates. They may or may not be accepted by the destination country. It is your responsibility to determine the correct documents.
- Determine if blood tests, vaccinations, or treatments are needed and how long before travel.
- Determine if any documents require the authorization of a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) veterinarian. If so, you will need to make an appointment with a CFIA Animal Health office after your appointment with us.
- If a CFIA Canadian International Health Certificate is required, you can download it here.
- Complete the remainder of this form to provide us with the correct information we need to fill out your documents. You must attach examples of all documents to this form so we are prepared to provide what you need during your appointment.
- We will contact you to set up an appointment once we receive your submission.
- For your appointment with us, you must bring printed copies of the documents with you - we cannot print them for you.
- Ensure all sections that you must fill out are complete as we will not sign incomplete documents.
- Note some documents must be printed on legal size paper and all instructions must be followed; sometimes even a certain colour of ink is required. Take care!
What happens during your appointment:
- Your cat will require a full physical examination as most countries require a veterinarian to certify the cat appears healthy and is free of contagious diseases.
- Any required parasite treatments or vaccinations will be administered and required blood tests will be submitted.
- The veterinarian will review your documents.
- Your documents will be completed by the veterinarian after the appointment. In some cases, filling out the documents takes considerable time. You will be notified within two business days that the documents are ready to be picked up.
Please note:
- If you provide incorrect information, bring the wrong documents, do not have all the required documents, or make a mistake in filling out the documents, a second appointment (and fee) will be required for a veterinarian to fill out new documents, so please take care.
- Some health problems may prevent a veterinarian from signing a health certificate. If your cat has any health problems, please consult a veterinarian well in advance of travel.
- We will not falsify the dates of examinations, vaccinations, tests, or treatments (yes, we have been asked).
We recommend you consult these sources to ensure you have the correct information and documents:
- Contact the country’s embassy in Ottawa.
- Consult the CFIA website to learn what type of health certificate may be required for your destination country.
- Contact the airline as they may require a health certificate before allowing your cat on the plane and they will provide other information about traveling by air with your cat, such as the type of carrier required.
- If you are traveling to the United States: