What is the CDC Dog Import Form and do I need one for travel from Canada?

Since August 1, 2024, every dog entering or returning to the United States, including from Canada, must arrive with a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. The form is free, completed online, and the receipt is valid for six months and multiple entries provided the country of departure does not change.

Does my dog need a rabies vaccination certificate to enter the United States from Canada?

CDC does not require a rabies certificate for dogs whose only countries of residence in the past six months are Canada, the United States, or Mexico. Airlines, however, frequently require one regardless. And a valid rabies certificate is required by CFIA when the dog returns to Canada.

What age must my dog be to enter the United States?

At least six months old at time of entry, per CDC requirements in effect since August 1, 2024. The rule applies regardless of country of departure.

Can I drive across the border with my dog without filling out the CDC form?

No. The CDC requirements apply at land border crossings just as they do at airports. The Dog Import Form receipt must be presentable to a CBP officer, on paper or on a phone screen.

Bringing your dog or cat between Florida and Canada (2026 CDC rules)

Q: Does my cat need any document to enter the United States from Canada?

CDC does not regulate cats and USDA APHIS does not require a health certificate for cats entering the U.S. from Canada. Airlines may require one. CBP may request that the cat appear healthy.

Q: What does CFIA require when I return to Canada with my pet from Florida?

For dogs and cats over three months old, a valid rabies vaccination certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in English or French, identifying the animal. Animals under three months old are exempt. Pets must be declared at the CBSA booth.

Section 01What changed in August 2024

In shortCDC overhauled the U.S. dog-import regime on August 1, 2024. Every dog now needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, a universal-scanner microchip, and a minimum age of six months. For dogs that have been only in Canada, the U.S., or Mexico for the past six months, the form is the only document CDC requires; rabies vaccination is no longer a CDC entry requirement for that pathway.

The reform was published by CDC on July 22, 2024 and took effect on August 1, 2024. It replaced a patchwork of older requirements with a single online form: the CDC Dog Import Form. The form is filled out by the importer (in practice, the owner travelling with the pet), takes a few minutes, costs nothing, and generates a receipt that can be printed or shown on a phone screen at the U.S. port of entry.

The change matters for Canadian snowbirds because, before August 2024, the practical experience was driven mostly by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA APHIS): proof of rabies vaccination, an occasional health certificate, and a glance at the animal in the vehicle. Since August 2024, the gatekeeper is CDC, and the gating document is the form receipt. The CBP officer at the booth checks for that receipt.

For the Canadian return side, nothing changed. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) still requires a valid rabies vaccination certificate from a licensed veterinarian for dogs and cats over three months old, in English or French, identifying the animal. The CBSA officer enforces the rule at the booth.

Verified fact "Starting on August 1, 2024, the only required documentation for dogs entering or returning to the United States that have been only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries in the past 6 months is the CDC Dog Import Form."Source: CDC — Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries (page dated July 22, 2024).

Section 02Who is concerned, who is not

In shortThe 2026 procedure covers personal pets accompanying their owner: snowbirds, permanent movers, day-trippers, and anyone driving or flying across the border with their dog or cat. Commercial imports (rescue, sale, breeding) are governed by a separate set of rules with stricter documentation and, on the Canadian side, restrictions tied to dog-rabies high-risk countries.

The typical case this guide addresses: a Canadian resident travels to Florida for the season with a personal pet (dog or cat), or moves permanently with the pet, or makes a short trip and returns home. In all these cases, the pet remains the property of the same household at both ends of the trip. The animal is healthy, has been with the household for at least the past six months, and has not visited a country on the CDC high-risk-rabies list.

The procedure does not cover several edge cases. Commercial dogs (dogs intended for sale, transfer of ownership, adoption, foster, breeding, exhibition, or research) follow a separate path with stricter CFIA and U.S. authority documentation. On the Canadian side, CFIA does not issue import permits for commercial dogs from countries at high-risk for dog rabies, and CBSA denies them entry. Service dogs have specific exemptions from rabies-vaccination requirements when accompanying their certified handler. Dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the past six months face additional CDC requirements: rabies vaccination, serology titer, and arrival at a CDC-registered Animal Care Facility. CFIA notes that, at this time, dogs travelling from Canada that have visited a high-risk country in the past six months are not eligible to enter the U.S. directly from Canada.

The practical filter for snowbirds: if your dog or cat has lived with you in Canada, the U.S., or Mexico for the past six months, you are on the standard pathway described in this guide.

Editorial note If you have any doubt about whether your pet has been "only" in Canada, the U.S., or Mexico (for example, a recent trip outside North America), call CDC at 1-800-232-4636 before you travel. The high-risk-country pathway involves animal-care facility reservations and titer testing that cannot be arranged at the border.

Section 03Entering the U.S. with a dog (CDC)

In shortFour CDC requirements, in plain order: a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, a universal-scanner microchip, a minimum age of six months, and a healthy appearance on arrival. Rabies vaccination is no longer a CDC entry requirement for dogs whose past-six-months countries are limited to Canada, the U.S., or Mexico.

The CDC rule set applies to every dog entering or returning to the United States, regardless of port of entry (land border crossings, seaports, airports including pre-clearance). It is a federal floor: states cannot loosen it, and airlines cannot loosen it. Airlines often add their own requirements on top (see Section 10).

The four CDC requirements

CDC Dog Import Form receipt. A short online form completed by the importer; the receipt is the document the CBP officer asks for. It is valid for six months and multiple entries as long as the country of departure does not change.
Universal-scanner microchip. The chip can be any brand, but it must be readable by a universal scanner. Microchip numbers that start with a digit other than 9 should be verified for universal-scanner readability by the dog's veterinarian. The chip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination if the dog has been in a high-risk country (irrelevant for the Canada pathway, but useful to know).
Minimum age of six months. No exception for the Canada pathway. A puppy under six months cannot be brought to the U.S. by personal pet import on this pathway.
Healthy appearance. The dog must appear healthy on arrival. CBP officers may refer a visibly unwell animal to secondary inspection.

What CDC does not require, for the Canada pathway

For a dog whose only countries of residence in the past six months are Canada, the U.S., or Mexico, CDC does not require: a rabies vaccination certificate, a USDA health certificate, an Animal Care Facility reservation, a rabies serology titer, or any vet-signed CDC form. The Dog Import Form receipt alone, plus the microchip, age, and health criteria, satisfies the U.S. federal requirement.

What you may still want anyway

A current rabies vaccination certificate is mandatory for the Canadian return (see Section 6), so a snowbird who is going down to Florida and back will need one in any case. Many airlines also require it for travel from the U.S. (see Section 10). The practical conclusion: carry a current rabies certificate even if CDC does not require it for the U.S.-entry side. It costs nothing and resolves any ambiguity at the airport counter or the Canadian return booth. The travel mode matters too: households that send the car ahead with a cross-border auto carrier and fly with the dog deal with the airline rabies paperwork instead of the booth glance.

Verified fact The four CDC requirements above (form, microchip, age, health) apply identically at airports, seaports, and land border crossings for dogs from the Canada/U.S./Mexico pathway. "All dogs entering the United States at a land border must meet CDC entry requirements even if the dog will be in the vehicle most of the time and will not be spending the night or staying in the United States."Source: CDC — Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations (page dated March 17, 2026).

Section 04The CDC Dog Import Form, step by step

In shortThe form is online, free, and takes a few minutes. It asks for the dog's identification, microchip number, recent travel history, departure country, and your contact information. The receipt is emailed and is presentable on a phone screen. Valid six months, multi-entry, one form per dog.

Before you start

Have at hand: the dog's name, breed, color, age, and sex; the microchip number; the country the dog is travelling from (Canada, in this case); and your contact information including a phone number that works during travel. The form does not require the dog's rabies certificate or health certificate to be uploaded.

Filling out the form

The form is hosted at survey.1cdp.cdc.gov and accessible via the CDC's import page. CDC recommends completing it a few days before travel, and explicitly allows completing it on the day of travel. The form can be filled by a person acting on behalf of the importer (a travel companion, family member, or airline employee) if the importer has a disability or cannot complete it themselves. There is no limit on the number of dogs you can bring, but each dog requires its own form and its own receipt.

The receipt

Once submitted, the form produces a receipt emailed to the address you provided. The receipt is valid for six months from the issue date, provided the dog does not visit a country other than Canada, the U.S., or Mexico in the interim. The same receipt can be used for multiple entries during that window. If your dog will be travelling for example to France in the interim, you will need a new receipt listing France as the country of departure before re-entering the U.S.

Showing the receipt at the border

The CBP officer at the booth or the airline counter (for pre-clearance ports) will ask to see the receipt. It can be on a printed sheet or on a phone screen. Both formats are explicitly accepted by CDC.

Verified fact "The receipt is valid for 6 months from when it's issued unless the dog visits a high-risk country or a different dog rabies-free or low-risk country during that time. For example, if the dog travels frequently between the U.S. and Canada, the same form can be used for travel from Canada until the expiration date listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt."Source: CDC — Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries.

Section 05Entering the U.S. with a cat or other species

In shortCDC does not regulate cats. USDA APHIS does not require a health certificate or rabies certificate for cats entering the U.S. from Canada. CBP simply expects the cat to appear healthy. Airlines often impose their own requirements (see Section 10). For ferrets, birds, reptiles, and other species, the rules differ and merit a separate check.

Cats fall outside the CDC dog-import framework entirely. CBP does not request the federal documents that apply to dogs, and there is no CDC Cat Import Form. The cat must appear healthy on arrival. That is the entire federal requirement.

This is a notable asymmetry that surprises many snowbird couples travelling with both species. The dog needs the full CDC pathway (form, microchip, age, health). The cat needs nothing from CDC, and only its rabies certificate for the Canadian return.

Ferrets. Pet ferrets do not require a health certificate to enter the U.S. from Canada. USDA APHIS recommends a rabies vaccination certificate for ferrets over three months old (relevant mainly for the Canadian return path).

Pet birds. Birds enter a separate regulatory space because of avian influenza surveillance. CFIA tracks Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) detection zones and requires documented routes that avoid restriction zones for birds entering Canada. USDA also imposes certificate requirements. Any bird-travel project should be planned with both a USDA-accredited veterinarian and CFIA well in advance.

Reptiles, amphibians, small mammals. Rules vary by species. CFIA's pet-import interactive tool (linked in Sources) walks you through the specific requirements. Most domestic rodents (hamsters, guinea pigs) do not have rabies-vaccination requirements, but certain species are subject to import permits or restrictions.

Editorial note If your "pet" is anything other than a dog or a cat, treat this guide as background only and confirm the species-specific rules with CFIA's interactive tool and with USDA APHIS before you make travel arrangements. The variance across species is much larger than between dogs and cats.

Section 06Returning to Canada with a dog (CFIA)

In shortFor a personal pet dog accompanying its owner from the U.S., CFIA requires a valid rabies vaccination certificate from a licensed veterinarian for any dog over three months old, in English or French, identifying the animal. Dogs under three months are exempt. The certificate must be presented at the CBSA booth on request.

The Canadian return path is procedurally simpler than the U.S.-entry path: no online form, no CFIA microchip requirement at the federal pet-import level, no age minimum at six months. CFIA's main concern is rabies, and the proof is the vaccination certificate.

What the rabies certificate must contain

Identification of the animal: breed, color, age, sex; ideally also a microchip or tattoo number for unambiguous matching.
Date of vaccination and date of expiry (validity is typically one or three years depending on the vaccine product).
Name and signature of the licensed veterinarian who administered the vaccine, with practice address.
Language: English or French. A certificate issued in another language must be translated by a recognized translator.

CFIA accepts the certificate from a U.S. licensed veterinarian (typical for a snowbird who got vaccination work done in Florida) or from a Canadian licensed veterinarian (typical if the vaccination was administered before the trip south). USDA endorsement is not required for the rabies certificate on the Canadian-return side.

Dogs under three months and unaccompanied puppies

Dogs less than three months old are exempt from rabies vaccination but proof of age must be available at the border. Unaccompanied dogs (puppies travelling without their owner) less than eight months old require a health certificate from a licensed U.S. veterinarian within 72 hours of arrival in Canada, per the form USDA APHIS publishes on its Canada page.

Service dogs

An assistance dog certified by an organization accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation or Assistance Dogs International, when accompanying its designated handler, is exempted from the rabies-vaccination requirement on the Canadian-return path. CBSA flags this exemption explicitly.

Verified fact For personal pet dogs over three months old returning from the U.S. with their owner, USDA APHIS states: "Pet dogs OLDER than 8 months do NOT require any health certificate. Proof of rabies vaccination is all that is required." The rabies vaccination certificate must be issued by a licensed vet, proving vaccination within three years of importation into Canada. Dogs under eight months travelling with their owner are only required to travel with proof of current rabies vaccination.Source: USDA APHIS — Pet Travel From the United States to Canada (last modified July 30, 2025).

Section 07Returning to Canada with a cat

In shortSame logic as dogs: a valid rabies vaccination certificate from a licensed veterinarian, in English or French, identifying the animal, for any cat over three months old. Kittens under three months are exempt.

The Canadian-return rules for cats mirror those for dogs almost exactly. The animal-health risk CFIA polices is rabies, and rabies vaccination is the gating proof. Kittens under three months are exempt from the rabies-vaccination requirement; cats three months and over require a vaccination certificate from a licensed veterinarian (U.S. or Canadian), in English or French.

Health certificates are not required by CFIA for cats returning from the U.S. The certificate need not be endorsed by USDA. The CBSA officer at the booth may inspect the cat and ask to see the rabies certificate.

An exception worth noting: if the cat is part of a multi-pet household where one of the dogs has been in a high-risk country, the situation becomes more complex on the U.S.-entry side, not the Canadian-return side. For a standard snowbird family with cats and dogs that travel only between Canada and Florida, the Canadian return is operationally simple: present the rabies certificate, declare the cat at the booth, drive on.

Verified fact USDA APHIS, on its Canada export page: "Pet cats do NOT require any health certificate. Rabies vaccination certificate, issued by licensed veterinarian, proving vaccination within 3 years of importation into Canada. Kittens under 3 months of age exempt from rabies vaccination. Date of vaccination and the type of vaccine must be on the vaccination certificate."Source: USDA APHIS — Pet Travel From the United States to Canada.

Section 08Declaring at the border (CBP and CBSA)

In shortYou must declare your pet to CBP entering the U.S. and to CBSA returning to Canada, every time. Failure to declare is the single fastest way to get sent to secondary inspection or have the animal detained.

At the U.S. side (CBP)

When you arrive at the CBP booth (land border), the officer asks the standard questions: citizenship, purpose of trip, where you live, what you are bringing. Include the pet in your declaration. Hand over the CDC Dog Import Form receipt, on paper or on phone, when the officer asks for documents. If asked, present the rabies certificate. The officer may want to see the pet in the back seat. Pets generally remain in the vehicle; secondary inspection (a closer look at the animal, possibly out of the vehicle) is uncommon for routine Canadian-resident crossings with valid documentation.

At a U.S. airport, the airline counter at check-in often verifies the CDC receipt and your pet's documentation before you board. At the destination airport, CBP processes the pet alongside your customs entry.

At the Canadian side (CBSA)

The CBSA declaration card (paper, electronic, or kiosk depending on port of entry) asks whether you are bringing "live animals, including pets". Tick yes. At the booth, declare the pet. The CBSA officer may ask to see the rabies certificate, may glance at the animal, and will refer you to a CFIA inspector at the booth or in secondary inspection if there is any doubt.

Pets are personal effects for customs purposes: there is no duty or tariff on your own dog or cat returning to Canada with you. The issue at the booth is not customs revenue, it is animal health.

Verified fact CBSA states explicitly: "The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers will inspect and can refuse entry, confiscate or detain an animal if: it is undeclared, including family pets; you do not have the necessary permits/certificates; it is suspected of being sick or infected with a pest or disease; the animal is transported in a non-humane way and not kept safe from harm and injury."Source: CBSA — Travelling with animals (page dated June 27, 2024).

Section 09Driving vs flying, the practical comparison

In shortFor Canadian snowbirds within driving distance of a U.S. border, driving is the simpler option: the pet remains in the vehicle, you avoid airline carriers and weight limits, and there is no aircraft cabin-temperature exposure. Flying makes sense for distance or time pressure, but adds airline-specific health certificate requirements and carrier rules.

Driving (private vehicle)

Flying (commercial airline)

U.S.-entry documentsCDC Dog Import Form receipt, microchip, age 6 months, healthy appearance. Rabies certificate recommended (airline reasons removed; Canadian return reason remains).

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U.S.-entry documentsSame CDC requirements, plus often a USDA-endorsed health certificate required by the airline within 10 days of travel (industry norm; check airline policy).

Carrier requirementNone. The pet rides in the vehicle on a seat, in a harness, or in a soft crate per the owner's preference.

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Carrier requirementSoft-sided, airline-approved, fits under the seat in front of you. Specific dimensions and combined weight (pet plus carrier) limits set by each airline.

Weight limitsNone at the federal level.

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Weight limitsAirline-specific. Larger pets ride as checked baggage on some carriers (when the airline accepts it), with separate fees and temperature embargoes in summer.

CostFuel and time. No incremental airline fee.

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CostAirline pet fees per segment, plus the cost of a USDA-accredited vet health certificate if required.

Border experiencePet in vehicle, calm, regular crossings (Buffalo to Niagara, Detroit to Windsor, Lacolle to Champlain, etc.). Secondary inspection rare for routine Canadian-registered pets.

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Border experienceAirline counter, security screening of the carrier, CBP at U.S. arrival (or pre-clearance), cabin pressure during flight.

Best forMost snowbirds living within driving distance of a U.S. border crossing. Multi-pet households. Older pets or those uncomfortable in carriers.

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Best forLong distances, time pressure, snowbirds who do not own a vehicle suitable for the drive, or who fly down and back rather than drive both ways.

Section 10Airline-specific policies

In shortAirline pet policies vary in carrier dimensions, combined weight limits (pet plus carrier), per-segment fees, and species accepted. Many require a USDA-accredited vet health certificate within 10 days of travel for U.S.-departure flights, and a current rabies certificate in any case. Verify the policy on the airline's official page in the week before booking; policies change.

Three notes before getting into specifics. First, this section is a starting checklist for verification, not a current pricing or weight table: airlines update their policies with no warning, and the authoritative source is each airline's own pet page. Second, airline fees, weight thresholds, carrier dimensions, and accepted species are airline-specific and can vary by route and aircraft type within a single carrier. Third, summer embargoes on cargo-hold pet travel are common because of hot-tarmac temperatures; check before booking.

Canadian carriers

Air Canada. Accepts cats and small dogs in cabin on most routes, in an airline-approved soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat. The current weight limit (pet plus carrier combined), accepted carrier dimensions, and per-segment fees are listed on the official Air Canada pet page; verify there before booking. Air Canada also publishes its policy on travelling with assistance dogs and on pets as checked baggage. For travel to and from the U.S., the airline imposes its own documentation requirements (typically including a recent vet health certificate); the CDC Dog Import Form receipt is also required at U.S. entry.

WestJet. Accepts pets in cabin on most domestic and U.S. transborder flights, also in soft-sided airline-approved carriers fitting under the seat. WestJet's general pet page sets out fees, carrier specs, and health-document requirements, including a vet certificate issued within ten days of travel for transborder routes. Verify the current policy on the official WestJet pet page before booking.

Porter Airlines. Porter has historically not accepted pets in cabin other than certified service animals. Verify the current policy before booking; this is the kind of policy that can change.

U.S. carriers serving Florida

The major U.S. carriers (American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, Allegiant) each publish their own pet policies and fees. American, Delta, and United are the dominant carriers on Canada to Florida routes. All require pets to be in airline-approved soft-sided carriers fitting under the seat; weight, dimensions, and fees vary. JetBlue's "JetPaws" program is documented on its site. Southwest accepts small vaccinated cats and dogs in cabin on domestic flights. Check the specific airline's pet page for current fees and any seasonal restrictions (heat embargoes on the cargo side, route limitations).

The pet count limit per flight

Most carriers limit the number of pets allowed in the cabin per flight (and per row). This is why booking pet travel early matters: the slots fill, and a pet on the boarding pass is not optional once committed. If you cannot get a confirmed pet slot on the flight you want, picking a different flight is usually easier than picking a different airline.

Editorial note Booking a flight with a pet is a two-step process at most airlines: book your seat, then call to add the pet (some carriers allow it online, others still require a phone call). Do not assume the pet slot is automatic; the booking site usually does not block it. The pet fee is charged separately, often at check-in.

Section 11Mistakes, checklist, and FAQ

Common mistakes

Showing up at the U.S. border without the CDC Dog Import Form receipt. The most common 2026 mistake. Snowbirds who travelled before August 2024 remember the older rabies-only routine; the new form is mandatory and CBP officers ask for it.
Assuming the form lasts forever. The receipt is valid six months from the date issued, not from each entry. Plan a refresh if you are crossing multiple times across a long season.
Skipping the rabies certificate because CDC no longer requires it on U.S. entry. The certificate is still required by CFIA for the return to Canada, and by most airlines for the U.S.-departure flight. Carry it.
Not verifying the microchip is universal-scanner readable. A chip implanted years ago, particularly one whose number does not start with 9, may not be readable by a universal scanner. Have your vet verify before travel.
Travelling with a puppy under six months old. The CDC age requirement is firm: six months minimum at time of U.S. entry. A four-month-old puppy cannot enter the U.S. on the standard pet pathway.
Failing to declare the pet at CBSA on return. CBSA can detain, refuse, or confiscate an undeclared animal even with otherwise valid documents.
Confusing the CDC form with a USDA health certificate. They are different documents from different agencies for different purposes. The CDC Dog Import Form is for U.S. entry. The USDA APHIS health certificate is for export from the U.S. to certain countries (not required for cats or older dogs going to Canada).
Forgetting the airline policy is layered on top. Airlines impose their own requirements (often a recent vet health certificate, carrier dimensions, pre-booking slot reservation). Compliance with CDC and CFIA does not exempt you from the airline rules.

Preparation checklist (snowbird season)

Confirm the microchip is universal-scanner readable. Vet can verify in a routine visit.
Confirm rabies vaccination is current and the certificate is in your file. Vet can re-issue a clean copy on request.
For dogs only: complete the CDC Dog Import Form online, save and print the receipt, store a digital copy on your phone.
Verify the airline pet policy if flying: carrier dimensions, combined weight limit, fee, slot availability, any health-certificate requirement.
Pack the rabies certificate, the CDC receipt (printed and digital), microchip documentation, and any airline-required vet certificate in your travel folder.
Declare the pet at both border directions (CBP entering the U.S., CBSA returning to Canada). Do not assume the officer will ask.
Plan vet access in Florida (see the related guide on Florida veterinarians and vaccinations, below).

FAQ

I am crossing at a land border with my dog. Do I really need to fill out the CDC form?

Yes. CDC explicitly extends the form requirement to land border crossings: "All dogs entering the United States at a land border must meet CDC entry requirements even if the dog will be in the vehicle most of the time and will not be spending the night or staying in the United States."

My dog is microchipped but the chip number starts with a digit other than 9. Is that a problem?

Per CDC FAQ, microchips whose numbers start with a digit other than 9 should be verified for universal-scanner readability with your veterinarian. The chip can be any brand as long as a universal scanner can read it.

My cat does not have a microchip. Is that a problem for the U.S. entry or the Canadian return?

CDC does not require a microchip for cats entering the U.S. CFIA does not impose a microchip requirement for cats entering Canada on the basic personal-pet path. The required document is the rabies vaccination certificate, with identification of the animal (which can rely on description rather than a chip).

I just adopted a puppy in Florida and want to bring it home. Anything special?

Yes. If the puppy is unaccompanied (shipped without you), a USDA-endorsed health certificate is required within 72 hours of arrival in Canada. If the puppy is accompanying you, the CFIA rule applies: proof of current rabies vaccination if over three months, proof of age if under three months. The U.S.-export side does not require special endorsement for an accompanied puppy under eight months going to Canada.

Do I need an appointment with a USDA-accredited vet to travel with my dog or cat from Florida to Canada?

For accompanied dogs over eight months and for cats: no, USDA endorsement is not required for the Canadian return. A rabies certificate from any licensed veterinarian (Florida or otherwise) is sufficient on the CFIA side. Some airlines may still ask for a recent vet check; this is an airline rule, not a CFIA rule.

What if my dog has been outside North America in the past six months (for example, a trip to Europe)?

You leave the standard pathway. Depending on the country, the dog may face additional CDC requirements (high-risk countries) or even be ineligible to re-enter directly from Canada. Contact CDC at 1-800-232-4636 or [email protected] well before travel.

Related guides on this site

Finding a veterinarian and getting vaccinations in Florida (in-language equivalents follow the language toggle).
Snowbird arrival and departure checklist for Florida (pet logistics integrated into the broader move-in checklist).
CBP personal effects when entering the U.S. (the parallel rules for items you bring with you).

Who rules at each border

Authority	What it controls
CDC / USDA-APHIS	US entry rules for dogs (situation-based per the CDC framework) and animal import policy; read on the CDC/APHIS pages the week of travel
CFIA (ACIA)	Canadian re-entry: rabies vaccination valid from 12 weeks of age per the CFIA hub, documents read the week of return
Florida (FDACS)	In-state animal health framework once you live there

A worked example

A Sherbrooke couple drives down with one dog. Two weeks out they re-read the CDC dog page (it changes seasonally, as our veterinary guide says in so many words), print the CFIA-compliant rabies certificate for the return, and budget the vet paperwork visit: 95 USD in their case, about 132 CAD at the Bank of Canada rate of 1.3930 published June 10, 2026. No rule is recited from memory here: both agency pages are re-read each season.

Bringing your dog or cat between Florida and Canada.

What do I need to bring my dog or cat between Florida and Canada in 2026?

Acronyms used in this guide