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Pet Relocation from Dubai to Canada
No quarantine, no blood test and no import permit for a personal pet. We get the details, timing and flight right.
A move to Canada is a big step, and your dog or cat is coming too. The good news: for a personal pet, Canada's rules are among the simplest of any major destination. There's no quarantine, no blood test and no import permit. What matters is getting the details right, the timing right, and the flight right. canisfelis handles all of it from Dubai, so you can focus on the rest of the move.
Requirements at a glance
| Dogs | Cats | |
|---|---|---|
| Rabies vaccination | Required from 3 months of age. A valid certificate in English or French from a licensed vet that clearly identifies the dog and shows it is currently vaccinated | Required from 3 months of age. A vet's certificate in English or French showing current rabies vaccination |
| Import permit | Not needed for a personal pet | Not needed |
| Quarantine in Canada | None for pet dogs from any country | None |
| Rabies titre (blood) test | Not required (accepted as an alternative to the vaccination certificate) | Not required (accepted as an alternative) |
| Under 8 months, flying without the owner | Extra vet certificate: exam within 72 hours of arrival, vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza | — |
| Commercial dogs (rescue/adoption, fostering, sale, breeding) | Not allowed in from the UAE. The UAE is on CFIA's list of countries at high risk for dog rabies | Not affected |
| UAE exit | MOCCAE veterinary health certificate for export. AED 100 for up to 2 pets travelling for personal purposes, issued in 1 working day, valid 30 days | Same |
| On arrival | CBSA/CFIA inspection fee: CAD 36.95 for the first animal, CAD 6.16 for each additional one (plus GST/HST) | Same |
The one rule UAE owners must know: since 28 September 2022 Canada has refused entry to commercial dogs from high-risk countries, and the UAE is on that list. A dog counts as a personal pet only if it lives (or will live) with you, you are the importer, and you can prove you own it. If a dog is being rehomed to a friend or adopted out through a rescue in Canada, it counts as commercial, so talk to us before you book anything.
Your timeline: weeks before the flight
- 8+ weeks out
Free WhatsApp consultation. We check your pet's microchip, vaccination booklet and age, confirm it's a personal (not commercial) import, and choose the airline and route.
- 6–8 weeks
Rabies vaccine if due. Canada sets no waiting period after vaccination, but the vaccine must still be valid on arrival day. A certificate that doesn't state how long the vaccine lasts is usually treated as valid for one year. Crate measuring and IATA crate training start now.
- 4–6 weeks
Flight booked (accompanied baggage or manifest cargo). Emirates needs at least one week's notice. Air Canada asks you to register a pet soon after booking.
- 1–2 weeks
Final vet check and fit-to-fly paperwork. We prepare the rabies certificate in English with the microchip number, vaccine name and serial number, and validity.
- Final days
MOCCAE export health certificate. The pet is examined at the airport's veterinary quarantine centre (for example, Dubai Airport Cargo Village). The certificate is issued electronically and stays valid for 30 days.
- Flight day
Check-in at the passenger counter or the cargo terminal, depending on how your pet is flying. In Canada, the pet is declared to CBSA, documents are checked, and the inspection fee is paid.
How pets fly from Dubai to Canada
- Emirates (checked baggage): No cats or dogs in the cabin. From Dubai, a pet can fly in a special area of the hold on your own flight if the whole journey is under 17 hours. Emirates' published charges are USD 500, 650 or 800, depending on the combined weight and size of pet and crate.
- Emirates SkyCargo (manifest cargo): For larger crates, longer journeys or pets flying alone. Toronto was one of SkyCargo's top pet cities in 2025. Pets are housed in a temperature-controlled Pet Lounge in Dubai, loaded last and offloaded first.
- Air Canada: Air Canada does not accept pets in its baggage compartment to or from Dubai (DXB) at any time of year. Small cats and dogs may fly in the cabin in a soft carrier (CA$100–120 one way, international), and larger pets go through Air Canada Cargo (AC Animals).
Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds face extra airline restrictions. Tell us the breed early.
What does it cost?
The government fees are published: AED 100 for the MOCCAE export certificate (up to 2 pets) and CAD 36.95 for Canada's inspection of the first animal. Airline charges depend on the pet, the crate and the route. Your total depends on all of these, so we quote on request, free and itemised.
Frequently asked questions
Is the UAE a high-risk rabies country for Canada?
Yes. CFIA lists the United Arab Emirates as high-risk for dog rabies. Personal pet dogs can still enter with a valid rabies certificate. Commercial dogs cannot.
Does my pet need quarantine in Canada?
No. CFIA states that pet dogs from any country are not subject to quarantine after import. Cats aren't either, if they meet the rabies requirement.
Does Canada require a rabies titre test?
No. A current rabies vaccination certificate is enough. A titre result of at least 0.5 IU/ml is only an alternative.
Can my dog fly to Canada without me?
Yes. Personal dogs can travel accompanied or unaccompanied. Dogs under 8 months flying alone need an extra vet certificate issued within 72 hours of arrival.
Can I bring a rescue dog I'm adopting from a UAE shelter?
If the dog is already yours and will live with you, it is a personal pet. If it is going to someone else or through a rescue group, Canada treats it as commercial and refuses entry from the UAE.
What if the paperwork is wrong on arrival?
Inspectors can order a rabies vaccination at your expense, with a higher fee. In other cases, the pet can be ordered out of Canada. That's why we check every document before your pet flies.
Can my cat fly in the cabin?
Not on Emirates. Air Canada allows a small cat or dog in a soft carrier under the seat. We confirm availability on your specific flight.
How early should I start?
Ideally 8 weeks before your flight. If your pet's vaccinations are current, it can often be done faster.
Ready to plan your pet's move to Canada?
Message canisfelis on WhatsApp at +971 50 1900 804 with your pet's breed, weight and travel date, and we'll send a free quote.
Other routes to and from Dubai
Sources (checked 17 Oct 2026)
Official, Canada
- CFIA, Countries at high-risk for dog rabies (UAE listed; modified 2025-03-13): https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/rabies/countries-high-risk-dog
- CFIA, Import Reference Document (dog/cat rules, no quarantine, titre alternative, under-8-month rules): https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/imports/import-policies/general/reference-document
- CFIA, Bringing animals to Canada (personal vs commercial, accompanied/unaccompanied): https://inspection.canada.ca/en/importing-food-plants-animals/pets
- CFIA, Travelling with your dog (refusal/removal if non-compliant; modified 2026-01-09): https://inspection.canada.ca/en/travelling-pets-food-plants/travelling-pets/dog-travel
- CFIA, Notice to industry, commercial dog ban from 28 Sep 2022: https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/rabies/notice-industry-2022-06-28
- CBSA, Travelling with animals (personal dog definition, commercial dogs denied): https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/fpa-apa/animals-animaux-eng.html
- CBSA, Inspections and fees (CAD 36.95 / 6.16; vaccination order CAD 67.75 / 36.95; modified 2026-03-31): https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/fpa-apa/fees-droits-eng.html
- Government of Canada QP note (list update 1 Aug 2024): https://search.open.canada.ca/qpnotes/record/aafc-aac%2CAAFC-2025-QP-00054
Official, UAE
- MOCCAE, Veterinary health certificate for export/re-export (AED 100 ≤2 personal pets, 1 working day, 30-day validity, no destination permit needed for companion animals): https://moccae.gov.ae/en/services/animal-health-certificate-for-export-re-export-of-live-animals
Airlines
- Emirates, Rules and charges for travelling with animals: https://www.emirates.com/english/help/faqs/what-are-the-rules-and-charges-for-travelling-with-animals/
- Emirates, Travelling with pets (one week notice, >4 months old): https://www.emirates.com/english/help/forms/pets-travel
- Emirates SkyCargo press release, 18 Dec 2025 (Toronto top pet city, Pet Lounge): https://www.skycargo.com/media-centre/emirates-skycargo-fur-st-choice-for-four-legged-flyers
- Air Canada, Travelling with your pet (DXB hold restriction all year, cabin fees): https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/plan/special-assistance/pets.html
Owner worries (Reddit, not used as fact)
- r/UAE, pet relocation experiences incl. a UAE→Canada dog move: https://www.reddit.com/r/UAE/comments/1euaydg/bad_experience_with_pet_relocation_service_in_uae/
- r/dubai, Pet Relocation from the UAE (timelines, MOCCAE, cargo vs baggage): https://www.reddit.com/r/dubai/comments/1rhpw02/pet_relocation_from_the_uae
- r/dubai, Steps to traveling with pet UAE (costs, cabin rules): https://www.reddit.com/r/dubai/comments/1rte543/steps_to_traveling_with_pet_uae