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Importing Domestic Cats
Three (3) months of age or older from countries not recognized by Canada as being rabies-free


Import requirements

Cats may enter Canada if they are accompanied by:

  • a rabies vaccination certificate.

The rabies vaccination certificate must:

  • be written in English or French;
  • be issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian;
  • identify the animal (as in breed, colour, and weight);
  • state that the animal is vaccinated against rabies;
  • indicate the date of vaccination;
  • indicate the trade name and the serial number of the licensed vaccine; and
  • specify the duration of immunity (otherwise, it will be considered valid for one year from the date of vaccination).

Additional Information

Canada does not require a waiting period between the time the animal is vaccinated for rabies and the time the animal is imported into Canada.

If the cat does not meet the import requirements relating to rabies certification, owners will be required, at their own expense, to do the following:

  • have the animal vaccinated against rabies within a specified period of time; and
  • provide the vaccination record to a Canadian Food Inspection Agency office.

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