Pet Export Services
What does it mean to export a pet by air?
Pet air travel means transporting domestic animals—dogs, cats and other small pets—by commercial or private aircraft, in the cabin, as excess baggage or as cargo. This allows pet owners to relocate, go on holiday or move internationally with their pets.
Airlines have specific policies and regulations for pet travel, including travel kennels , health certificates, vaccination records and breed or temperature restrictions. Depending on the size of the pet and the airline’s rules, pets can travel in-cabin with their owners, in a climate-controlled cargo hold or through IAL’s specialized pet relocation services designed to keep them safe and comfortable during the journey.
What can I expect when relocating my pet?
We offer a variety of ways in which to help your pets travelling to countries from Canada. We are located in Calgary and Toronto but are well equipped to assist you and your pets regardless of which province or territory you reside in.
1. Full Service Including:
Guidance on veterinary requirements for the country of your choice
Final veterinary appointment at our local veterinarian office
CFIA endorsement of documents prior to travel
Flight booking, planning, and scheduling
Airline check-in assistance
International comfort stops if required (e.g., Amsterdam, Frankfurt)
Import services at your requested destination, including customs clearance
Delivery at your requested destination
2. Flight Booking Only
If you would like to handle the vet requirements, CFIA and transportation on your own, then we can offer to book the flight for you only. We understand that sometimes the toughest part of planning your pets travel can be planning and booking the flights that work with your timeline, so we are here to help!
3. Guidance only
If you would like to book and plan your pets flight, but do not know the import requirements in terms of veterinary paperwork at your requested destination, we can offer a guidance only service to assist.
Perks of full flight arrangements:
Specialist advice on the best preparations for your pet’s travel
Making a flight reservation for your pet with the airline
Most direct travel route available
Safe and timely delivery of your pet to the plane
Properly sized and IATA-approved travel containers
Temperature-controlled pet travel van
Pet pickup can be arranged
Perks of documentation services:
Customs clearance into Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Vancouver International Airports
Coordination with our growing network of agents worldwide to provide pre-approved documentation for import or export
Ensuring your pet has met all health and customs requirements before travel
Preparation of proper airline documentation
Where do you relocate pets to?
We can offer International Services for pets relocating all around the world including destinations like:
EU Countries
United Kingdom
South Africa
China
India
Brazil
Costa Rica
Australia
USA
Hong Kong
Korea
Mexico
Saudi Arabia
Taiwan
Thailand
United Arab Emirates
New Zealand
And many more! If you have a destination that you are travelling to that is not on our list, please still submit a quotation, as we may be able to still offer you service.
Pet Export FAQs
You typically need:
- A valid health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian
- Proof of up-to-date vaccinations, especially rabies
- Microchip registration (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)
- Export/import permits (depending on the destination country)
- Some countries also require a veterinary endorsement by a government authority (like CFIA in Canada)
Yes. Each country has its own import regulations, including:
- Breed restrictions
- Quarantine periods
- Approved lab testing (e.g., rabies antibody titers)
- Country-specific forms and timelines
Don’t worry – we always check for you and are well-acquainted with many countries’ regulations.
Start at least 3–6 months in advance, especially if:
- Your destination has a mandatory quarantine period
- You need blood tests or vaccinations done within a specific window
- Booking space for pet travel on airlines (cargo or cabin) can be limited
It depends on:
- The airline’s pet policy
- Your pet’s size and breed
- International travel rules
Yes, All airlines are required to be members of IATA (International Air Transport Association). This association regulates the handling of pets which includes IATA compliant travel kennels, labelling,hydration and ventilation.
