Shipping Live Animals

This is an edited excerpt from the Air Canada Cargo Website – to view it in its entirety you can go to aircanada.com/cargo. [BACK]

A traveling menagerie

There's no question about it - your live animals are a precious commodity. That's why, at Air Canada Cargo, our first priority is an animal's safety and comfort, whether travel takes them across North America or across the globe.

Many of our aircraft on our regularly scheduled routes are capable of accommodating large shipments of live animals. And our expert personnel put years of expertise in the transportation of live animals at your disposal.

Air Canada complies with IATA’s Live Animal Regulations, as well as government regulations in the country of origin, transit, and destination.

Pets are precious too!
We pay extra-special attention to your pet's safety, comfort and security. That's why properly constructed containers and careful preparation for transport are so important. When shipping pets, a favourite toy or article inside the container helps to calm the animal. Marking the pet's name on the outside of the container is also important. We can better reassure the animal when we talk to it using its name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q- Can my pet be sent unaccompanied?
A- Yes, you do not have to be traveling to send your pet to a destination.

Q- Should I provide food and water for my pet on the travel day?
A- We require for the customer to provide a water dish with a funnel device attached to allow for filling without opening the container. Food should not be included inside the container but accompanied with the shipment in the rare case of prolonged delay.

Q- Should my pet be sedated?
A- It is recommended that you do not sedate your pet. It can be dangerous to their health. Drugs act differently under different atmospheric pressures. Please consult your local vet for further information regarding this matter.

Q- Is it temperature controlled in the cargo compartment?
A- Most of our aircraft are temperature controlled in the cargo compartment, our cargo staff will advise you if the plane is not, we will do our best to get your animal on a plane that is heated. If no option is available we will advise of a different routing, time or alternate day where we can try to accommodate your needs.

Q- How much will it cost to send my pet?
A- Cost depends on the destination, size of the shipping kennel, and destination charges if applicable. Please contact our cargo customer service number in your area for a detailed quote.

Q- What kind of kennel is acceptable to send my cat or dog?
A- The kennel that you use must be an “Airline approved” kennel, meaning it may not be an all wire kennel or a collapsible type. The kennel usually is the ridged plastic type with ventilation on all four sides with a cast or welded metal door. The door hinge and locking pins must engage the kennel at the top and bottom. Your animal must be able to turn about normally while standing, to stand and sit erect, and to lie in a natural position. These standards come from the IATA Live Animal Regulations.

Q- What documents are required to transport my pet?
A- It depends on the destination, if it is within Canada, no documents are required but it is recommended that you obtain a health certificate to prove that the animal is healthy for travel. For travel into the United States, dogs must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to entry into the United States, except for puppies younger than 3 months of age. There is no rabies vaccination requirement for cats. Following entry into the United States, all cats are subject to state and local vaccination requirements. Certain countries require an import/transit permit, please contact the receiving/transiting countries consulate and see the links provided in this website for further guidance.

Q- How much notice is required if I would like to send my pet as cargo?
A- If it is within Canada and a common routing, the booking can be done in as little time as a day or two before, space permitting. For international or complex routings, we ask for anywhere from 14 days (maximum booking window for all cargo) to 7 days to confirm the booking.

Q- How should I prepare my pet for travel before I arrive at Air Canada Cargo?
A- Feed the animal only a light meal and a short drink two hours before its scheduled departure for Air Canada Cargo's offices. Exercise the animal immediately before it leaves your premises. Shipment of females in heat (estrus) are unable to travel. Females with suckling young and unweaned animals will not be accepted for air transport. Weaned puppies younger than eight weeks are not allowed to be shipped due to possible dehydration during the flight.

Q- What happens if there is a delay or my pet misses its connection flight?
A- In the rare case that there is a irregular operation where a flight is cancelled or the weather does not permit the flights to move as scheduled, Air Canada Cargo will contact the 24 hour number provided by the shipper to let the customer know what action is to take place.

Q- What are my responsibilities as the shipper for shipping pets?
A- As per the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animal Regulations (LAR) the shipper is responsible as follows-

• Finalize the route and any special care required by the shipment upon reservation and prior to acceptance;
• Advise the carrier of the gender of the mammals being shipped;
• Obtain all documents and correct information for the Shipper’s Certification;
• Comply with national, carrier and IATA regulations as applicable;
• Provide containers that conform to the IATA Live Animals Regulations as applicable;
• Provide suitable bedding and food for the species that does not contravene any regulations
• The scientific and common name of the animal(s) and quantity of each animal contained in the container, as shown on the shipper’s certification;
• Affix special feeding and watering instructions to the container and attach a copy to the documents that accompany the shipment;
• Record on the container instructions, the date and time that food and water was last given to the animal, prior to acceptance;
• Records any medication given, i.e. drug, dosage, time given and route. This information must accompany the documents and a copy be affixed to the container;
• Provide a 24 hour phone number that the air carrier can obtain instruction from the shipper of agent in the event of an emergency;
• Advise the receiving party of the flight details in order to arrange immediate collection on arrival; (IATA LAR)

Q- What are Air Canada Cargo’s responsibilities for shipping of live animals?
A- As per the IATA Live Animal Regulations, we are responsible to verify the presence of required documentation as applicable:

• Air Waybill;
• Shippers Certificate;
• Presence of an Import/export permit
• Presence of a health certificate
• Presence of CITES permit if applicable (IATA LAR)

Q- How can I help my pet feel more secure during travel?
A-If possible, purchase your shipping kennel a couple of weeks ahead of your pet's trip so you can crate train by giving treats and positive reinforcement while in the kennel while gradually increasing the amount of time being spent in the kennel. NEVER USE THE KENNEL FOR PUNISHMENT. Also place a familiar toy with your scent on it in the kennel, and a name tag on the top of your kennel so we can reassure your pet by name.

Q- What types of animals can you handle?
A- We ship a wide variety of animals by air, from the most common dogs and cats to larger animals and exotics like horses, tigers, elephants, moose, storks, and much much more depending on the routing and aircraft capabilities. Please contact our cargo customer service agents for assistance in shipping for your different needs.

Q- Will my pets be safe in the cargo area?
A- Yes, all of are airplanes are pressurized including the cargo hold area. Your animal in the aircraft hold will be secured so not to move about, and placed so there is maximum ventilation all around the kennel.

Q- What if the destination I need my pet to go is not listed as an Air Canada destination?
A- We can try to get your pet to that location via a transfer point providing the carrier we are connecting with will accept animals, if we have a rate agreement with them, and if connection time allows for such a transfer. The maximum journey time allowed without a rest stop is 36 hours for dogs and cats, but we try to stay well under that.

Q- Will there be any other animals on the same flight?
A- There could be other animals on the same flight in yours, however there is a restriction on how many pets we can carry depending on how long the flight is and the type of aircraft we use. We try to make the flight as comfortable as possible for your pet by never placing natural enemies in close proximity to one another.

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