How to organize long-distance transportation of animals?

Calgary is one of North America's leading centers for professional animal transportation, offering more than ten specialized companies that provide services ranging from local pet taxis to complex international relocations. Calgary International Airport (YYC) serves as a major hub for animal air transportation, providing connections to all major global destinations through leading airlines and specialized cargo services. The city's animal transportation industry is characterized by high safety standards, full compliance with international regulatory requirements, and a wide range of services from economical options to luxury VIP relocations.

The modern animal transportation landscape in Calgary includes both large international companies with decades of experience and local specialized services, allowing owners to find the optimal solution for any budget and need. Most professional companies are members of IPATA (International Pet and Animal Transportation Association), which guarantees compliance with the highest global standards in the industry.

Leading professional transportation companies

Transcontinental Pet Movers — comprehensive international services

Transcontinental Pet Movers is a leading pet transportation company based in Calgary, offering the widest range of services in the industry. The company is licensed by IATA, IPATA, USDA, and has CBP Bonded status, allowing it to provide a full range of international and domestic transportation services. A unique feature is 24/7 availability, which is critical for travel emergencies.

The company's services include door-to-door transportation for both international and domestic routes, complete travel planning and flight booking consultations, coordination of all medical requirements and documentation, and local taxi services to and from YYC airport. The company also provides CFIA confirmation of medical certificates, pre-fills the correct medical certificates for the country of import, arranges customs clearance in Calgary, and delivers to your home.

Animal Movers — Specializing in Stress-Free Relocations

Animal Movers is based in the heart of Calgary and specializes in providing unparalleled pet relocation services both locally and internationally. The company understands that pets are precious members of the family, and their well-being is a top priority. Their dedication to providing a stress-free and comfortable journey makes them the leading choice for pet owners in the region.

Animal Movers offers a full range of services, including veterinary services (vaccinations, microchip implantation, rabies serology test, deworming), IATA-approved transport cages, complete export and import documentation, customs clearance, local pick-up and delivery, flight reservations, and international air transportation.

International Animal Lounge (IAL-YYC) — Premium Relocation Services

International Animal Lounge has two physical offices — one in Calgary and one in Toronto — as well as access to satellite offices in Ottawa, Montreal, and Vancouver. As a specialized pet transportation company, they offer exceptional services for cats and dogs moving around the world, as well as brokerage services for pets returning to Canada.

Their team of relocation specialists has years of experience in the pet transportation industry and works closely with clients to make their pets' journey as smooth as possible. At International Animal Lounge, they are experts in pet travel and comfort, always treating animals as part of their own family.

Worldwide Animal Travel — two decades of experience

Worldwide Animal Travel is based in Vancouver and Toronto but serves Calgary through its network of partners. The company is a full-service pet relocation company with over two decades of experience. As a result, they are well equipped to provide pets with an exceptional, stress-free travel experience regardless of the destination.

Worldwide Animal Travel specializes in complex international pet relocations, often coordinating moves to destinations such as Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the UAE, and the United States. An important feature is that the company was the first in Canada to receive BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) certification for brachycephalic breeds.

Transportation methods and their features

Air transportation in the aircraft cabin

Air transportation in the cabin is available for small dogs and cats that can travel in soft-sided containers under the seat in front of the owner. Air Canada has updated its policy effective June 2025 to require soft-sided containers for all pets in the cabin. The maximum container size may vary depending on the aircraft type, but the recommended size is approximately 41 x 25.4 x 21.5 cm.

The cost of transport in the cabin is $50-60 for domestic and Canadian-US flights, $100-120 for international flights. WestJet has similar rates and requirements but allows up to two pets of the same species living in the same household to travel together in one container.

Air transport as checked baggage

For larger animals that are not suitable for the cabin, transport as checked baggage in the cargo compartment is available. The maximum weight for WestJet is 45 kg including the container, and the maximum container size is 101 x 68 x 81 cm. All containers must comply with IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations.

The cargo holds of all modern aircraft are pressurized and dark during flight. Most pets sleep during the flight, and their containers are secured at a comfortable temperature and positioned to ensure maximum ventilation.

Professional cargo services

WestJet Cargo Pet'Air offers specialized services for the transportation of pets with priority booking status, priority loading and unloading, and live shipment tracking. Importantly, Pet'Air accepts brachycephalic dog breeds, which are prohibited by many other airlines.

Air Canada Cargo AC Animals provides special handling for live animals during ground transportation and flight. All animals booked through AC Animals travel in the cargo hold with baggage and other cargo but receive special handling.

Documentary requirements and regulatory environment

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) requirements

CFIA is the primary regulator of the import and export of domestic animals in Canada. The agency sets import requirements for all animals, including domestic and non-traditional animals. Canada Border Services Agency officers may refuse entry, confiscate, or detain an animal if it is not declared, does not have the necessary permits/certificates, is suspected of being diseased, or is being transported in an inhumane manner.

Most international travel requires a Canadian International Health Certificate, which must be printed on legal-size paper (8.5“ x 14”). This certificate must be completed by a veterinarian in Canada and endorsed by an official government veterinarian. There is a fee for this service, and the document is valid for 10 days from the date of endorsement.

Vaccination and health requirements

Rabies vaccination is mandatory for dogs over 8 months old and cats over 3 months old when entering Canada from countries that are not considered rabies-free. Canada recognizes the following countries as rabies-free: Australia, Fiji, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Veterinary clinics in Calgary, such as Willow Park Animal Clinic and Westhills Veterinary Clinic, provide specialized services for obtaining international health certificates. It is important to start planning at least two months in advance for domestic travel and four months in advance for international travel. If rabies titers are required, even more time may be needed.

Special regulations and restrictions

As of September 28, 2022, the CFIA has implemented new measures to reduce the risk of rabies being introduced into Canada. Commercial dogs from countries with a high risk of rabies are no longer allowed to enter Canada. Commercial dogs may include, but are not limited to, dogs for resale, adoption, breeding, exhibition, or research.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has changed the requirements for importing dogs entering the US from Canada effective August 1, 2024. This has affected many owners who travel between Canada and the US with their pets.

Container and transport equipment requirements

IATA standards for air transport

All containers for air transport must comply with IATA regulations. The container must be large enough for the animal to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Brachycephalic breeds usually require a container one size larger than normal for most airlines that allow them to fly in cargo.

The container must be made of fiberglass, metal, rigid plastic, welded metal mesh, solid wood, or plywood. The floor must be solid and waterproof. The door should have a secure, spring-loaded, all-round locking system with pins that extend at least 1.6 cm above and below the door frame.

Container sizes and costs

The cost of new IATA-certified containers ranges from $150 for the smallest sizes to over $1,200 for the largest or special containers.

Professional transport companies often include the cost of the container in the total cost of their services or offer them for rent.

Sevenoaks Animal Logistics specializes in manufacturing special CR82 wooden containers for strong breeds or dogs prone to chewing. These containers have reinforced door latches and are the accepted standard for aggressive or particularly strong animals.

Timeline and travel planning

Steps to prepare for international travel

Planning an international trip with a pet should begin 4-6 months before departure.

Chestermere Veterinary Clinic recommends starting the process as early as possible, as some countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, require up to 180 days for rabies titer tests.

A typical timeline includes:

  • Initial planning and selection of a transport company (4-6 months)
  • Microchip implantation if required (6+ months)
  • Primary or booster rabies vaccination (4+ months)
  • rabies titer test for some countries (180+ days),
  • obtaining a veterinary health certificate (within 2 weeks of travel),
  • CFIA confirmation (within 10 days of travel).

Cost and budgeting

The total cost of professional transportation can range from $2,000 to $8,000+ depending on the destination, size of the animal, and complexity of the route.

This cost usually includes all documents, veterinary examinations, container, airline tickets, and professional escort.

For owners who prefer to organize the trip themselves, the main expenses include:

  • veterinary services ($100-500),
  • CFIA confirmation ($50-200),
  • container ($150-1200+),
  • airline tickets for the animal ($200-2500+),
  • various permits and certificates ($100-500+).

Alternatives to professional transportation

Ground transportation

  • Sevenoaks Animal Logistics offers private and group door-to-door ground transportation for animals throughout the US and to and from Canada. The company offers special rates for multiple pets and has experience transporting animals for short and long distances.
  • Paws en route offers pet taxi services using the best technology in a fun, safe, and friendly environment. Their guardian drivers notify you of their arrival and adhere to COVID protocols, provide hugs and affection, properly secure your pet, and deliver them safely to their destination.

Platforms for finding transporters

Wise Move is a technology platform that allows pet owners to create transport requests and find suitable transporters in their area. The platform covers all of Canada and offers an easy way to create a request with a description and photos of your pet.

There are numerous options for organizing long-distance pet transportation in Calgary, ranging from professional full-service companies to independent planning with the support of local veterinarians and regulatory agencies.

The key to a successful trip is early planning, understanding all documentation requirements, and choosing the transportation method that best suits the needs of the specific animal.

Thanks to the well-developed infrastructure of Calgary International Airport, professional transportation companies with international accreditation, and qualified veterinarians, pet owners in Calgary have access to some of the best resources for organizing safe and comfortable travel for their beloved companions around the world.