North America
Pet travel to Ottawa
Federal capital with seamless CFIA processing at YOW and an unmatched network of off-lead Greenbelt trails.
Clearance & Entry
What's required to enter.
- 1
Current rabies vaccination certificate (dogs and cats)
- 2
Health certificate from USDA-accredited or CFIA-recognized vet
- 3
CBSA customs declaration
- 4
Import permit (if commercial purpose)
These are the official entry rules for Canada.
Read our step-by-step compliance guide covering every document, timing window, and government contact for Canada.
Canada does not require titre tests or quarantine for personal pet imports. Commercial dogs under 8 months require an import permit. YOW (Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport) handles a moderate volume of international pet arrivals with efficient CBSA processing — we coordinate all CFIA pre-notification and advance documentation for smooth clearance.
— Paws en Route Compliance Team
Our process
How we handle Ottawa.
Documentation Review
We audit every certificate, vaccination record, and microchip date against the exact requirements for Ottawa.
Permit Filing
Our team files all import permits and advance notifications on your behalf, tracking approval status in real time.
Veterinary Coordination
We work with your vet or our partner clinics to issue compliant health certificates timed precisely to departure.
Airport Concierge
A dedicated chaperone manages customs inspection, APHIS or border authority clearance, and handover at destination.
Local Logistics
Getting your pet into Ottawa.
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport (YOW) has CBSA facilities and direct connections to major Canadian and US hubs. Some transatlantic routes operate direct from London Heathrow via Air Canada. We handle CFIA notifications for all international arrivals.
Entry Airports
Supported Airlines
At a glance
Lead time
5–10 days
Ready to travel to Ottawa?
Get a custom quote with exact timelines and costs for your pet.
Pet-Friendly Stays
Where to rest in Ottawa.
Sheraton Ottawa Hotel
Sheraton Ottawa Hotel is pet friendly! Two pets of any size are welcome for no additional fee. Both dogs and crated cats are allowed, and well-behaved
Ottawa Airbnb Rentals
Pet policies are determined by the individual host of each Airbnb property. For more information on the pet fee, weight limit, and other restrictions
Paws en Route
Not seeing your ideal stay? Our concierge knows every pet-friendly property in Ottawa.
Paws en route members get waived pet fees at select partner properties in Ottawa. Ask your concierge which properties are currently in the programme.
Getting Around
Navigating Ottawa with your pet.
One of the biggest anxieties of pet travel is local transit. Here's everything you need to know before you land.
Public Transit
OC Transpo buses and the O-Train Confederation Line accept small dogs in soft carriers; leashed dogs are not permitted on OC Transpo surface routes. For larger dogs, our private transfer network operates from YOW.
Private Cars
Our Ottawa partner fleet covers YOW arrivals and connections to Gatineau Park. Winter-rated SUVs available November through April; crate-loading protocols confirmed at booking.
On Foot
The Glebe, Westboro, and the Rideau Canal pathway are Ottawa's most walkable dog-friendly corridors. We provide detailed NCC (National Capital Commission) trail maps for Gatineau Park off-lead sections and the Capital Pathway network.
Private Ground Transport
Climate-controlled, GPS-tracked fleet. Seamless door-to-door service between cities or to your final destination.
Experiences & Culture
Ottawa, with your dog.
Apollo Crater Park
Clean Off-leash park in Orleans (east of Ottawa). Recovered crater is grassed and has planted trees on the sides. Friendly pet owners and other dogs
600 Apollo Way, Ottawa, ON, CA, K1E 3E8
Bruce Pit
Bruce Pit is a free off leash trail/park for all dogs. Great spot for a walk in the park with spot.
175 Cedarview Rd, Ottawa, ON, CA
Cabela's
Fido is welcome to join you for an outing to pet-friendly outdoor retailer Cabela's, located in Ottawa, ON. Dogs are welcome inside so stock up on
3065 Palladium Dr, Ottawa, ON, CA, K2T 0N2
The Haunted Walk of Ottawa
Ghosts and graveyards, hangings and haunts. From the old Carleton County Jail to the metropolitan city of today, discover Ottawa's ghost stories
46½ Sparks St, Ottawa, ON, CA
Paws en Route
Want more to do with your dog? Our experts plan the perfect itinerary in Ottawa.
Pet-Friendly Dining
Eat out, dog in tow.
Verified dog-welcoming restaurants, cafés, and markets in Ottawa. Policy notes confirmed by our local team.
Terrace Dining
The Whalesbone
Bank Street
Well-known Ottawa restaurant with a popular summer patio that welcomes leashed dogs.
Casual
Bridgehead Coffee
Westboro
Ottawa's beloved local coffee chain; most locations have outdoor seating welcoming leashed dogs.
Market
ByWard Market Outdoor Stalls
ByWard Market
Leashed dogs welcome throughout the outdoor market area from spring to autumn.
Supply & Stores
Pet food & supply stores
Premium Pet Boutique
Global Pet Foods Westboro
361 Richmond Rd, Ottawa ON K2A 0E7
Raw diet, freeze-dried and premium kibble specialists; bilingual staff.
Big Box
PetSmart Ottawa South
2210 Bank St, Ottawa ON K1V 1J5
Full prescription diet range; Banfield clinic on-site for CFIA health certificate coordination.
Local Infrastructure
Know before you land.
Emergency resources, export-certified clinics, and vetted boarding — vetted and saved before departure.
Emergency Vet
Ottawa Animal Emergency & Specialty Hospital
Export Clinic
Centretown Veterinary Hospital
360 MacLaren St, Ottawa ON K2P 0M6
1.5 km from Fairmont Château Laurier
Mon–Fri 8:00–18:00, Sat 9:00–13:00
Boarding & Daycare
Dogtopia Ottawa Barrhaven
100 Marketplace Ave #23, Ottawa ON K2J 5X3
18 km from downtown
Mon–Fri 6:30–19:30, Sat–Sun 8:00–17:00
Get a Quote
Get a custom quote for Ottawa.
We handle the flights, the veterinary compliance, and the door-to-door logistics. Tell us where you're starting from, and we'll calculate the route to Ottawa.
Travelling to
Pet type
No obligation · Concierge response within 24 hours
Paws en Route Concierge
Ready to turn this guide into a real trip?
Your Preparation Timeline
We build a personalised calendar for Ottawa: permits, vet appointments, and health certificates timed precisely to your departure window so nothing expires before you board.
Local Intelligence, Pre-loaded
Vetted stays, pet-safe transit routes, and emergency contacts, all curated for Ottawa and confirmed before you land, so your first day is calm.
Common questions about Ottawa.
Everything you're likely wondering before you start the process.
