North America
Pet travel to Kelowna
Okanagan wine country meets outdoor adventure — CFIA clearance at YLW with Knox Mountain trails and Okanagan Lake on your doorstep.
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. YLW (Kelowna International Airport) processes all international arrivals — mostly from the US and Vancouver — through a compact CBSA customs hall with efficient clearance for compliant pet imports. We coordinate all CFIA pre-notification and advance documentation.
— Paws en Route Compliance Team
Our process
How we handle Kelowna.
Documentation Review
We audit every certificate, vaccination record, and microchip date against the exact requirements for Kelowna.
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 Kelowna.
Kelowna International (YLW) serves BC's Okanagan with domestic connections via YVR and YYC. International pets typically route via Vancouver for CFIA clearance, then connect or ground-transfer to Kelowna (4 hours by car).
Entry Airports
Supported Airlines
At a glance
Lead time
5–10 days
Ready to travel to Kelowna?
Get a custom quote with exact timelines and costs for your pet.
Pet-Friendly Stays
Where to rest in Kelowna.
Coast Capri Hotel
Coast Capri Hotel welcomes two pets of any size in designated rooms for an additional fee of CA$25 per pet, per night. Both dogs and cats are allowed,
Kelowna 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
A Touch of English Bed & Breakfast
A Touch of English Bed & Breakfast allows dogs of any size in designated rooms with a refundable deposit of CA$20 per night. Sorry, no cats.
Apple Valley Orchard & RV Park
Apple Valley Orchard & RV Park allows dogs of any size for no additional fee. Pets must be leashed on property grounds and may not be left unattended
Paws en Route
Not seeing your ideal stay? Our concierge knows every pet-friendly property in Kelowna.
Paws en route members get waived pet fees at select partner properties in Kelowna. Ask your concierge which properties are currently in the programme.
Getting Around
Navigating Kelowna with your pet.
One of the biggest anxieties of pet travel is local transit. Here's everything you need to know before you land.
Private Cars
Kelowna is a car-based city; our partner fleet covers YLW arrivals, winery day tours, and connections to Big White Ski Resort. All-season SUVs available year-round; winter-rated vehicles from November through April.
On Foot
The downtown lakeshore, Knox Mountain Park, and the Mission Creek Greenway are all walkable from the core. We provide off-lead zone maps for Knox Mountain and the waterfront parkway off-lead areas.
Public Transit
BC Transit (Kelowna Regional Transit) accepts small dogs in carriers; limited coverage means private transport is the practical choice for most destinations including trailheads and wineries.
Private Ground Transport
Climate-controlled, GPS-tracked fleet. Seamless door-to-door service between cities or to your final destination.
Experiences & Culture
Kelowna, with your dog.
Cedar Creek Dog Park
Cedar Creek Dog Park in Kelowna, BC offers Fido an off-leash dog beach, lake access, trails, and wide open spaces to play. Allow your pooch to to take
5167 Lakeshore Rd, Kelowna, BC, CA, V1W 4J2
Lake Avenue Dog Off-Leash Beach
The beach access at Lake Avenue is now a permanent off-leash dog beach. The decision follows the conclusion of a two-year trial to determine the feasibility
128 Lake Ave, Kelowna, BC, CA, V1Y 5W2
Paws en Route
Want more to do with your dog? Our experts plan the perfect itinerary in Kelowna.
Pet-Friendly Dining
Eat out, dog in tow.
Verified dog-welcoming restaurants, cafés, and markets in Kelowna. Policy notes confirmed by our local team.
Terrace Dining
Waterfront Wines Restaurant
Downtown Kelowna
Lakeside patio welcomes leashed dogs at exterior tables during the Okanagan summer season.
Casual
Bright Jenny Coffee
Pandosy Village
Popular neighbourhood café with an outdoor patio welcoming leashed dogs year-round.
Market
Kelowna Farmers' & Crafters' Market
Dilworth Drive
Leashed dogs welcome throughout the Sunday outdoor market from April to October.
Supply & Stores
Pet food & supply stores
Premium Pet Boutique
Homes Alive Pets Kelowna
1634 Dickson Ave, Kelowna BC V1Y 7G4
Premium raw and freeze-dried specialists; staff knowledgeable on active and outdoor dog nutrition.
Big Box
PetSmart Kelowna Orchard Park
2271 Harvey Ave, Kelowna BC V1Y 6H2
Full prescription diet range; Banfield clinic 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
Central Okanagan Emergency Veterinary Hospital
Export Clinic
Kelowna Veterinary Hospital
531 Bernard Ave, Kelowna BC V1Y 6N9
1 km from Hotel Zed
Mon–Fri 8:00–18:00, Sat 9:00–13:00
Boarding & Daycare
Paw Resort & Wellness Kelowna
3450 Sexsmith Rd, Kelowna BC V1X 7X4
12 km from downtown
Mon–Fri 7:00–19:00, Sat–Sun 8:00–17:00
Get a Quote
Get a custom quote for Kelowna.
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 Kelowna.
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 Kelowna: 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 Kelowna and confirmed before you land, so your first day is calm.
Common questions about Kelowna.
Everything you're likely wondering before you start the process.
