North America
Pet travel to Victoria
Canada's most temperate city — CFIA clearance at YYJ with Beacon Hill Park's legendary off-lead area steps from the Inner Harbour.
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. YYJ (Victoria International Airport) is a compact international facility with efficient CBSA processing — we coordinate all CFIA pre-notification and advance documentation. Water taxi services between the Inner Harbour and Seattle (Kenmore Air, Harbour Air) also accept pets with advance notice.
— Paws en Route Compliance Team
Our process
How we handle Victoria.
Documentation Review
We audit every certificate, vaccination record, and microchip date against the exact requirements for Victoria.
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 Victoria.
Victoria International (YYJ) serves BC's capital with connections from Vancouver and Seattle. International pets arriving from overseas typically clear CFIA at YVR and continue to Victoria by connecting flight or BC Ferries (pet-friendly, car deck).
Entry Airports
Supported Airlines
At a glance
Lead time
5–10 days
Ready to travel to Victoria?
Get a custom quote with exact timelines and costs for your pet.
Pet-Friendly Stays
Where to rest in Victoria.
Fairmont Empress
Fairmont Empress allows two pets of any size in designated rooms for no additional fee. Both cats and dogs are permitted, but pets may not be left in
Tudor Cottage Rental
This 2-bedroom vacation rental in Victoria allows 2 dogs of any size for no additional fee. Cats may also be allowed by request. There is a resident
Fisherman's Wharf Bed & Breakfast
Fisherman's Wharf Bed & Breakfast allows dogs of any size for an additional fee of CA$20 per stay. Sorry, no cats.
Paws en Route
Not seeing your ideal stay? Our concierge knows every pet-friendly property in Victoria.
Paws en route members get waived pet fees at select partner properties in Victoria. Ask your concierge which properties are currently in the programme.
Getting Around
Navigating Victoria 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
BC Transit (Victoria Regional Transit) allows small dogs in carriers on all routes; leashed dogs are not permitted. The Inner Harbour, downtown, and Beacon Hill Park are all walkable from the major hotels, making transit largely optional.
Private Cars
Our Victoria partner fleet covers YYJ arrivals and day trips to Tofino, Cowichan Valley, and the Malahat. BC Ferries accepts leashed dogs on all decks — we coordinate ferry crossings from Tsawwassen as part of a full Victoria travel package.
On Foot
Victoria is one of Canada's most walkable cities. The Inner Harbour promenade, the Dallas Road waterfront, and Government Street are all dog-welcoming on foot. We provide off-lead zone maps for Beacon Hill Park and Elk Lake Regional Park.
Private Ground Transport
Climate-controlled, GPS-tracked fleet. Seamless door-to-door service between cities or to your final destination.
Experiences & Culture
Victoria, with your dog.
View Royal Park
View Royal Park is a dog-friendly outdoor recreation area in Victoria, BC. Leashed dogs are welcome on the paved walking loop and Fido can run and
60 Pheasant Ln, Victoria, BC, CA, V9B 5J7
Botanical Beach
Botanical Beach is found within Juan de Fuca Provincial Park. This section is a small forest hike to the beach. Dogs welcome on leash. Lots of tide
Botanical Beach Loop Trail, Victoria, BC, CA
MaCaulay Point Park
Leashed dogs can join you at Macaulay Point Park in Esquimalt, Victoria, British Columbia. This pet-friendly outdoor space is home to rare and endangered
304 Clifton Terrace, Victoria, BC, CA, V9A 5X9
lululemon
Get the latest styles of athletic and workout apparel, including yoga and running shirts, tops, and pants. Lululemon allows well-behaved pets
584 Johnson St, Victoria, BC, CA
Explore Hidden Gems in Victoria
'Explore Hidden Gems in Victoria' is a pet-friendly Airbnb Experience hosted by Bebe. You and your pooch will take a guided walking tour of the city
Victoria City Hall, 1 Centennial Square, Victoria, BC, CA, V8W 1P6
Paws en Route
Want more to do with your dog? Our experts plan the perfect itinerary in Victoria.
Pet-Friendly Dining
Eat out, dog in tow.
Verified dog-welcoming restaurants, cafés, and markets in Victoria. Policy notes confirmed by our local team.
Terrace Dining
Canoe Brew Pub
Inner Harbour
Waterfront patio on the Inner Harbour welcomes leashed dogs at exterior tables.
Casual
Fernwood Coffee
Fernwood
Victoria neighbourhood institution; outdoor tables welcome leashed dogs year-round.
Market
Victoria Public Market
Hudson District
Leashed dogs welcome in the outdoor market corridor on weekends.
Supply & Stores
Pet food & supply stores
Premium Pet Boutique
Global Pet Foods Victoria
550 Bay St, Victoria BC V8T 1R5
Raw, freeze-dried, and premium kibble; staff knowledgeable on island-specific nutrition and tick prevention.
Big Box
PetSmart Victoria
3961 Quadra St, Victoria BC V8X 1J8
Full prescription diet range and Banfield clinic for CFIA health certificate appointments.
Local Infrastructure
Know before you land.
Emergency resources, export-certified clinics, and vetted boarding — vetted and saved before departure.
Emergency Vet
Central Victoria Veterinary Hospital
Export Clinic
Oak Bay Veterinary Hospital
1964 Oak Bay Ave, Victoria BC V8R 1E2
3 km from downtown
Mon–Fri 8:00–18:00, Sat 9:00–13:00
Boarding & Daycare
Doggy Business Daycare & Boarding
410 Gorge Rd E, Victoria BC V8T 2W2
4 km from Inner Harbour
Mon–Fri 7:00–19:00, Sat–Sun 8:00–17:00
Get a Quote
Get a custom quote for Victoria.
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 Victoria.
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 Victoria: 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 Victoria and confirmed before you land, so your first day is calm.
Common questions about Victoria.
Everything you're likely wondering before you start the process.
