North America
Pet travel to Halifax
Atlantic gateway with straightforward CFIA clearance at YHZ — Nova Scotia's harbour city is one of Canada's most walkable pet destinations.
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. YHZ (Halifax Stanfield International Airport) processes all international arrivals through a compact CBSA customs hall — we coordinate all CFIA pre-notification and advance documentation. The Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown (PEI) is the regional referral centre, approximately 1 hour by ferry.
— Paws en Route Compliance Team
Our process
How we handle Halifax.
Documentation Review
We audit every certificate, vaccination record, and microchip date against the exact requirements for Halifax.
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 Halifax.
Halifax Stanfield International (YHZ) is Nova Scotia's main airport with direct UK routes from Heathrow seasonally. CBSA handles live-animal imports with CFIA oversight. We file advance notifications and coordinate airport reception.
Entry Airports
Supported Airlines
At a glance
Lead time
5–10 days
Ready to travel to Halifax?
Get a custom quote with exact timelines and costs for your pet.
Pet-Friendly Stays
Where to rest in Halifax.
Future Inns Halifax
Future Inns Halifax allows 1 pet of any size for no additional fee. Both dogs and cats are welcome and may be left unattended in rooms. Waste bags are
Armdale Urban Lodge
This 3-bedroom house in Halifax allows 2 dogs of any size for no additional fee. Cats may also be allowed by request.
The Pebble Bed & Breakfast
The Pebble Bed & Breakfast is pet friendly! Dogs of any size are allowed for no additional fee. Cats are also welcome.
Paws en Route
Not seeing your ideal stay? Our concierge knows every pet-friendly property in Halifax.
Paws en route members get waived pet fees at select partner properties in Halifax. Ask your concierge which properties are currently in the programme.
Getting Around
Navigating Halifax 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
Halifax Transit allows small dogs in carriers on all bus routes. The compact downtown core — between the waterfront and Citadel Hill — is entirely walkable, making transit largely unnecessary for most clients.
Private Cars
Our Halifax partner fleet covers YHZ arrivals and day trips to Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg, and the South Shore. All-season vehicles available year-round for Atlantic weather conditions.
On Foot
The Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Park, and the Northwest Arm trail are the city's three core dog-walking routes. We provide off-lead maps and seasonal access guidance for Point Pleasant and Dartmouth Common.
Private Ground Transport
Climate-controlled, GPS-tracked fleet. Seamless door-to-door service between cities or to your final destination.
Experiences & Culture
Halifax, with your dog.
Point Pleasant Park
Point Pleasant Park is one of Halifax Regional Municipality's great civic spaces. It is the largest forested park on the Halifax peninsula and offers
5530 Point Pleasant Dr, Halifax, NS, CA, B3H 1B5
York Redoubt National Historic Site
York Redoubt National Historic Site in Halifax, NS is pet friendly. Bring your leashed dog to this historic fort, where you can enjoy views across
300 Fergusons Cove Rd, Halifax, NS, CA, B3V 1G3
Lee Valley Tools
Lee Valley Tools is a dog-friendly hardware store in Halifax. Fido can join you as you wander the aisles of high-quality woodworking tools, including
100 Susie Lake Crescent, Halifax, NS, CA, NS B3S 1C7
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
in 1749, Halifax Citadel was chosen as the destination for the fort that would protect the city of Halifax, NS. Today, the citadel is classified as
5425 Sackville St, Halifax, NS, CA, B3J 3Y3
Paws en Route
Want more to do with your dog? Our experts plan the perfect itinerary in Halifax.
Pet-Friendly Dining
Eat out, dog in tow.
Verified dog-welcoming restaurants, cafés, and markets in Halifax. Policy notes confirmed by our local team.
Terrace Dining
The Bicycle Thief
Halifax Waterfront
Popular waterfront patio welcomes leashed dogs at exterior tables.
Casual
Two If By Sea
Dartmouth
Award-winning bakery with a harbour-facing patio; dogs welcome at all outdoor tables.
Market
Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market
South End Waterfront
Leashed dogs welcome throughout the market building — Canada's oldest farmers' market.
Supply & Stores
Pet food & supply stores
Premium Pet Boutique
Global Pet Foods Halifax
3601 Joseph Howe Dr, Halifax NS B3L 4H7
Atlantic Canada's leading premium pet food retailer; raw, freeze-dried, and prescription diet stock.
Big Box
PetSmart Halifax Bayer's Lake
210 Chain Lake Dr, Halifax NS B3S 1C5
Full prescription diet inventory; 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
Harbour City Animal Hospital
3895 Kempt Rd, Halifax NS B3K 4X4
4 km from waterfront
Mon–Fri 8:00–20:00, Sat 9:00–17:00
Export Clinic
Quinpool Road Veterinary Clinic
5975 Quinpool Rd, Halifax NS B3L 1B2
3 km from Westin Nova Scotian
Mon–Fri 8:00–18:00, Sat 9:00–12:00
Boarding & Daycare
Dogtopia Halifax Dartmouth
100 Wyse Rd, Dartmouth NS B3A 1L9
3 km via MacDonald Bridge
Mon–Fri 6:30–19:30, Sat–Sun 8:00–17:00
Get a Quote
Get a custom quote for Halifax.
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 Halifax.
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 Halifax: 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 Halifax and confirmed before you land, so your first day is calm.
Common questions about Halifax.
Everything you're likely wondering before you start the process.
