North America
Pet travel to Toronto
CFIA-cleared entry with streamlined CBSA customs processing at YYZ — Canada's busiest and most dog-forward city.
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. YYZ (Toronto Pearson International) handles the highest volume of international pet arrivals in Canada — we coordinate all CFIA pre-notification and CBSA advance documentation for Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 arrivals.
— Paws en Route Compliance Team
Our process
How we handle Toronto.
Documentation Review
We audit every certificate, vaccination record, and microchip date against the exact requirements for Toronto.
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 Toronto.
Pearson International (YYZ) has a dedicated CBSA live-animal receiving area in the cargo terminal. We coordinate all CFIA advance notifications for your specific flight. Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ) handles domestic routes only.
Entry Airports
Supported Airlines
At a glance
Lead time
5–10 days
Ready to travel to Toronto?
Get a custom quote with exact timelines and costs for your pet.
Pet-Friendly Stays
Where to rest in Toronto.
Kimpton Saint George by IHG
Kimpton Saint George by IHG allows two pets of any size for no additional fee. Both dogs and cats are allowed.
Executive 5-Bedroom with Lakeview
This 5-bedroom house in Toronto is pet friendly! Dogs of any size are welcome for no additional fee. Cats may also be allowed by request.
Paws en Route
Not seeing your ideal stay? Our concierge knows every pet-friendly property in Toronto.
Paws en route members get waived pet fees at select partner properties in Toronto. Ask your concierge which properties are currently in the programme.
Getting Around
Navigating Toronto 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
TTC (subway, streetcar, bus) allows dogs in carriers at no extra charge; leashed dogs are welcome on all surface routes. The King West and Queen West streetcar corridors put you within steps of the city's best dog-friendly patios.
Private Cars
Uber and Lyft accept all dogs with advance notice; our concierge pre-books pet-confirmed SUV transfers for larger breeds from YYZ. Black car service available for crate transport from Terminals 1 and 3.
On Foot
King West, Harbourfront, and the Distillery District are eminently walkable neighbourhoods. We provide off-lead zone maps for High Park, Tommy Thompson Park, and Sunnybrook Park off-leash areas.
Private Ground Transport
Climate-controlled, GPS-tracked fleet. Seamless door-to-door service between cities or to your final destination.
Experiences & Culture
Toronto, with your dog.
Sherwood Park
Sherwood Park features a large playground, wading pools, walking trails, picnic tables, and an off-leash dog park. Leashed dogs are also welcome
190 Sherwood Ave, Toronto, ON, CA
Sugar Beach Park
Four-legged friends are invited to visit the pet-friendly Sugar Beach Park in Toronto, ON. This local oasis features pink umbrellas in beautiful
11 Dockside Dr, Toronto, ON, CA, M5A 1B6
Rouge National Urban Park
Rouge National Urban Park is a dog-friendly outdoor recreation area in Toronto, ON. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you on one of the many trails
1749 Meadowvale Rd, Toronto, ON, CA, M1B 5W8
Urban Barn
Bring your dog to shop for furniture and accessories store for your home and office at Urban Barn.
181 N Queen St, Toronto, ON, CA, M9C 1A7
Toronto Harbour Tours
Toronto Harbour Tours is a pet-friendly company based in Toronto, ON. Dogs are welcome to join their owners on a cruise of the scenic Toronto skyline,
145 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON, CA, M5J 2H4
Paws en Route
Want more to do with your dog? Our experts plan the perfect itinerary in Toronto.
Pet-Friendly Dining
Eat out, dog in tow.
Verified dog-welcoming restaurants, cafés, and markets in Toronto. Policy notes confirmed by our local team.
Terrace Dining
Richmond Station
Financial District
Leashed dogs welcome on the patio during summer; water bowls on request.
Terrace Dining
Café Boulud Toronto
Yorkville
Four Seasons patio welcomes well-behaved dogs at terrace tables.
Market
St Lawrence Market (Outdoor)
Old Town
Leashed dogs welcome throughout the outdoor market corridor every Saturday.
Supply & Stores
Pet food & supply stores
Premium Pet Boutique
Homes Alive Pets Toronto
707 Queen St W, Toronto ON M6J 1E6
Premium raw, freeze-dried and grain-free brands; staff trained in therapeutic nutrition.
Big Box
PetSmart Toronto Yorkville
396 St Clair Ave W, Toronto ON M5P 3H2
Full prescription diet inventory; Banfield veterinary clinic on-site for health certificates.
Local Infrastructure
Know before you land.
Emergency resources, export-certified clinics, and vetted boarding — vetted and saved before departure.
Emergency Vet
Toronto Veterinary Emergency Hospital
Export Clinic
Roncesvalles Animal Hospital
345 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto ON M6R 2M8
7 km from downtown core
Mon–Fri 8:00–18:00, Sat 9:00–13:00
Boarding & Daycare
Dogtopia Toronto Midtown
572 Eglinton Ave W, Toronto ON M5N 1B5
4 km from Bloor–Yonge
Mon–Fri 6:30–19:30, Sat–Sun 8:00–18:00
Get a Quote
Get a custom quote for Toronto.
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 Toronto.
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 Toronto: 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 Toronto and confirmed before you land, so your first day is calm.
Common questions about Toronto.
Everything you're likely wondering before you start the process.
