1. Understanding the Paperwork: Learn how to Apply for an Export Certificates in India
An important step in exporting a pet from India is acquiring the Export Certificates from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS). This certificates confirms that your pet is wholesome and cleared to journey.
What it’s good to put together earlier than visiting the AQCS workplace:
- Software kind: Accessible on the AQCS web site.
- Veterinary well being certificates: Issued by a neighborhood licensed vet inside 3–5 days of journey.
- Microchip certificates: Your canine should have a 15-digit ISO-compliant microchip implanted earlier than their newest rabies vaccination.
- Vaccination file: Full booklet for the previous yr, signed and stamped by your vet.
- Your identification: Copy of your passport and a confirmed air ticket.
- Images: Two postcard-sized images (4×6″) of your pet on a lightweight background.
Reserving your AQCS appointment

E-mail the AQCS regional department to your space (e.g., aqcs.mum-dadf@nic.in for the Mumbai zone) roughly 6 to 10 days earlier than your departure to schedule a go to.
On the day of your appointment, convey your canine and all unique paperwork. The officers will confirm your paperwork and carry out a quick bodily examination to scan the microchip. As soon as accredited, you’ll obtain your Export Certificates, which is legitimate to your journey date.
💡TIP: Carry meals, water, and a bowl to your pet. The AQCS course of and examination can simply take 2–3 hours.
2. Reserving the Proper Flight: Airways that Enable Pets from India to Canada
When reserving your flight, you have to examine whether or not your airline permits pets in-cabin or requires them to journey within the climate-controlled cargo maintain.
- In-Cabin: Your pet and crate should weigh underneath 7 kg (15lbs). That is normally solely potential for small puppies or toy breeds.
- Cargo Maintain: Airways comparable to Qatar Airways or Lufthansa enable pets as much as 70 kg in safe, pressurized holds.
Earlier than reserving your individual ticket, name the airline on to confirm that there’s area for a pet in your precise route and dates. Checking airline capability early is significant to transferring to Canada with pets safely. When you e book, be sure to get an e-mail verification from the airline stating your canine is locked into the manifest.
⚠️ Essential Transit & Border Restrictions
- The EU Layover Entice: Should you transit by way of the European Union, your pet will legally require a Rabies Titer Check, which should be processed by way of an EU-approved lab. There’s additionally a compulsory three-month ready interval.
- The UK Restriction: If touring by way of British Airways by way of the UK, pets can’t fly within the cargo maintain of the identical plane as you; they’re routed on a separate cargo flight solely.
- The Industrial Ban: The Canadian Meals Inspection Company (CFIA) has a strict, everlasting ban on business canine imports from India. This contains canine meant for adoption, fostering, or rescue networks. Your canine will solely clear customs easily if they’re your legally documented private pet.
Due to these guidelines, I flew with Qatar Airways. They didn’t require a Rabies Titer Check for a Doha layover, allowed Comet to fly within the cargo of my precise aircraft, and stored the layover length completely manageable.
3. Getting an IATA-Accredited Pet Crate for Air Journey

Your pet’s crate should meet IATA (Worldwide Air Transport Affiliation) requirements. If it doesn’t, the airline will deny your canine boarding on the gate. When transferring to Canada with pets, your crate choice could make or break your journey day.
Crate Preparation Guidelines
- Measurement: The crate should be tall sufficient to your canine to face up straight with out their head touching the roof, large sufficient for them to show round comfortably, and lengthy sufficient for them to lie down absolutely prolonged.
- Water & Meals: Connect a water bottle or clip-on bowls to the metallic wire door. Most crates embrace a removable feeding bowl. Tape a small zip-lock pouch of dry kibble to the highest of the crate.
- Bedding: Line the ground with extremely absorbent pee pads and safe the perimeters firmly with tape.
- Acclimatization: Purchase the crate months prematurely. Begin by tossing treats inside for 10 minutes a day, step by step rising the time till your canine views it as a secure sleeping den.
- Identification: Connect a one-page doc in a weatherproof pouch together with your pet’s identify, breed, picture, flight numbers, feeding directions, and your emergency contact numbers.

