For Canadian puppy buyers: print this page, or email the link, to your US breeder so their veterinarian has every field in front of them at the appointment. It covers an unaccompanied puppy travelling from the United States to Canada as a privately owned, non-commercial pet. Every clause is explained in what your vet must put on the health certificate.

Puppy Travelling From the U.S. to Canada Without You: What Your Vet Needs

For an unaccompanied puppy under 8 months entering Canada from the United States as a privately owned, non-commercial pet. Every line below is a field on the official USDA/APHIS certificate.

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QR code linking to the official USDA APHIS health certificate PDF

OFFICIAL USDA/APHIS HEALTH CERTIFICATEPrint and complete this form. It is titled Veterinary Health Certificate: Export of Dogs (Non-Commercial) Eight Months of Age and Less, From the United States to Canada. Two pages. It does not need APHIS endorsement.
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/canada-dog.pdf

THE 72-HOUR RULE. The puppy must be presented at the first port of entry in Canada within 72 hours of the time of examination. The clock starts at the exam, not at departure. Record the time and the time zone, not just the date.

Puppy identification

Name / identificationBreedSexColourDate of birth / age at examination

Must be at least 8 weeks old at examination. One row per puppy on page 2 of the certificate. Littermates must be tellable apart in person, not just on paper.

Consignor (US breeder / seller)

Name, including company or kennel nameAddress

Consignee (Canadian owner / importer)

NameAddress

Veterinary examination

Puppy examined and found healthy, free of any clinical evidence of disease
Puppy was not less than 8 weeks of age at the time of examination
Puppy can travel without undue suffering by reason of illness, injury, fatigue or any other reason
Shipper advised of the 72-hour presentation rule

Date of examinationTime + TIME ZONE

Veterinarian

Name (printed)State of licensureLicence numberSignatureDate and time signed, including time zone

Any US state-licensed veterinarian may complete and sign. USDA accreditation is not required, and no APHIS endorsement is required for this certificate.

Vaccination: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza (DHPP)

Must be given no earlier than 6 weeks of age, with a USDA-licensed vaccine. All four columns are required on the certificate. The serial or lot number is the field most often left blank, so please record it while the vial or record is to hand.

Vaccine	Date administered	Manufacturer / product	Serial / lot number
DHPP

Rabies

3 months of age and older: rabies vaccination is required, and the date and vaccine name go on the certificate. Under 3 months:not required, and this clause is left blank because a puppy that young cannot yet be effectively vaccinated. Carry proof of the puppy's date of birth instead.

Vaccine	Date administered	Manufacturer / product	Serial / lot number
Rabies

Requirements can change. Confirm current CFIA and USDA/APHIS requirements before travel. This checklist is a convenience summary of the official certificate, not a substitute for it, and not legal or veterinary advice.

Read the full guide:
dreamersblisspettransport.com/guides/puppy-health-certificate-usa-to-canada-unaccompanied

Read the full Dreamer's Bliss guide: What Your Vet Must Put on the Health Certificate for a Puppy Travelling to Canada Without You. Related: accompanied vs. unaccompanied · importing a puppy from the USA · get a transport quote