Destination: Calgary
Taking Pets to Calgary
Taking Pets to Calgary
Calgary, located in the heart of Canada’s stunning Alberta province, is a popular destination for UK pet owners relocating abroad. Known for its pet-friendly culture and proximity to the Rocky Mountains, Calgary is an ideal city for pets and their owners. The UK’s rabies-free status makes importing pets to Calgary straightforward, with no quarantine required, provided the correct steps are followed.
The journey to Calgary involves a few simple requirements: your pet must have a microchip, an up-to-date rabies vaccination, and a health certificate issued within five days of travel. For pets without a rabies vaccination, DEFRA export paperwork can certify the UK’s rabies-free status, ensuring compliance with Canadian import laws. Puppies under eight months old can also travel, though they are subject to additional requirements.
Direct flights to Calgary International Airport are available from several UK airports, making the journey seamless and convenient for pet travel. Returning to the UK is equally stress-free, provided your pet has a rabies vaccine administered at least 21 days before the flight. PetAir UK’s expert team ensures all paperwork and logistics are handled with precision, so you and your pet can enjoy a smooth relocation to Calgary.
Plan Your Pet’s Journey
- Research airlines offering direct flights to Calgary International Airport, such as British Airways and Air Canada.
- Check airline-specific requirements for pet travel, including crate sizes, weight limits, and documentation.
Microchip Your Pet
- It is mandatory to have your pets Microchipped or equivalent for travel – Cats & Dogs require an ISO-compliant microchip for identification.
- If your pet isn’t already microchipped, arrange this with your vet well in advance of the flight.
Rabies Vaccination
- A rabies vaccination is recommended but not compulsory for entry into Canada.
- If your pet has been vaccinated, obtain a Fit to Fly certificate from a vet within 10 days of travel.
- If your pet is not vaccinated, a DEFRA export certificate issued within 72 hours of departure is required.
Obtain a Health Certificate
- Schedule a veterinary appointment to issue a health certificate within 10 days of travel (or 72 hours if unvaccinated for rabies).
- Ensure the certificate complies with Canadian import requirements, including details about vaccinations and overall health.
Select an Appropriate Travel Crate
- Purchase an IATA-compliant travel crate that allows your pet to stand, turn, and lie down comfortably.
- Introduce the crate to your pet weeks before the flight to help them acclimatise and reduce travel-related stress.
- PetAir UK provides bespoke travel crates with pheromone spray, deep bedding, and water bowls for added comfort.
Prepare for Departure
- Arrive early at the airport on the day of travel to complete pet check-in procedures.
- Clearly label the crate with your contact information and Calgary address.
Customs Clearance in Calgary
Upon arrival, your pet will go through customs clearance, which includes:
- Presenting all required paperwork to border officials.
- Paying any applicable import fees.
- Undergoing an inspection if required.
- Ensure your contact details are visible on your pet’s crate for easy identification.
Settle Your Pet in Calgary
- Help your pet adjust to their new home by gradually introducing them to their surroundings.
- Locate pet-friendly parks, walking trails, and veterinary services in Calgary to ensure your pet’s comfort and health.
Returning to the UK
- If planning to return, ensure your pet receives a rabies booster at least 21 days before departure.
- Verify all UK import paperwork is complete and accurate to avoid quarantine upon arrival.
Trust Pet Travel Experts
- Work with professionals like PetAir UK to oversee all travel arrangements, ensuring every detail is handled with care and compliance.
By following these steps, relocating your pet to Calgary is a stress-free experience. With its pet-friendly atmosphere and breathtaking natural surroundings, Calgary is a wonderful place for your pet to call home.
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Coco to Canada – May 2019
We are all in our new home safe and sound. Just wanted to say thank you so much to you & your team, we really couldn’t have taken our ‘baby no 1’ overseas & stress-free without you! Once you became our agent I felt things were finally moving in the right direction, you have reassured me & explained everything clearly throughout this whole process & I cannot thank you enough. Will be in touch if we decide to return to the UK!
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Cookie to Toronto
Would just like to let you know cookie arrived safe and well. I can’t thank you all enough. You are a great team and did a fantastic job coordinating his trip. A big thank you to Ian in Scotland also, he was amazing really! I will certainly be writing a review on your website. Very much appreciated
Much Love, Lxxxx, Cxxxxxx, Cookie and Cxxx.
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Harley flew to Canada during coronavirus lockdown. April 2020
Harley made it safe and sound and honestly PetAir UK made this the EASIEST process of my life. I was not worried about her and the fact that you were able to pick her up and provide a crate for her made things that much better. I am so happy to have my fur baby back and I couldn’t have done it without you. I appreciate all the updates and the options provided to me.
Please see a picture of when we picked her up! Made me so happy!
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Thor flew over to Canada with Petair UK
“Thanks Linsey for all your help with everything, it went so smoothly. Thor is doing really well he seems to be happier here in Calgary he is always smiling. The kids played dress up with him and I took a really cute picture to which I attached. Thanks to you and your team for the stress free transfer of Thor.”
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Tosca and Allegra to Canada
Just wanted to let you know that the flight to Montreal went well and the dogs have settled back to their of life in paradise, lots of freedom, nature and the lake….
The weather has been really nice too but today raining.
Thank you again for all your help!
They will return to UK at the end of February and next summer we’ll do this again.
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Marley and Dakota travelled to Vancouver, Canada
Hey Darren, Hope all is well.
I just wanted to say huge huge thank you to all involved with the transporting of Marley and Dakota to Vancouver.
The boys arrived yesterday, with much praise from customs and the cargo centre staff. Everyone got kisses, lol. The staff at Swissport were really lovely, caring and helpful. They helped us with the crate to the car and made sure the boys were happy.
Both flew fabulously, with absolutely zero mess in their crates! It was spanking clean, which everyone was shocked about especially for such a long journey with additional delays in Customs due to two flights from Asia landing just before the boys did. I would thoroughly recommend anyone with Nervous dogs to definitely get the travel crate beforehand for their dogs to get accustomed and make it their own safe haven. I’m pretty sure it made a huge difference.
They are still adjusting to the time difference, but surprisingly are eating really well, playing with toys and enjoying getting to know their new home on Vancouver Island. They definitely have a way too much energy for me at the moment lol.
Thanks again for everything. I will definitely keep in contact with updates as we all settle in.
Lxxxx, Dxxxxx, Marley and Dakota