Questions and answers
Pet transport FAQ
Plain answers about prices, flights, crates, vet paperwork and local rides. Airline rules come from the airlines' own pages. If your question is not here, email us.
Prices and booking
How much does it cost to move a pet within Canada?
It depends on your pet's size (which sets the crate size), the route and airline, the pickup and delivery distance, the breed, the time of year, and extras such as buying a crate or a vet ride. Like all air cargo, the airline charges by weight and volume: the greater of the real weight of your pet and crate, and the volume weight worked out from the crate's outside size, plus airline fees. Our price includes the airline's charges. Fill in the quote form: on most routes you see your price on screen right after you enter your contact details, and we email you a copy. For the rest we send it within 24 hours. See how pricing works.
Why do some moves get a price right away and others do not?
On most routes the form can work out your whole price on the spot. Some moves need a check with the airline first: snub-nosed and strong breeds, very large pets, moves with more than two pets, and some routes and dates. For those, we email your price within 24 hours.
Is tax included in your prices?
No. Tax is added on top, based on where the move ends. Your quote shows the tax and the total.
How long is my price valid?
7 days. The date is on your quote. Airline rates change, so after that date we check the price again before you book.
How do I book?
Press the book button in your quote email. We then ask the airline for cargo space and confirm your booking by email once the airline confirms. Local rides and road trips are confirmed the same way, without the airline step.
Air moves
Which airlines do you use?
We book your pet as cargo on a Canadian airline that flies your route, and choose the flight and the timing that are easiest on your pet. Your booking confirmation names the airline and the flight. Not every airline carries pets on their own: Porter and Flair take small pets in the cabin only. See Canadian airlines and pets.
Which cities do you fly pets to and from?
Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax, Regina, Saskatoon, St. John's, Montreal, Ottawa, Kelowna, Victoria, Quebec City, Thunder Bay, Charlottetown, Deer Lake and Fort McMurray, to and from Toronto. See all routes. Moving somewhere else in Canada? Get a price and we will plan the move with you.
Can my pet fly in December?
Space is very limited. WestJet does not carry pets as cargo on its 737 and Q400 aircraft from December 18 to January 4. Only 787 flights can carry pets as cargo in that window. Air Canada's cargo page says it does not carry cats or dogs as cargo within Canada from December 15 to January 12. If your move falls in that window, tell us early. See winter and holiday embargoes.
Are there limits in winter or summer?
In winter: From November 1 to March 31, Air Canada does not carry animals as cargo on some narrow-body aircraft. WestJet does not carry hairless breeds as cargo from December 1 to March 31. In summer: Neither airline has a dated summer embargo within Canada. Air Canada rebooks pets when it is 29.5°C or hotter at the origin, the destination or along the way, and WestJet may decline snub-nosed breeds in hot weather.
My dog is a snub-nosed or strong breed. Can they fly?
Sometimes, with extra rules. Air Canada takes snub-nosed breeds such as pugs, bulldogs and boxers only through an approved pet shipper. WestJet takes them with a vet health check at a higher rate, and may refuse them in hot weather. Strong breeds need a reinforced crate, and pit bull type dogs are restricted in Ontario, so they cannot travel through Pearson. We price these moves by hand. See snub-nosed breeds and flying.
How young can a puppy or kitten fly?
8 weeks on WestJet Cargo and 10 weeks on Air Canada Cargo. On WestJet, pets 8 to 12 weeks old also need a vet health certificate.
Who collects my pet when they land?
Coming to Toronto, we do: we collect your pet at Pearson cargo and deliver anywhere in Toronto and the GTA. Leaving Toronto, someone you choose collects your pet at the airline's cargo office at the destination airport, and we send them the address, the opening hours and the air waybill number. Pets are usually ready about 1.5 hours after landing on WestJet and about 3 hours on Air Canada. Collect your pet as soon as it is ready: a pet not collected within 4 hours is moved to a kennel (or a vet) at your cost.
I am flying too. Can you help?
Yes. We can supply the crate, take your pet to the vet and bring your pet to Pearson. Owners do not ride in our vehicles, so we meet you at the airport. You pay the airline's pet fee yourself. See airport pet transport.
Do you move pets to other countries?
No. We move pets within Canada.
Crates
What size crate does my pet need?
We work it out from four measurements: nose to base of tail, floor to elbow, width across the shoulders, and floor to the top of the head or ear tips. Try the crate size calculator. It is an estimate: your pet may need a bigger crate once we see them, and the airline makes the final call at check-in.
Can I use my own crate?
Yes, if it meets the airline rules: rigid plastic in two parts, a solid roof, a metal door, metal nuts and bolts, air holes on all four sides, no wheels, and dishes fixed to the door that can be filled from outside. Wire, soft and folding crates are not accepted. Send us the make and size and we will check it.
What comes with a crate from you?
The crate in the right size, fitted for your pet, with absorbent bedding, food and water dishes, cable ties and the airline labels, delivered to you. The crate is added to your quote if you need one. See airline pet crates.
Can two pets share a crate?
Only if each weighs 14 kg or less and they live together. They need a wider crate than one pet would. Tell us in the form and we size it for you.
Health certificates
Does my pet need a health certificate to fly?
It depends on the airline. Air Canada Cargo: a health certificate is required for every pet shipped as cargo, from a licensed vet, dated no more than 30 days before travel. WestJet Cargo: a health certificate is needed only for snub-nosed breeds, pets 8 to 12 weeks old, and pets that are sedated or have had recent surgery. It is valid for 10 days. We tell you which applies. Book the vet visit once the flight date is confirmed, so the certificate is still valid on the day.
Do I need a special vet for a fit to fly certificate?
No. Any licensed vet can sign it. There is no federal certificate for moving a pet within Canada, so your own vet is fine. See vet health certificate for flying.
Can you take my pet to the vet?
Yes. We drive your pet to your vet and back, and the driver waits during the visit. You pay the vet directly. The ride is priced in the quote form.
Local rides
What local rides do you do?
Vet visits, groomers, daycare, and rides to and from Pearson, across Toronto and the GTA. See pet taxi in Toronto.
Which areas get an instant price?
Trips under 60 km with at least one end in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham or Richmond Hill. We also go to Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Caledon, King, Aurora and other nearby towns on a custom quote. See service area.
How is a local ride priced?
By distance. The price depends on the distance between your addresses, one-way or return (a return trip counts the distance both ways), and any waiting time, which is charged in 15 minute blocks. Tolls and parking are at cost. Fill in the quote form: for most rides you see your price on screen right after you enter your contact details, and we email you a copy.
Are there extra charges?
Some. An extra pet from the same home, booking at short notice, early morning, evening and weekend rides, and Ontario statutory holidays all add to the price. The form adds these for you.
Can the driver stay with my pet at the vet?
Yes. Add it to your booking and the driver stays in the exam room while you join by phone. You choose a waiting time of 45, 60 or 90 minutes.
Safety
Can I ride along with my pet?
No. Pets only in our vehicles. Owners never ride along.
Does my pet have to be in a crate in the car?
Not always. On the ground, pets ride in a carrier, in a crate, or loose, depending on the pet. We agree it with you before the trip. In the air, every pet travels in an airline approved crate.
What if my pet gets sick or hurt during a trip?
We call you right away. If we cannot reach you and your pet needs care, we take them to the nearest vet. When you book, you can tell us your own vet and any limits you want us to follow.
Do you move birds, reptiles or other exotic pets?
Only on a custom quote, because many of them are sensitive to temperature. Email us first.
Do you offer end-of-life transport?
No. We do not provide euthanasia appointments, crematorium trips or transport of remains.
Cancellations
What if I cancel a local ride?
It is free if you cancel 24 hours or more before pickup. Between 2 and 24 hours before, it is half the fare. Under 2 hours before, or if nobody is there to hand over your pet, it is the full fare.
What if I cancel an air move?
Cancelling is free until we book the airline space or order the crate. After that, the airline charges, any vet fees we paid for you and the crate are not refundable unless the airline or the vet refunds us. Less than 7 days before the flight, the Toronto rides and the airport check-in are also charged. See our terms.
What if the airline cancels the flight or refuses my pet?
We tell you straight away and look for the next suitable flight. Airlines can move or refuse a booking because of space, weather, embargoes or breed rules, and they make the final call at check-in. That is why we never promise a flight.
Still have a question?
Email hello@petvalet.ca. We reply within 24 hours. For the full picture, read how it works.
Want us to handle it?
Tell us where your pet is going. On most routes you see a price right away. For the rest, we send it within a day.