How pricing works

Pet shipping cost within Canada

What it costs to fly your pet within Canada depends on your pet's size, the route, the airline and the help you need. Here is what changes the price, what is included, and how to get your exact price in about three minutes.

Get your price

The price factors

What affects the cost

Six things set the price of a pet move. Most of them come from your pet and your dates, not from us.

Crate size

The biggest factor. Airlines charge by the crate's weight and the space it takes, and the crate follows your pet's measurements, not just their weight. A cat and a Labrador are very different shipments.

Route and airline

Which city, which direction, and which flights carry pets on your dates.

Pickup and delivery distance

Our Toronto pickup or delivery is priced on the driving distance between your home and Pearson cargo.

Breed

Snub-nosed breeds pay a higher airline rate and need a bigger crate. Strong breeds need a reinforced crate.

Time of year

Holiday and winter embargoes and summer heat limits change which flights can carry pets.

Extra services

An airline crate from us, a ride to your vet for the health certificate, and extra pets.

The airline part

How the airlines charge for pet cargo

A pet flying as cargo is priced the way all air cargo is priced: by weight and by volume. The airline weighs your pet in the crate and measures the crate's outside length, width and height. Then it charges on whichever number is bigger:

Real weight: your pet and the crate together, in kilograms.
Volume weight: the space the crate takes in the hold. The outside length x width x height in centimetres, divided by 6,000. That works out to about 167 kg for every cubic metre.

The bigger of the two is called the chargeable weight. It is the industry standard, because a light crate still fills space that the airline could fill with other cargo. For most pets the volume weight is the bigger number, so the crate size drives the price more than your pet's weight.

That is why the right crate matters. It must be big enough for your pet to stand, turn and lie down, or the airline refuses it at check-in. Any bigger and you pay to fly empty space. Snub-nosed breeds need a crate about 10% bigger, and can cost more to fly.

Airline fees for the paperwork, handling and security screening come on top. Our price includes all the airline's charges, so you do not pay the airline separately.

Crate	Outside size (cm)	Volume	Volume weight
100 series (21 inch)	53.3 x 40.6 x 38.1	0.08 cubic metres	about 13.7 kg
200 series (28 inch)	71.1 x 52.1 x 54.6	0.20 cubic metres	about 33.7 kg
300 series (32 inch)	81.3 x 57.2 x 61	0.28 cubic metres	about 47.3 kg
400 series (36 inch)	91.4 x 63.5 x 68.6	0.40 cubic metres	about 66.4 kg
500 series (40 inch)	101.6 x 68.6 x 76.2	0.53 cubic metres	about 88.5 kg
700 series (48 inch)	121.9 x 81.3 x 88.9	0.88 cubic metres	about 146.8 kg

The 700 series is the largest standard airline crate and needs a manual check of the aircraft. Not sure which crate your pet needs? Try the crate size calculator or read how crate sizes work. More on each airline: WestJet pet cargo and Air Canada pet cargo.

No surprises

What is included, and what is not

Included in an air move

Home pickup anywhere in Toronto and the GTA (leaving Toronto)
Pearson cargo check-in, with 60 minutes at cargo
Airline cargo booking, with all airline charges
Airline forms, labels and the air waybill number
Flight tracking and updates for you and the person collecting your pet
Pickup at Pearson cargo and delivery home (coming to Toronto)

Not included

The airline crate, unless you add one from us
Your vet's fee for the exam and health certificate (you pay the vet directly)
The ride to your vet, unless you add it
Pickup or delivery in the other city (someone you choose collects your pet at airport cargo)
The airline's pet fee when you fly with your pet
Tax, tolls and parking

Airline crates

We sell airline crates in every series, from the 100 to the 700. The crate is added to your quote if you need one. It comes fitted to your pet, with airline labels, absorbent bedding, food and water dishes fixed to the door, and cable ties. The size we suggest is always an estimate until we see your pet. More about crates.

Why there is no single fixed price

Two moves on the same route can cost very different amounts. A cat in a 100 series crate, picked up near Pearson, is a different job from a large dog in a 700 series crate picked up in Richmond Hill. Add the airline, the breed rules and the time of year, and one number for everyone would be wrong for almost everyone.

So we price each move from your details. The form asks for your pet's measurements, your address and your dates, and works out the crate, the airline part and the Toronto leg.

Moves we price by hand

Most routes get a price on screen. We price these by hand and reply within 24 hours:

your route or dates need an Air Canada flight, which Air Canada quotes one shipment at a time
your pet is a snub-nosed or strong breed
your pet needs a 700 series crate or bigger
more than two pets are moving
your pet is a bird, reptile or other pet that needs careful temperature control

Local pet taxi rides

Rides in Toronto and the GTA are priced on the driving distance, with a waiting package for vet visits (45, 60 or 90 minutes). Most rides under 60 km get a price on screen, and longer ones get a custom quote. See the pet taxi page.

Taxes

Our prices do not include tax. Sales tax depends on where the move ends, and your quote shows the tax and the total before you book.

Cancellation

Free if you cancel 24 hours or more before pickup.
Half the fare if you cancel between 2 and 24 hours before pickup.
The full fare if you cancel less than 2 hours before pickup, or if nobody is there when we arrive.
Air moves: once we have booked the airline cargo space, or paid a vet fee for you, those amounts cannot be refunded. Your quote lists the terms for your move.

About three minutes

How to get your exact price

1
Your route and dates
Pick the city, the direction and when you want to move. Add your address for the Toronto pickup or delivery.
2
Your pet
Enter the breed and four simple measurements. We suggest the crate size and add one if you need it.
3
Your price
Add your contact details. On most routes you see your price on screen right away, and we email you a copy. For the rest we send it within 24 hours.

Pet shipping costs: questions

How much does it cost to fly a dog in Canada?

It depends mostly on the crate size, which follows your dog's size, then on the route, the airline, the breed and the services you choose. A small dog in a 100 series crate costs much less to fly than a large dog in a 700 series. Fill in our quote form with your dog's measurements and route. On most routes you see your exact price on screen right after you enter your contact details.

What does Air Canada pet cargo cost?

Air Canada prices each pet shipment on chargeable weight: the greater of the real weight of your pet and crate together, and the crate's outside size in centimetres (length x width x height) divided by 6,000, plus airline fees. For most pets, the crate size counts more than the weight. We ask Air Canada for a quote on your dates and send you the full price, usually within 24 hours.

What is the cheapest way to ship a pet within Canada?

Use the smallest crate your pet fits in safely, bring your own airline crate if you already have one, and choose only the services you need. Flexible dates help too, because they give us more flights to choose from.

Is the price per pet?

The flight is per pet, because each pet flies in its own crate unless two small pets from the same home share. Rides are per trip, and extra pets from the same home add a small charge to the ride.

Why is the price for coming to Toronto different?

Leaving Toronto, the price includes pickup at your home and Pearson cargo check-in. Coming to Toronto, it includes pickup at Pearson cargo and delivery to your home. Collecting a pet at cargo usually takes longer than checking one in, so the two directions are priced a little differently.

Is tax included?

No. Tax is added on top, and depends on where the move ends. Your quote shows the tax and the total.

Can my price change after I book?

Only if the facts change. If your pet needs a bigger crate once measured, or the real weight or size is different from what was entered, the airline part changes. Your quote is valid for 7 days and lists the terms for your move.

See the price for your pet

Enter your route and your pet's size. On most routes the exact price shows on screen in about three minutes.