AC Live

Travel restrictions

Summer restrictions

At any time when temperature is over 29.5 °C, Air Canada Cargo may not be able to accommodate animals.

May 15 to September 30
Due to extreme heat and USDA regulations, the transport of live animals is prohibited or strictly regulated to and from airports in the following cities: Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Houston (IAH) Las Vegas (LAS), Miami (MIA), Orlando (MCO) and Phoenix International (PHX).

Exception: live rodents shipped from Miami; all aquatic life forms and insects for all stations.

Contact Air Canada Cargo for complete details.

Winter restrictions

At any time when temperature is below 7 °C, Air Canada Cargo may not be able to accommodate animals.

December 15 to January 12
North America

Due to high passenger loads over the Holiday Season and in an effort to ensure the safety and welfare of pets during that period, Air Canada Cargo will be embargoing the transport of all cats and dogs within North America (including shipments from breeders, kennels & freight forwarders).

Shipments of Live Animals on direct International flights will still be accepted.
For example: YYZFRA will be accepted while ORDYYZFRA is embargoed

Shipments of all other Live Animals will still be acceptable provided the conditions for transport are met.

An embargo has also been placed on Pets traveling as baggage. Passengers can be referred to the Air Canada website www.aircanada.com for more information.

November 1 to March 31
Because smaller aircraft types cannot offer adequate comfort during colder winter months, live animals cannot be accepted on the following aircraft between the dates indicated at left: Exception: live tropical fish, insects, frogs, worms, bees, live coral rock and rodent species shall be permitted during this period provided packaging meets IATA Live Animal Regulations (LARs), all appropriate container requirements and the shipper has signed a liability waiver form to this effect. Contact Air Canada Cargo for complete details.

Other restrictions

  • Very large containers are not accepted on the following aircraft:
  • It is not recommended to ship toy-sized dogs, puppies and kittens in the following aircrafts:
  • Shipment of females in heat (estrus) is not recommended
  • Females with suckling young and weaned puppies younger than 8 weeks old will not be accepted for air transportation.
  • The United States Transportation Security Administration issued new directives for shipments that are bound for the United States. Customers wishing to transport live animals to or transiting through the United States are required to have an established business relationship with Air Canada Cargo and an active Air Canada Cargo account.