Making pets feel at home on board our flights.
Pet'Air is offered across domestic Canada, United States, Mexico, London Heathrow, Paris, Barcelona and Rome.
Pet'Air
- Caring expertise at every stage
- Brachycephalic (snubnosed) dog breeds are welcome
- Priority booking status
- Priority handling including loading and unloading
- Extensive WestJet network, both domestically and internationally
- Live shipment tracking capabilities
Be Prepared
1. Know where we fly
Check our flight schedule.
2. Gather your pet's information
Name, type of animal, breed, age and weight.
3. Time to book
For domestic Canada Pet'Air bookings, contact our customer service for a quote and create a booking.
For all international imports and exports, contact an IPATA agent or freight forwarder.
A valid credit card confirms your booking. Shipping costs are charged upon booking. Changes or cancellations made up to 48 hours before shipment incur a $25 fee and within 48 hours are non-refundable.
4. Gather the right documents
Please see "Document Requirements' below for guidance.
5. Prepare your pet
Select the the right kennel and prepare your pet for travel.
Review the Kennel guidelines and FAQs below.
6. Drop off your pet at the warehouse of the locations we offer
Document Requirements
1. A complete Shipper's Certificate for Live Animals is a mandatory requirement.
2. A signed Veterinarian’s Certificate (Health Certificate) must be produced in the following circumstances:
- The animal is a brachycephalic breed of cat or dog (or mix thereof)
- The animals are being transported internationally and the shipper determines it is required by the authorities in the countries of transport;
- The animal is between 8 and 12 weeks old;
- The animal may have had surgery, with possible bandages or dressings, including minor modifications like tail or ear docking;
- The animal has been sedated for transport.
Containers and packaging used for the transportation of live animals by air must meet the requirements of the LAR in terms of construction, ventilation, safety, animal welfare and health, feeding and watering.
All Things Kennel
- Kennel Guidelines
- Domestic Kennel Rates
We enforce strict kennel requirements to ensure their well-being throughout the flight.
- Kennel must be clean with no offensive odours.
- Secure with no cracks or damages that risk the structural integrity of the kennel.
- If a container has wheels, they must be removed by the shipper.
- Floor must be leak-proof and covered with a layer of absorbent non-consumable material (e.g., towels).
- Water containers must be non-spillable with outside access for filling
- Ventilation must be on all four sides total surface.
- Kennels with wire roofs are not allowed.
- One of end of the kennel should be be a metal grated door and nothing obstructing the ventilation of the door. Top doors are not permissible. Smaller openings are necessary to prevent access by their noses and paws. IATA recommendation is a maximum of 25 mm x 25 mm (1 in x 1 in) for dogs and 19 mm x 19 mm (¾ in x ¾ in) for cats.
| KENNEL TYPE | APPROXIMATE DIMENSIONS (IN) | APPROXIMATE DIMENSIONS (CM) | RATE PER KENNEL (CAD) | RATE PER BRACHYCEPHALIC KENNEL (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini/Small | 21 X 15 X 15 |
53 X 38 X 38 | 240 | 320 |
| Junior | 27 X 20 X 19 | 69 X 51 X 48 | 275 | 360 |
| Medium | 32 X 22 X 23 |
81 X 56 X 59 | 330 | 430 |
| Large | 36 X 24 X 24 |
91 X 61 X 61 | 380 | 500 |
| Extra Large | 40 X 27 X 30 |
101 X 69 X 76 | 460 | 600 |
| Magnum |
45 X 27 X 33 |
114 X 68 X 83 | 560 | 730 |
| Giant* | 48 X 32 X 35 |
122 X 81 X 89 | 560 | 730 |
*Accepted on all aircraft types except for a Boeing 737 series passenger variance.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, we have specific age limitations in place. We do not accept weaned puppies or kittens younger than eight weeks due to dehydration risks during air transportation.
Two cats or two dogs, each weighing up to 14 kg and of comparable size, can be shipped together in the same container. Mixing of species is not permitted.
We recommend not feeding adult dogs or cats within 6 hours of departure (4 hours for puppies and kittens).
All of our aircraft’s cargo holds are pressurized and dark during flight. Most pets will sleep inflight. Your animal’s kennel will be secured, in a comfortable temperature and placed to provide maximum ventilation.
No. You do not have to travel to send your pet to a destination serviced by WestJet Cargo.
- If you are shipping an animal that is aged 8 to 12 weeks, or it has had recent surgery, you must provide records to go with the animal. The shipper) must comply with all carrier and IATA Live Animal Regulations that include:
- Finalizing the route and any special care required upon making the booking and prior to acceptance;
- Ensuring that containers or kennels provided conform to IATA's Live Animals Regulations;
- Providing a record of any medication given (eg. type of drug, dosage, time given). This information must accompany veterinary documentation and a copy must be affixed to the container;
- Providing a 24-hour phone number on the kennel;
- Advising the receiving party of flight details in order to arrange for immediate retrieval upon arrival at destination;
- Ensuring the animal is fit to be transported by air;
- Provide a kennel that follows the guidelines.
In the event that an unpreventable circumstance (eg. weather) causes a flight to be cancelled or delayed, WestJet Cargo will contact the shipper immediately. For this reason it is very important to provide accurate contact information when making your booking. Please include a 24-hour contact number to make sure we are able to make arrangements in case of an unforeseen event.
- Female dogs and cats in heat or pregnant will not be accepted for travel.
- Tranquilization is not recommended, but if necessary, a notice from the administering veterinarian is required at the time of tender, along with a sedation record.
- WestJet does not restrict the use of collars on dogs or cats being shipped as they will typically include contact/registration information specific to the animal.
- WestJet assumes no responsibility for the care or feeding of Animals while in transit, so it is important that you prepare your dog or cat for its journey.
Other Guidelines
- Comfort Stop Information
- Holiday Restrictions
- Hairless Breed Embargo
- Pets to United Kingdom
- Import Restrictions
- Commitment to Ethical Transport
- Comfort stops may be available at some airports. Please speak to our Customer Service team for more information.
- The Shipper is responsible to pay for planned or unplanned well-being stops, along with potential overnight kenneling fees that may be required during transit.
The following restrictions are applicable for pets travelling as cargo due to limited room during the heavy holiday travel periods.
| Dates | 787 | 737 | Q400 |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 15-17 inclusive |
0 | 2 | 1 |
| December 18-January 4 inclusive |
0 | 0 | 0 |
| January 5-7 inclusive |
0 | 2 | 1 |
Between December 1st, 2024, and March 31st, 2025, the embargo on transporting hairless breeds of Pet'Air (i.e dogs and cats) will be in place. Hairless breeds lack the natural insulation provided by fur, making them more vulnerable to cold-related injuries or fatalities during winter transport.
Hairless Dog Breeds
- African Hairless
- American Hairless Terrier
- Argentine Pila
- Chinese Crested
- Hairless Khala
- Jonangi
- Mexican Hairless
- Peruvian Inca Orchid
- Xoloitzcuintl
Hairless Cat Breeds:
- Bambino
- Donskoy
- Dwelf
- Elf
For individuals arranging transport for pets (i.e. cats and dogs in kennels) to London Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW) and Edinburgh (EDI), it is mandatory to book them as cargo.
This may only be done through the below freight forwarders:
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is implementing a new measure to protect Canadians and their pets, and to reduce the risk of introducing dog rabies (rabies caused by canine-variant viruses) into Canada.
As of September 28, 2022, World Rabies Day, commercial dogs from countries at high-risk for dog rabies will no longer be permitted entry into Canada. Commercial dogs can include, but are not limited to dogs for resale, adoption, fostering, breeding, show or exhibition, research, and other purposes.
Please refer to the CFIA Website for a full list of countries that are considered high-risk for dog rabies.
WestJet Cargo prioritizes animal welfare and ethical transport practices. In alignment with global standards, we have an official policy to not transport non-human primates intended for laboratory research. This policy underscores our dedication to responsible cargo operations and supporting ethical practices worldwide.
