Travelling with your pet

When to consult a veterinarian
How to reserve space for your pet
Entrance requirements for pets
Before your flight
Fees and kennel information
Quarantines
Embargos
Conditions for acceptance
Holiday restrictions
Restrictions related to extreme heat
Limits of liability

1) When to consult veterinarian
WestJet recommends that you consult your veterinarian prior to reserving travel for your pet’s health and safety if they are:

pregnant, in heat (estrus) or less than eight weeks old.
a snub-nose (brachycephalic or shortnose) pet. These types of pets suffer from respiratory problems that increase with stress and heat and therefore may not be suitable for travel.

Additionally, you should not administer any tranquilizer or other medication to your pet before travel without first consulting a veterinarian.

2) How to reserve space for your pet

For your pet’s comfort, we recommend that you consider non-stop or direct flights, and an early morning or late evening flight in the summer and a midday flight in the winter
Space for pets cannot be reserved online. To add your pet to your travel plans, please contact us at 1-888-937-8538 (1-888-WESTJET).
We strongly recommend requesting space for your pet as soon as you have completed your online booking, and a minimum of 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure. Guests who check in without requesting space for their pet 48 hours in advance of departure may not be permitted to travel with their pet because WestJet limits the number of pets permitted per flight. See below for Fees and kennel information. WestJet cannot assume responsibility for pets that are not accepted for travel.
To add a service animal to your travel plans, visit Special needs guests.
Pets Traveling Unaccompanied: WestJet Cargo accepts pets traveling unaccompanied on domestic flights only.

Individuals wishing to transport their pet traveling unaccompanied within Canada must contact WestJet Cargo for rates and information at 1-866-952-2746 (1-866-WJCARGO).

Individuals wishing to transport their pet traveling unaccompanied to a U.S. or international destination must make arrangements through transportation companies and/or commercial businesses and which meet specific shipping and administrative criteria.

3) Entrance requirements for pets

Guests taking a pet into or out of any province, territory or country are responsible for meeting customs and/or regulatory entrance requirements for their pet. Entrance and documentation requirements are subject to change and may vary depending on your destination or breed of pet (e.g.: importation of pitbulls is regulated in some areas).
WestJet is unable to keep track of all requirements for all pets, and assumes no responsibility for your compliance with any such requirements.
Contact your consulate, embassy or government authority for information to ensure that your pet will meet entrance requirements for your destination. Please note: if you are taking a round trip, your pet will be subject to re-entry requirements at your country of origin.
Pets may be denied entry to another country if they are in poor health, and may be subject to a medical examination.
Most pets on transborder flights will need a health certificate from their veterinarian as well as proof of rabies vaccine in the last year.

4) Before your flight

Your pet must be fed and watered in the four (4) hours prior to check in. Feed your pet only a light meal prior to departure and provide a quick drink of water before check in.
For transborder flights, empty food and water dishes should be placed inside the kennel and attached so that they won't move around. In the event of a delay, our ground handlers may provide water to your pet without opening the kennel door.
Exercise your pet before leaving for the airport. Some airports may require the pet remain in the kennel at all times.
Please ensure you check in a minimum of two (2) hours prior to your flight time as you may be required to accompany your pet through additional security screening prior to proceeding through passenger screening.
If travelling to or from the United States, we cannot accept your pet for check-in more than two (2) hours prior to the scheduled departure of your flight.

5) Fees and kennel information

	Pets in the cabin	Pets in checked baggage
Fee per kennel	$50 each way	$50 each way
Types of pets accepted	Cats, dogs, rabbits, and birds only.	Cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, chinchillas, guinea pigs and hedgehogs only.
Total # of pets accepted/flight	Maximum 2 kennels per flight.	Maximum 3 kennels per flight.
Total # of pets accepted per guest	One (1)* *Only one pet is permitted per kennel.	Six (6)* (in three kennels). *A maximum of two pets of the same species (i.e., two cats or two dogs) that reside in the same household will be permitted to travel in one kennel.
Weight restrictions (pet & kennel combined)	22 lb (10 kg)	Up to 100 lb (45 kg)
Size restrictions (per kennel)	16" L x 17.5" W x 8.5" H (40 cm x 44 cm x 21.5 cm)	36" L x 24" W x 26" H (91 cm x 61 cm x 66 cm)
Kennel requirements	Only airline-approved, well-ventilated, secure, soft-sided kennels will be accepted. Duffle bags, gym bags, other non-kennels, or hard-sided kennels cannot be accepted. Kennels taken in cabin must be able to fit under the seat in front of you and your pet must remain in the kennel at all times. Your pet must be able to stand, lie down and turn around in the kennel.	Only airline-approved, well-ventilated, secure, hard-sided kennels with the wheels removed will be accepted. Kennels must be leak-proof, and be lined with absorbent material (like a towel). Materials such as straw, grass or hay will not be accepted. Secure the kennel with the device originally intended by the manufacturer, but do not lock the gate. Kennel must be marked with directional "this way up" arrows on two sides and should be marked with your pet's name. For safety, we cannot allow kennels that: are made of welded or wire mesh are collapsible have a plastic door. Your pet must be able to stand, lie down and turn around in the kennel.

6) Quarantines

Pets are not permitted in the cabin or in checked baggage on flights to/from Barbados, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Honolulu, Maui, Kahului, Lihue and Kona at any time due to strict quarantine regulations.

7) Embargos

Birds of any type may not be imported into the Dominican Republic at any time.
Endangered birds and the remains of extinct birds may not be exported from Mexico at any time.

8) Conditions for acceptance

Your pet must remain in the kennel at all times for safety and operational reasons.
Guests who remove their pet from the kennel while onboard may be banned from travelling with their pet in the cabin on any future WestJet flights.
Pets that appear to be aggressive, in distress or unruly may be denied for transport at the sole discretion of WestJet.

9) Holiday restrictions
The following restrictions are applicable for pets travelling in checked baggage only, as there is limited room due to heavy holiday travel, which can pose a significant health risk for your pet.

December 11 to 14: maximum 2 pets
December 15 to January 6 inclusive: No pets accepted
January 7 to January 10: maximum 2 pets.

10) Restrictions related to extreme heat
The following restrictions are applicable for pets travelling in checked baggage only.

The temperature in the cargo hold will vary based on whether the aircraft is on the ground (outside air temperature would then apply), the duration of the flight, the cruising altitude and the speed.

Extreme heat can pose a significant risk to the health of pets; therefore, we do not accept pets in checked baggage annually from April 1 to October 31 on any flight to or from:

United States (Las Vegas, Miami, Newark, Orlando, Palm Springs, Phoenix)
Mexico (Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Cozumel, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta)
Cuba (Cayo Coco, Holguin, Varadero)
Dominican Republic (La Romana, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, Samana)
Bahamas (Freeport, Nassau)
St. Martin
Turks & Caicos
Bermuda

11) Limits of liability

WestJet assumes no responsibility for the care or feeding of pet while in transit, so it is important that you prepare your pet for its journey.
The limits of liability outlined in our Baggage Information page apply to pets as well. These amounts are not automatically payable but reflect the maximum compensation payable, as each claim is subject to proof of loss.
Consequential damages such as loss of enjoyment, loss of companionship, inconvenience, etc. are not compensable.

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