Animal Travel

WestJet assumes no responsibility for the care or feeding of animal while in transit, and so it is important that you prepare your animal for its journey by reading through and following the instructions below. The limits of liability outlined in our Baggage Information page apply to animals 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. Please note: WestJet reserves the right to refuse transport of animals which appear to be aggressive, in distress or unruly, at its sole discretion.

Reserving space for your animal

Contact us: As soon as you have completed your online booking, please contact the Call Centre at 1-888-WESTJET (937-8538) to add your animal to your travel plans.

Preparing your animal for travel

Feed your animal only a light meal prior to departure and provide a quick drink of water before check in. For transborder flights, 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 be able to provide water to your animal without opening the kennel door. Water must be empty at check in. Your animal must be fed and watered in the four hours prior to check in.
Exercise your animal before leaving for the airport. Some airports may require the animal remain in the kennel at all times.

Entrance requirements for animals

Guests taking an animal into or out of any province, territory, or country are responsible for meeting Customs and/or regulatory entrance requirements for their animal.
Animals may be denied entry to another country if they are in poor health, and may be subject to a medical examination. It is important that your animal is in good health for travelling.
Most animals (cats and dogs) on most transborder flights will need a health certificate from their veterinarian as well as proof of rabies vaccine in the last year.
Some provinces regulate the importation of certain types of animals (eg. Pitbulls).
Entrance and documentation requirements are subject to change and may vary depending on your destination. WestJet is unable to keep track of all requirements for all animals, and assumes no responsibility for your compliance with any such requirements. Contact your consulate, embassy or government authority for more information to ensure that your animal will meet entrance requirements for your destination. Please note: if you are taking a round trip, your animal will be subject to re-entry requirements at your country of origin.

	Animals in the cabin	Animals in checked baggage
Service fee per kennel	$50 (each way).	$50 (each way).
Types of animals allowed	Cats, dogs, rabbits, and birds only.	Cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, chinchillas, guinea pigs and hedgehogs only.
Total # of animals allowed per flight	A maximum of four kennels in the cabin will be accepted per flight.	A maximum of three kennels in checked baggage will be accepted per flight.
Total # of animals allowed per guest	One.	Six (in three kennels).
Weight restrictions (animal & kennel combined)	22 lbs (10 kgs).	Up to 100 lbs (45 kgs).
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	Soft-sided kennels only. Designed for airline travel. Leak-proof. The animal must be fully enclosed in the kennel. 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 animal must remain in the kennel at all times. It is recommended that the animal's carrier must be large enough for the animal to comfortably lie down, turn around and stand in its natural position.	Hard-sided kennels only. Designed for airline travel. Your animal must be able to stand up and turn around. Kennels must be leak-proof, and be lined with absorbent material (like a towel) Materials such as straw, grass, or hay are not acceptable materials with which to line the kennel. Kennels must be secure, and well-ventilated. Please remove any wheels from the kennel before check in. Secure the kennel with the device originally intended by the manufacturer, but do not lock the gate. Mark your kennel with directional "this way up" arrows on two sides. If possible, please label the kennel with your animal's name, as it will assist us in caring for your animal. For your animal's safety, we cannot allow: Kennels made of wire mesh Collapsible kennels Welded mesh Kennels with a plastic door.
Quarantine restrictions	Animals are not permitted in the cabin or in checked baggage on flights to/from Barbados, Jamaica and St Lucia, Honolulu, Maui and Kona at any time due to strict quarantine regulations.
Holiday embargos	Not applicable to cabin travel	From December 11 to December 14 and January 7 to January 10, a maximum 2 animals will be accepted in checked baggage. No animals will be accepted in checked baggage from December 15 to January 6, inclusive.
Embargos related to extreme heat	Not applicable to cabin travel	From April 1 to October 31 of each year, animals are not accepted in checked baggage on any flight to or from Las Vegas, Phoenix, Palm Springs, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Plata and Punta Cana, La Romana, Nassau, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta due to possibilities of extreme temperatures.
Check-in requirements	Please ensure you check in a minimum of 2 hours prior to your flight time as you may be required to accompany your animal through additional security screening prior to proceeding through passenger screening. If travelling to or from the United States, we cannot accept your animal for check in more than two hours prior to the scheduled departure of your flight.
Special situations	Pregnant animals animals in heat (estrus) and animals less than eight weeks old should not travel, as stress may affect the animal's health in these special cases. Tranquilized animals : Do not administer any tranquilizer or other medication to your animal before travel without first consulting a veterinarian. Snub-nose (brachycephalic - shortnose) dogs/cats : We recommend you check with your veterinarian prior to travel. Snub-nosed animals suffer from respiratory problems that increase with stress and heat and therefore may not be suitable for travel. Service animals: Please see the section under Special Needs Guests for information. Animals Travelling Unaccompanied: WestJet does not accept animals for travel without a guest accompanying them. Individuals wishing to transport their animal alone must make arrangements through TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES and COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES who meet specific shipping and administrative criteria. Cargo shipments tendered by individuals and non account holders will no longer be accepted. Cargo services may also be used for animals weighing over 100lbs.

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