Pets

A "Live Animals Handling Declaration" must be completed for a pet travelling in checked baggage. We will provide the live animal declaration form at the check-in counter. Please be prepared with a contact number, destination address and destination contact number.

There are three reasons your pet may not be able to travel with you: holiday, heat and entrance restrictions. Please review all three to identify if this will affect your travel plans.

Holiday restrictions

The following restrictions are applicable for pets travelling in checked baggage due to limited room during heavy holiday travel periods.

Heat and entrance restrictions

• These restrictions apply to travelling with a pet. There are differences when travelling with a service or emotional support animal. Please see service animals for more details.
• Before travelling with your pet in or out of any province, territory or across borders, we strongly recommend confirming the entrance requirements with the consulate, embassy or appropriate government authority. You are responsible for meeting entrance requirements for any province, territory or country you are entering, including the point of departure.
• Pets may be denied entry at your destination (including Canada) if they are in poor health and may be subject to a medical examination. Any costs associated with a medical examination will be at your expense.
• Please view general entrance requirements for guests travelling with pets for more information. Entrance and documentation requirements are subject to change and may vary depending on your destination, the animal's breed and the type of animal travelling (e.g. a pet and a rescue animal can have different requirements).
• Entrance and documentation requirements are subject to change and may vary depending on your destination, the animal's breed and the type of animal (for example, a pet or a rescue animal).
• WestJet assumes no responsibility for your compliance with any such requirements.
• A designation of "does not accept" is applicable to both carry-on and checked baggage. If your destination is heat restricted year-round, your animal may be able to travel in carry-on baggage if all other restrictions can be met.
• If any of the countries on your itinerary include a note to see details, this means there are specific restrictions that must be met in order for your pet to be permitted to travel.

Bird embargoes

• 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.
• When travelling with a bird, an import/export permit may be required and may need to be arranged in advance. You should contact the local country's embassy or consulate to confirm the import/export regulations for pet birds. There are also additional import regulations that require advance arrangements in order to return to Canada or the U.S. with a pet bird.

For bookings made after July 4, 2023, the following brachycephalic (short/snub-nosed) breeds of cats and dogs cannot travel in the baggage compartment because they are susceptible to increased risks of heat stroke and breathing problems when they become stressed or overheated. Any mix of the below dog and cat breeds should be considered brachycephalic and must be booked to travel by Westjet Cargo.

Cats :

• British Shorthair
• Burmese
• Exotic Shorthair
• Himalayan
• Persian
• Selkirk Rex
• Scottish Fold

Dogs :

• Affenpinscher
• Brasileiro
• Brussels Griffon
• Boston Terrier
• Boxer
• Bulldog – (all breeds)
• Bullmastiff
• Cane Corso
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Chihuahua (apple-headed)
• Chow Chow
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• English Toy Spaniel
• Japanese Chin
• Lhasa Apso
• Neapolitan Mastiff
• Pekingese
• Pug - all breeds including the Chinese Pug
• Shar-Pei
• Shih Tzu
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Tibetan Spaniel

For bookings made after July 4, 2023, strong breeds will not be accepted as checked animals. They must be transported in a CR 82 crate and booked by Westjet Cargo

About the container or crate:

A CR 82 crate is made from weld or wire mesh, metal, wood or a synthetic material other than plastic.

The crate door must be made of wire mesh, metal or wood and should have a secure lock that can’t be opened accidentally.

We reserve the right to refuse any animal for transport, including those that exhibit aggressive behaviour and/or cage destruction.

The following breeds* and crossbreeds* (includes crosses between these dogs and other breeds) are classified as strong or aggressive:

• American Bulldog
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Anatolian Shepard
• Bandog
• Cane Corso
• Caucasian Shepherd
• Doberman
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Mastiff (all breeds)
• Pitbull (all breeds)
• Presa Canario
• Rottweiler
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Wolf Dog Hybrids

• Pets are not permitted on flights operated by our code-share and interline partners. WestJet is also unable to accept pets on flights we operate but were booked through one of our partners.
• For your pet's comfort, we recommend considering flights without connections, as well as early morning or late evening flights in the summer and midday flights in the winter.
• A pet may not travel with an unaccompanied minor.
• Pets that are younger than eight weeks old will not be accepted for transport.
• A maximum of two (2) animals, of the same species and comparable in size up to 14 kg (31 lbs.) each, that are compatible, may be shipped in one kennel. Maximum total weight restrictions (animal[s] plus kennel weight) apply. Animals over 14 kg (31 lbs.) each must be shipped individually.
• Pets that appear to be aggressive, unruly or in distress may be denied for transport at our discretion.
• All kennels are subject to approval by WestJet at check in. See the kennel information for carry-on pets or kennel information for "Checked" and "On their own (as cargo)" sections above.
• WestJet assumes no responsibility for the care or feeding of pets while in transit.
• The limits of liability outlined in our baggage claim 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 or companionship, inconvenience, etc. are not compensable.
• The following animal breeds are restricted for travel into or through Ontario, Canada:
• Pit Bull Terrier
• American Pit Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier

For your pet's health and safety, WestJet recommends consulting your veterinarian before reserving travel if your pet:

• Is in heat (estrus), pregnant, or recently given birth.
• Is a snub-nosed breed (brachycephalic or short-nosed). These types of pets suffer from respiratory problems that increase with stress and heat, and may not be suitable for travel in checked baggage.
• Has other medical concerns which may pose a risk during travel (e.g. recently had surgery and is in recovery, or is considered a senior animal).

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

• It is recommended that you acclimate your pet with the kennel long before your travel date. Allow them to learn that the kennel is a safe space. This allows the pet to feel more comfortable and less stressed during travel.
• Your pet must be fed and watered within the four (4) hour period before check-in. Only feed your pet a light meal prior to departure and provide a quick drink of water before check-in. Containers with food and water are prone to spilling during the course of checked kennel-handling and transportation. For the comfort of your pet, WestJet recommends that you empty all food and water containers before transferring the kennel to WestJet during check-in.
• Exercise your pet before leaving for the airport. Some airports may require pets to remain in the kennel at all times.
• It is a requirement to remove your pet’s leash after your pet is returned to the kennel following security screening. In addition, although not required, WestJet advises the collar/vest/harness also be removed.
• If you are travelling with your pet in checked baggage, please ensure you allow adequate time to check in. You may be required to accompany your pet through additional security screening before proceeding through passenger screening. Recommended check-in time for guests travelling with a checked kennel is 120 minutes before domestic flight departures and 150 minutes (depending on your destination) before international flight departures. If you check in less than 90 minutes before your flight's departure, your pet may be denied boarding.
• You should arrive at the boarding gate at least 40 minutes before flight departure. If you arrive less than 10 minutes before departure you will be denied boarding.
• Once checked in, our agents may not be able to take your pet more than 60 minutes before scheduled departure for international flights and 120 minutes before scheduled departure for flights to/from the U.S.

For guests travelling on a WestJet Vacations package, the following information applies in addition to the information listed above:

• Pets are not accepted at all hotels. Please contact the hotel directly for inquiries about pet acceptance.
• Extra charges may apply and must be paid directly to the hotel. Guests wishing to travel with their pets are required to contact us so we can ensure your pet is added to your flight reservation.