Travelling with Pets at YVR

What you need to know before you arrive:

Whether you’re travelling with a pet, service animal, or emotional support animal, YVR is committed to ensuring a safe and comfortable experience for everyone in the terminal. Please review the guidelines below to help you plan your journey.

Bringing Pets to YVR

Pets are welcome at YVR when managed safety and responsibly

Key Requirements:

Pets are permitted only in the terminal.

• Pets must be:
• Fully contained in a kennel or
• Secured on a non-retractable leash no longer than 4 ft (1.2 m) and under the care and control of their owner at all times.

Pets must be fully enclosed in a kennel in the following areas:

• Pets are not allowed in food courts or children’s play areas unless fully enclosed in a kennel.
• In the Canada Customs & Immigration Hall, animals are required to remain in carriers at all times until you exit the area.

Pets may be outside their kennels only in public areas of the terminal, while on a leash without blocking walkways, seating, or passenger flow.

Safety Requirements:

• Keep your pet a respectful distance from certified service dogs and police dogs, and obtain the handler's permission before approaching.
• Pets are not permitted on escalators or moving walkways unless they are being carried or secured in a kennel.

Certified Service Animals

Travellers who rely on Certified Service Animals (CSAs) are supported at YVR, and these animals are welcome in all terminal areas.

Requirements

• Must remain leashed, harnessed, or tethered unless this interferes with their trained tasks.
• Must remain under control and behave in a manner consistent with their training
• CSAs may accompany their handler in all public spaces, including restaurants and gate areas.

Emotional Support Animals & Therapy Dogs

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) and therapy dogs are not recognized as service animals under the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR).

At YVR, ESAs must follow all pet rules:

• Allowed only in designated areas
• Must be leashed or kenneled
• Must use pet relief areas for breaks

Pet Relief Areas

YVR provides designated indoor and outdoor pet relief areas. A full list of locations is available here: Animal Relief Areas

Importing an Animal to Canada

Information and guidelines for importing animals into Canada can be found on the Government of Canada website.

Inquiries

Organizations or groups wishing to conduct any animal-related setups, staging, displays, or collection activities within the terminal must obtain prior authorization. Please direct all inquiries to [email protected].