Leaving Canada with pets (dog in cargo, cat in cabin) – need real-world advice

Hi everyone,

I’m preparing to leave Canada soon as my work permit is expiring. I’ve been here for over 10 years, and honestly, this whole process has been overwhelming, especially when it comes to traveling with pets.

I have two pets:

• Dog: Bichon Frise, 9 years old – will need to travel in the baggage/cargo hold
• Cat: Ragdoll, 5 years old – fits airline size and weight limits for in-cabin travel

The stress point is the lack of clear, consistent information. Airline websites, vets, and online forums all seem to say slightly different things, and it’s hard to know what’s actually accurate versus outdated or airline-specific.

I’m hoping to hear from people who have recently gone through this, especially:

• Flying internationally with a dog in the hold
• Flying with one pet in cabin and one in cargo on the same trip
• What paperwork actually mattered at check-in and arrival
• Any airline recommendations or ones to avoid
• Things you wish you knew before flying

This is already an emotional move, and I just want to make sure I’m doing right by my pets and not missing something critical.

Any advice, experiences, or pointers would be hugely appreciated. Thank you in advance.