The agency announced that it will ban the entry of commercial dogs from countries that it considers high risk for rabies from September 28, which is World Rabies Day. The agency says the ban is necessary to reduce the risk of rabies entering Canada and defines “commercial dogs” as dogs for resale, adoption, breeding, breeding, exhibition or exhibition, research and other purposes. “Canada does not currently have any active cases of rabies, a strain that is different from the rabies commonly found in the wild … However, in 2021, dogs were introduced to Canada with the disease,” she explained. service in a statement issued on 28 June. “The introduction of even one raging dog could lead to transmission to humans, pets and wildlife.” Countries named by the CFIA as high-risk include Ukraine and Afghanistan, which have been heavily affected by the wars. and the Philippines and China, where dogs are at risk of being sold in the meat trade. Animal Justice, a Canadian animal protection group, says the ban will prevent the rescue of vulnerable dogs in these countries by organizations and individuals in Canada. “Many Canadians are willing to adopt dogs, but this general ban will condemn thousands of dogs to wander the streets or be killed in overcrowded shelters instead of finding love homes in Canada,” said Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice. a media bulletin. The team has launched a petition calling on the CFIA to create an exception for animal rescue and humanitarian efforts that will allow animals that can be adopted in Canada. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control added a similar exception to its dog import policy in June and now welcomes dogs from high-risk countries if they meet certain vaccination and quarantine criteria. In its report, Animal Justice claims that the CFIA did not consult Canadian dog rescue services before announcing the ban, and says some of these groups are in danger of closing down if they can no longer facilitate international rescue. One such group, Save a Friend, is working with an organization in Colombia to fund medical care and find shelter for dogs rescued from the streets and high-death shelters there. It operates on the basis of adoption fees and donations. “It is shocking that the CFIA did not consult with the dog rescue community before enforcing this sweeping ban, which could force many organizations to close,” Roxanne Yanofsky, the agency’s director, told a news release. “The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated an already dire animal situation in Colombia, and if this policy is not changed, dogs will suffer and die in even greater numbers.” CTV News contacted the CFIA for comment, but received no response at the time of publication.
