Canada to ban the import of dogs from more than 100 countries, including Russia and Ukraine

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced that as of Sept. 28, 2022, it will ban the importation of commercial dogs from countries with a high risk of rabies into the country.

Commercial dogs may include, but are not limited to, dogs for resale, adoption, fostering, breeding, shows, research and other purposes.

The list of high-risk countries included:

• Russia;

• Ukraine;

• Belarus;

• Kazakhstan;

• Georgia;

• China;

• Philippines;

• Brazil and others;

In those countries, the agency reports, more than 59,000 people die each year from dog rabies, so the new measure is designed primarily to protect Canadians and their pets.

But animal rights activists are concerned about how the innovation will affect dogs facing cruelty in other countries. Huge numbers of homeless animals live on the streets, in danger and starving.

Many Canadian shelters cooperate with other countries to import adoptable dogs in need of rescue and care. This ban puts an end to their activities.

"I think this rule has very, very far-reaching consequences that will be extremely detrimental to dogs around the world," said Camille Labchuk, a lawyer and executive director of Animal Justice.

Volunteer organizations in Canada have banded together and created petition to repeal the ban, offering a reliable system of veterinary care and animal vaccinations.