Canada Upholds Ban on High-Risk Dog Imports

A Canadian federal Court has upheld the country’s ban on importing dogs from high-risk countries, reinforcing efforts to prevent the spread of rabies. The ruling confirms the validity of ministerial orders issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), which prohibit the commercial import of dogs from nations identified as high-risk for dog-variant rabies. These restrictions first took effect in September 2022 and cover dogs imported for resale, adoption, breeding, research, or exhibition

The court’s decision comes after concerns that previous import practices posed a potential threat to public health and domestic animal safety. Canada currently has no cases of dog-varient rabies, but authorities identified incidents of imported dogs carrying the disease, prompting stricter controls. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, making vaccination, health checks, and import restrictions critical safeguards. 

Under the ban, individuals or organisations attempting to bring commercial dogs from high-risk countries must comply with rigorous regulations, including proper vaccination documentation, health certificates, and microchipping. While the rules primarily target commercial imports, personal pet imports may also face increased scrutiny. Animal welfare groups have called for more flexible solutions, such as verified rabies titer testing, to allow safe imports of rescue dogs, but the court emphasized the government’s mandate to protect Canadians from animal-borne diseases. 

The ruling underscores the importance of compliance with international pet import regulations. Pet owners, rescue organizations, and breeders planning to transport dogs across borders must carefully review country-specific requirements, ensure all medical documentation is complete, and anticipate regulatory checks. Canada’s decision reflects a growing global trend toward stricter controls on animal imports to reduce disease risk and protect both human and animal health.