VWB hosts webinar about what's next for dogs following rabies ban
Skip to Main Content

Vets & animal welfare experts discuss Canadian decision to ban adoptable dogs from countries with high incidences of rabies

Posted Sep 20th, 2022 in Media Releases, News

OTTAWA, ON (September 20, 2022) – In response to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s decision to ban the importation of dogs from other countries at high-risk for rabies, including dogs that could otherwise be available for adoption or purchase, Veterinarians Without Borders (VWB) is hosting a free virtual roundtable discussion to explore what comes next for international animal rescues. This ban will come into effect on Wednesday, Sept. 28, which is World Rabies Day and focused on eradicating dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030.  
 
“VWB is committed to our international partnerships, to make sure they are able to pivot towards spay/neuter projects and vaccination programs,” said Charmaine Brett, executive director of VWB.  “The way forward is to eradicate rabies internationally, so there is no need for bans like this.” 
 
Webinar speakers will include animal and policy experts, Michelle Tuma DVM, (Veterinarians without Borders / Vétérinaires sans frontières – Canada (VWB/VSF), Gregg Tully (Save the Dogs and Other Animals), Kathy Duncan (Humane Canada), and Nina Lozinska from Happy Paw in Ukraine. VWB is currently working on-the-ground with partners in countries such as Ukraine, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, South Sudan, Laos, and Vietnam, which will experience bans on dog importation following this decision.  
 
Details as follows
 
WEBINAR: DOG IMPORT BAN – WHAT’S NEXT FOR CANADA AND THE COUNTRIES FACING A BAN ON EXPORTS? 
 
When: Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. ET 
Where: Online; register here
 
Media Contact  

Charmaine Brett  
Executive Director  
E: Charmaine@vetswithoutborders.ca  
C: +1-613-880-1655  
 
About Veterinarians Without Borders 


Using a One Health approach, Veterinarians Without Borders (VWB) works for, and with, communities in need to foster the health of animals, people and the environments that sustain us. VWB works in Africa and Asia to improve the living conditions of the most disadvantaged rural populations through veterinary and agricultural services, sustainable animal production, training, value chain development and sustainable natural resource management. Additionally, we support remote Northern Canadian communities to improve animal health through temporary spay and neuter clinics, reduce the spread of rabies, and work to create the conditions for long-term, community-led sustainable animal health services. 
 
Learn more at vetswithoutborders.ca 
 
-30- 

Stories From Around The World

VWB North America launches second Animals & Ales Photo Fundraiser Contest this year, in partnership with 2 Canadian breweries & 4 U.S. breweries

VWB North America launches second Animals & Ales Photo Fundraiser Contest this year, in partnership with 2 Canadian breweries & 4 U.S. breweries

Posted Aug 8th, 2025

VWB is launching its second Animals & Ales Pet Photo Fundraiser Contest of 2025, which will unite pet lovers and craft beer enthusiasts across the U.S. and Canada

Read more

VETS Volunteer Voices: Zoonoses, Data, and Muddy Boots in Cambodia

VETS Volunteer Voices: Zoonoses, Data, and Muddy Boots in Cambodia

Posted Jul 22nd, 2025

#VETSVolunteerVoices aims to bring you the stories of our passionate VETS program volunteers from the field. Meet Elise Tessier, an Epidemiology Advisor who spent 10 weeks in Cambodia (March–May 2025) supporting a zoonotic disease risk reduction project with our local partner, AVSF Cambodia.

Read more

VETS Volunteer Voices: From Community Medicine to Calf Care in Kenya

VETS Volunteer Voices: From Community Medicine to Calf Care in Kenya

Posted Jul 8th, 2025

#VETSVolunteerVoices brings you inspiring stories from the field, showcasing the impactful work of our dedicated VETS program volunteers. Meet Dr. Riley Bauman (DVM), an Animal Health Advisor who spent two months in Kenya (April–June 2025), working alongside smallholder dairy farmers and Meru Dairy staff to promote animal health, gender equity, and sustainable livelihoods.

Read more

  • I have seen first-hand the benefits of capacity building and gender empowerment for smallholder livestock farmers, and stakeholders in the livestock sector.
    - Dr. Shauna Richards

Become A Part Of The Big Picture

By supporting Veterinarians Without Borders through donations or volunteering, you become part of the Big Picture solution. 

Volunteer  Donate  

+1(343) 633-0272 Contact