Criteria for quarantine facilities for commercial dogs less than 8 months of age (breeding, show/exhibition (permanent stay), and resale/adoption end uses) entering Canada by air

AHPD-DSAE-IE-2003-5-3-C
April 11, 2003

Importers of commercial dogs less than 8 months of age under the breeding, show/exhibition (permanent stay), and resale/adoption end uses are required to secure a post-import quarantine facility that has been pre-approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

This requirement applies to imports from all countries entering Canada by air.

All new quarantine facilities must be approved by the CFIA prior to the issuance of an import permit. Previously approved quarantine facilities must be re-approved by the CFIA on an annual basis or anytime there are significant changes.

The CFIA must conduct an on-site inspection before the issuance of an import permit or, if the importer imports on a regular basis, at least once every 3 months.

The complete CFIA approval process for new and annual approvals of quarantine facilities will not be required between importations unless specific issues were noted/reported during previous importations, there have been significant changes to the facility (such as location) or the yearly facility approval has expired.

Importers are responsible for immediately reporting any changes to the quarantine facility to the CFIA.

An import permit will not be issued until the quarantine facility has been approved by the CFIA, including confirmation of the animal capacity and availability of the facility.

Facility location, availability and accessibility

The quarantine facility must:

• be located within a 100 km radius of the first port of entry into Canada.
  • Note for the breeding and show/exhibition (permanent stay) end uses only: The CFIA may consider requests to approve a quarantine facility located more than 100 km away from the first port of entry into Canada. The importer must submit to the CFIA for approval a written contingency plan for the animal(s) should immediate medical attention, quarantine and/or further inspection be required at the time of importation (for example, a letter of guarantee from a veterinary clinic located within a 100 km radius of the first port of entry that they will quarantine and treat the animal(s) if required).
• be available for use from the time of arrival until all the animal(s), which have been imported as a group on one single import permit, are released from quarantine by the CFIA, which could be an extended period of time. The availability of the quarantine facility must be demonstrated to the CFIA by the importer, such as owning the facility, leasing/renting the facility on a long term/extendable basis, or an agreement/consent to use the facility for the duration the quarantine may be required.
• be vacant and available for use prior to the importer obtaining additional import permits, unless another separate quarantine facility is approved for each permit.
• be accessible by the authorized animal care attendant(s) and supervising CFIA veterinarian at all times (in other words, 24 hours/7 days a week).

Facility staff

• The quarantine will be supervised by a CFIA veterinarian. The CFIA will conduct periodic inspections of the animal(s) under quarantine and the quarantine facility to ensure compliance.
• A private licensed veterinarian that will provide any required veterinary care/treatment during the quarantine period must be identified to the CFIA. Veterinary services must be within a reasonable proximity to the first port of entry; reasonable proximity is defined as within 100 km of the first port of entry into Canada. The importer must demonstrate, in writing, that they have obtained the services of a private licensed veterinarian (such as veterinary clinic, mobile veterinary clinic) to provide any required veterinary care/treatment to the quarantined animals, either at the approved quarantine facility or a clinic, and that access to emergency veterinary care (in other words, 24 hours/7 days a week) is available, if required. A model letter for veterinary clinics regarding services has been developed and is available.
• The authorized animal care attendant(s) that will have control of and provide daily care for the animals during the quarantine period must be identified to the CFIA.

Facility security

• The facility should be secure and the building should be lockable.
• The quarantine facility must prevent the escape of quarantined animals (for example, secondary gates/doors, fencing). The kennels/pens shall be constructed to prevent escape (digging out or climbing over).
• The quarantine facility must prevent the entrance of visitors or other unauthorized persons (for example, signage, locks, security system, fencing). Visitors are prohibited, unless accompanied by the supervising CFIA veterinarian. Authorized animal care attendant(s) are not considered a visitor(s).

Facility construction and biosecurity

• The quarantine facility must be sound and in good repair.
• The quarantine facility should be well ventilated.
• The materials used in the construction of the quarantine facility should be able to be cleaned and disinfected.
• Prior to receiving the animals for quarantine and upon completion of the quarantine period, the quarantine facility must be cleaned (no visible organic matter) and disinfected to the satisfaction of a veterinary inspector designated for that purpose by the CFIA.
• All equipment used in the quarantine facility with the quarantined animals (for example, water bowls, leashes, collars, bedding) must be dedicated to the quarantined animals for the duration of the quarantine or be cleaned and disinfected prior to coming into contact with non-quarantined animals. At the end of the quarantine period, all equipment used in the quarantine facility must be discarded or undergo cleaning and disinfection.
• Clothing and footwear worn by people coming into contact with the quarantined animals should be either dedicated to the facility or cleaned and disinfected prior to contact with animals of like or susceptible species.
• Hands should be thoroughly washed or disinfected after handling the quarantined animals.
• The quarantine facility must have an area that can be used for restraining quarantined animals for procedures such as examinations and treatments.
• The quarantine facility must have an area or kennels/pens that can be used to segregate animals for observation.
• The quarantine facility must not permit direct contact between the imported animals and any other like or susceptible species (such as dogs or cats, both domestic and wild).
• The quarantine facility must prevent the entrance of wildlife.
• If the quarantine facility is within a private dwelling, the quarantine must be restricted to a specific area of the home/property located away from visitors and animals, including other family pet(s).

Dog kennels/Pens

• The quarantine facility must have an adequate number of kennels/pens to accommodate the number of animals intended to be imported. An import permit will only be issued for the number of animals that can be appropriately housed in the quarantine facility.
• Each animal must be provided the basic necessities (that is ample shelter, ventilation, food, water and veterinary care, and reasonable protection from heat or cold). As such, the quarantine facility must provide protection from elements (weatherproof) ensuring animals remain clean and dry, protected from harm, and provided a place for eating, drinking, urination, and defecation.
• The quarantine facility must provide access to the outdoors, either through outdoor kennels/pens or being taken outside on a leash in a designated area, to ensure the quarantined animals receive adequate exercise and the opportunity to defecate/urinate.
• If outdoor kennels/pens are used, the construction and design of the fencing must prevent contact between the quarantined animals and other animals of like or susceptible species and wildlife, and prevent escape of the quarantined animals. In the absence of secondary perimeter fencing, any gates in the fencing of outdoor kennels/pens must be lockable. The outdoor kennels/pens must be dedicated to the quarantined animals for the duration of the quarantine and must not be used by other like or susceptible species.
• If the quarantined animals will be taken outside on a leash, precautions should be taken to prevent escape (for example, harness, double leash) and the area used must be dedicated to the quarantined animals for the duration of the quarantine and must not be used by other like or susceptible species.
• Animals cannot be comingled in a single kennel/pen unless they are from the same litter or premises of origin, or were transported to Canada in the same kennel/pens.
• The kennels/pens must be sound and in good repair while ensuring that the animal is provided with adequate space requirements for the breed(s) imported. The animal(s) must have enough room to stand, turn around and lie down, make normal postural adjustments, and carry out normal activities.

Food/Water

• The animals must be provided with food and water that is accessible.
• The quarantine facility must have a source of clean water that is safe for consumption by the quarantined animals and suitable for any necessary cleaning and disinfection.
• Pet food must be stored in a manner that prevents access by susceptible species and pests.

Waste handling/Disposal

• There are no restrictions on waste disposal during the quarantine.
• Any animal which dies during quarantine must be disposed of by a method approved by the CFIA and in compliance with federal, provincial (or territorial) and municipal legislation.

Animals

• Only 1 quarantine group is permitted to be housed in the quarantine facility at one time (this is limited to the number of animals imported on a single import permit).
• Animals requiring specialized medical attention may be transported off the quarantine site under license authorized by the supervising CFIA veterinarian. A second quarantine site must be established to house the animal(s) at the facility of destination (for example, veterinary clinic, referral hospital).
• Any illnesses or deaths must be reported immediately to the supervising CFIA veterinarian.
• Post mortems or additional testing on the quarantined animals may be ordered by the supervising CFIA veterinarian. The dead animals may be licensed to a pathology laboratory in a vehicle that is subject to appropriate cleaning and disinfection upon delivery of the animal at the laboratory. The receiving laboratory must be notified of the quarantined status of the incoming carcass and requested to take the appropriate precautions (dependent on the diseases for which the animals are being quarantined). The quarantine will not be released until the results of all outstanding tests and post mortems are received.

Records

• Clinical records must be kept on any animals requiring veterinary care.
• A record of any mortality and/or morbidity (by microchip number, breed, description) must be kept.
• A log must be kept of any people entering the quarantine facility other than the authorized animal care attendant(s).

Cost

• The importer is responsible for the cost of the quarantine facilities, all necessary equipment, food and bedding, attendant's wages, treatment, veterinary care and any testing or post mortem examinations that are required.