The Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) of Latvia has issued a warning to its residents against acquiring pets such as dogs, cats, and domestic ferrets from Russia and Belarus. This advisory was prompted by a recent case in Germany where rabies was confirmed in a dog imported into the European Union from Russia via a Latvian border control point. Although the animal had all the necessary documentation, including a rabies antibody titration test, the incident underscores significant concerns about the safety of pets being imported from these regions.

PVD has previously reached out to the European Commission to advocate for stringent regulations on the importation of pets from Russia and Belarus. This appeal comes in light of investigations revealing that many animals are being transported with counterfeit vaccination certificates, raising alarm about the integrity of health records. The European Commission responded by deciding that starting from the autumn of 2024, all pet import documentation must include a valid rabies antibody titration test to ensure vaccinations are effective and reliable.

This proactive measure by the PVD aims to protect public health and animal welfare, considering that rabies poses a serious health threat not only to pets but also to humans. The call to action thus serves to highlight the necessity of vigilant animal import regulation to prevent the spread of diseases, which can have dire implications for both animal and human populations in Latvia and beyond.