Norway to ban adoption of 'street dogs' from 1 July 2018

Very tragic news for podencos, as many of them are adopted there, particularly through Bev Farmer of Podenco Friends.

The Norwegian Defra, Mattilsynet, just released a statement re import of dogs, what they call “street dogs", defines as dogs from shelters/rescues, dogs without owners, dogs with unknown background.

Main points:

1. These dogs will no longer be legal to commercially import.
2. As a private person, you must be able to document that the dog have been owned by you, and lived with you, for minimum 6 months before entering Norway.

Bascially, this means it is no longer possible to adopt/import a rescue dog from over seas effective from the 1st July 2018

Background to the change

The Storting has commissioned the Norwegian Food Safety Authority to stop the import of street dogs to Norway.

Imports of street dogs cause a significant risk of diseases being introduced to Norway. It is not possible to provide satisfactory health guarantees for these dogs.

Despite repeated warnings from all professional environments for many years, imports have continued. Now the government sets foot down and limits imports.

This is changed from 1 July 2018:

If you are traveling with a former rescue dog to Norway, you must be able to prove that the dog has been in your possession and under your control for over 6 months before entering Norway.

Rescue dogs are no longer considered commercial animals, and therefore you can not use the commercial import rules to collect street dogs abroad.
In practice, this means that it is no longer possible to retrieve street dogs from abroad.

Does not affect regular holiday trips with pets
Regular travel with pets will not be affected as a result of the tightening.

If you buy breeding and working dogs from breeders in the EU, these dogs may be introduced if they are accompanied by documentation showing that they are not street dogs. Such documentation may, for example, be pedigree.

Norwegian dogs followed by a pet passport issued by a veterinarian in Norway will also not be affected by this restriction.

Previously imported street dogs that can be documented have been legally introduced to Norway will also not be affected by returning from foreign stays.

The tightening will also include cats with similar backgrounds as street dogs.

What is considered a rescue dog?

Rescue Dog is a term that includes several types of dogs, including:

Dogs from shelters

Dogs without owners

Dogs with unknown backgrounds

Comments

[David Jon WALTON]

So I saw a puppy whilst on vacation in Greece which at the time was approx 8 weeks old ,I fell in love with the puppy and have made repeated trips over to Greece to be with him and spend time with him.
He is now 8 months old and I wish to bring him home to Norway as My work does not allow me to continue travlling to Greece,
Can I do this and comply with the new rules to be introduced i July 2018 I intend to bring him back with me in August.

[Beryl Brennan]

I can't help you there, David, I'm afraid. I am just publicising the sad news which will affect rescue dogs. It may be that because you have cared for the dog for so many months and you have him privately and not through an association, you may be ok. Bev Farmer of Podenco Friends publicised this rule, some of her rescued podencos have been adopted in Norway. She may be able to help you more. You can email her at podencofriends@hotmail.co.uk. Good luck to you and the puppy.