Rabies Virus

Rabies Virus

The City of Iqaluit would like to remind residents in respect to the Public Health announcement on November 16, 2021 regarding a second fox testing positive for Rabies and the subsequent quarantine of sled dogs within Iqaluit.

The City encourages all residents to do the following:

1. Vaccinate your pets.
2. When walking your pets, please have your pet on a leash and under control at all times. As required under the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw 796 pets must be leashed and under control at all times.
3. Not allow pets to roam at large. Animals are not permitted to be at large, dogs found at large are subject to capture and impoundment, owners who claim impounded animals are subject to a $75.00 impound fee, $20.00 daily care and sustenance and licensing requirements of $55.00 for an unsprayed or neutered animal and $35.00 for spayed or neutered. (Proof of Spay/Neuter must be provide).
4. Report any stray animals.
5. Do not approach any wild animals.

As per the PSA released by Public Health if you have been bitten or scratched by a fox or a dog, go to the health centre and report the incident immediately. If you see an animal behaving strangely, staggering, frothing at the mouth, choking or making a strange noise, avoid the animal and report it to a conservation officer.

Animals with rabies may show a variety of signs, including fearfulness, aggression, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, staggering, paralysis and seizures. Aggressive behavior is common, but rabid animals may also be uncharacteristically affectionate.

If you observe any animal displaying any of these signs, please avoid the animal and contact the appropriate department.

To report an animal running at large, please contact the City of Iqaluit Dispatch at 979-5650.

To report wildlife within the community, please contact the Regional Environmental Health Officer at 867-975-1163 or after-hours, the City of Iqaluit Dispatch.

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For additional information during business hours, please contact: 
Aleksey Cameron
Communications and Customer Service Manager
867-979-5607 | a.cameron@iqaluit.ca