Ban on pets in most national forest recreation areas extended to 2028

Taipei, July 15 (CNA) Taiwan's Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) announced Wednesday that it will continue to prohibit visitors from bringing cats, dogs and other mammals into 19 national forest recreation areas, to help prevent the spread of rabies.

FANCA said in a press release that it is extending the ban beyond its original July 31 expiration date, citing a lack of reduction in the geographic range where rabies has been detected in wildlife.

According to a June 30 report from FANCA, 33 rabies cases in wild animals had been detected in 2026 as of that date, in Miaoli, Nantou, Yunlin, Chiayi, Pingtung, Hualien and Taitung counties, as well as Taichung and Tainan.

The restriction that covers 19 national forest recreation areas, including Manyueyuan, Dongyanshan, Lalashan, and Guanwu, will be extended for two years, until July 31, 2028.

The agency first imposed the ban in August 2013 after several ferret-badgers tested positive for rabies and has extended the measure several times since then.

However, the agency said pet dogs, cats, and other mammals will be allowed under certain conditions at three national forest recreation areas -- Neidong, Chihnan and Jhihben -- as well as three plain-level forest parks: Aogu Wetland, Linhousilin, and Danongdafu.

In 2020, FANCA first allowed pets into Linhousilin Flatland Forest Park on a trial basis. The policy was expanded to five areas in 2022 and to six areas in 2024.

Pet owners are required to apply in advance and provide the required documentation showing their animals are registered and received rabies vaccinations.

Owners must also sign a declaration agreeing to keep their pets on leashes no longer than 1.5 meters in length or in a carrier, cage or stroller while in the recreation areas or parks.

Search-and-rescue dogs and other working dogs performing official duties are exempt from the ban, as they help with rescue efforts when accidents occur in mountainous areas, the agency said.