Ban on Pets in Taiwan’s National Forest Recreation Areas Extended to 2028

Taipei: Taiwan's Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) announced on Wednesday that it will extend the existing prohibition on pets, including cats, dogs, and other mammals, in 19 national forest recreation areas. This measure aims to curb the spread of rabies. According to Focus Taiwan, FANCA cited the continuous detection of rabies in wild animals across various regions as the reason for extending the ban beyond its original July 31 expiration date. As of June 30, a report from FANCA indicated that 33 rabies cases had been identified in 2026 within the counties of Miaoli, Nantou, Yunlin, Chiayi, Pingtung, Hualien, and Taitung, as well as the cities of Taichung and Tainan. The restriction will now remain in place until July 31, 2028, affecting recreation areas such as Manyueyuan, Dongyanshan, Lalashan, and Guanwu. This ban was initially imposed in August 2013 after rabies was detected in ferret-badgers, and the agency has since extended it multiple times. However, FANCA noted that pets will be pe rmitted under specific conditions in three national forest recreation areas-Neidong, Chihnan, and Jhihben-along with three plain-level forest parks: Aogu Wetland, Linhousilin, and Danongdafu. The policy allowing pets was first trialed in 2020 at Linhousilin Flatland Forest Park and gradually expanded to other areas in subsequent years. Pet owners wishing to visit these areas must apply in advance and provide documentation confirming their pets are registered and vaccinated against rabies. Additionally, owners must agree to keep their pets leashed, caged, or in a stroller while within the recreation areas or parks. Working dogs, such as search-and-rescue dogs, are exempt from this ban, as they play a crucial role in rescue operations in mountainous regions.