Frederic Serre
The Advocate
With new cases of rabies being reported, the Quebec government is extending its ban on the transportation of certain live wild animals to Oct. 4, while adding 27 municipalities in the Eastern Townships and the Montérégie to its list of regions at risk and subject to the movement ban.
The Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs made the announcement Aug. 6, saying new raccoon rabies cases had been reported in Derby, Vermont, less than 10 kilometres from the Canada-U.S. border. The ban applies to the following species: raccoons, striped skunks, grey foxes, red foxes, as well as coyotes and their hybrids. Under the Act respecting the conservation and development of wildlife, anyone who contravenes the ban is liable to penalties, including fines.
Among the added municipalities targeted by the ban are Austin, Ayer’s Cliff, Barnston-Ouest, Coaticook, Compton, Dixville, East Hereford, Hatley, Magog, Martinville, North Hatley, Ogden, Orford, St. Benoît du Lac, Ste. Catherine de Hatley, Ste. Edwidge de Clifton, St. Herménégilde, Sherbrooke, Canton de Stanstead, Ville de Stanstead, Stanstead-Est and Waterville, as well as Brossard, Châteauguay, Longueuil, Mercier and St. Lambert.
Relocating a nuisance animal, an injured animal or one that appears to be orphaned can contribute to spreading rabies to areas that are currently free of the disease. An animal that appears healthy can carry the virus and develop signs of the disease several weeks, or even several months, after becoming infected. In the event of nuisance situations involving these species, residents must use preventive and deterrent measures.
According to government stats, since December 2024 to Aug. 1, 2025, 43 cases of raccoon rabies have been detected in Quebec, while 116 municipalities in the Eastern Townships and Montérégie will be affected by a vaccine bait distribution from Aug. 6 to Sept. 20, and additional vaccination efforts will be carried out in the Stanstead area.
The ministry is asking residents of the Eastern Townships and Montérégie to take an active part in enhanced surveillance. Citizens — especially those living in affected areas — are asked to report any dead raccoons, skunks or foxes, or any that appear disoriented, injured, unusually aggressive or paralyzed, by calling 1-877-346-6763.