Alberta is officially rat-free and strictly enforces it

The Short Answer

TRUE! Norway rats are designated as pests, and it is illegal to keep them as pets. Alberta is the largest inhabited rat-free area in the world.

The Full Story

Alberta launched its rat control program in 1950 when Norway rats were advancing westward across Canada. The province established a "rat control zone" along its eastern border and has maintained it ever since.

Today, Alberta:

Maintains a buffer zone along the Saskatchewan border
Employs pest control officers who respond to rat sightings
Prohibits pet rats
Conducts public education campaigns

The occasional rat does make it into Alberta (usually via shipments), but the province responds aggressively. Finding and reporting a rat is taken seriously.

Common Misconceptions

Alberta is not literally free of every single rat — occasional infestations are detected and rapidly eradicated along the eastern border with Saskatchewan. The province maintains a 600-km Rat Control Zone along this border. The ban applies specifically to Norway rats, not all rodent species. Pet rats of any species are illegal to keep without a permit, and violations can result in fines up to $5,000.

Actual Legal Text

Under Alberta's Agricultural Pests Act (RSA 2000, c A-8) and the Pest and Nuisance Control Regulation (Alberta Regulation 184/2001), Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) are declared a pest. Section 11 of the regulation prohibits any person from keeping, selling, or purchasing live rats without a ministerial permit, which is only available to research facilities, zoos, or inspectors meeting minimum standards set by the Minister. Landowners and municipalities are required to destroy and prevent the establishment of rats on their property.