If you have questions or concerns regarding domestic animals/pets and to report dogs running at large, please call Animal Control at 1-877-979-PAWS (7297) or send an email to Animal Services.

East Gwillimbury (EG) encourages pet owners to be good neighbours by picking up after their dogs. Not only is it the right thing to do, it’s also the law. For the safety and well-being of everyone in the community, littering and illegal dumping are prohibited under the Property Maintenance By-law. Failing to do so may result in a fine of $250.

Animal Care and Control By-law

EG has a consolidated animal control by-law. The by-law covers provisions for kennels, rules related to pigeons and wildlife, backyard hens, setback requirements for livestock buildings, animal care provisions and more. See the Animal Care and Control By-law #2020-085 for more details.

Key Areas of the Animal Care and Control By-law
  • Animal care provisions which require that animals be provided with a clean, sanitary environment and adequate care, including food, water, shelter and veterinary care.
  • For animals kept on a tether (chain, rope or other restraint), the tether must be at least three meters (9.84 feet) of length and meet the needs of the animal, providing unrestricted movement and cannot cause injuries.
  • Working/Livestock Guardian Dog exempt from the dogs running at large restrictions when actively engaged in their duties. These working dogs are an effective way for farmers to manage predator prevention reducing livestock losses.
  • Addition of Kennel and Animal Day Care Centre Licence outlining requirements including the care and housing of animals, number of animals permitted and licensing requirements.
  • Keeping of Pigeons, limit of six (6) on lands zoned residential, and up to thirty (30) on lands zoned residential provided the owner is a member in standing of a recognized pigeon club, provides for set back requirements and the removal of pigeon droppings and disposal in a sanitary manner.
  • List of permitted animals
  • Feeding of wildlife prohibited, excluding songbirds.
  • Addition of backyard hens and apiary regulations.
  • Addition of setback requirements for livestock buildings.

Pet Food Bank

The Town of Aurora launched a pet food bank program for Aurora, EG and Georgina residents in need of temporary pet food assistance. Residents in need can complete the online form at aurora.ca/PetFoodBank. 

Residents can drop off donations to the Joint Operations Centre (229 Industrial Parkway North, Aurora) between Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

All donated food must be sealed and donated before the best before date. Examples of accepted donations include canned food (adult and puppy/kitten), dry food (adult and puppy/kitten), treats, cat litter and litter boxes, toys, leashes and collars, animal clothing and beds, cages, reptile supplies, and pet store gift cards.

For more information on the Pet Food Bank, please visit the Town of Aurora's Website at aurora.ca/PetFoodBank.

Coyotes

Learn more about Coyotes in EG and how to keep safe on our Coyotes page.

More Information

Animal Concerns and Reporting

Wild Animals

If you have a concern regarding wild animals, please contact the Ministry of Natural Resources at 905-713-7400. 

Sick Wildlife

To report injured or sick wildlife please call 1-877-979-PAWS (7297) or send an email to Animal Services.

Distressed or Abused Animals

Concerns about animal distress or abuse can be reported to the Ontario Animal Protection Call Centre at 1-833-9-ANIMAL (1-833-926-4625). See the Government of Ontario page on Animal Welfare for more details.

Dead or Ill Birds

If you see dead or ill birds, please do not touch the birds. Members of the public are asked to report sick or injured birds to Animal Services by email or call 1-877-979-PAWS (7297). Dead wildlife that is found on Town property, including parks, trails, or roads can contact Customer Service by email or call 905-478-4282.

For more information on avian influenza, please visit the Government of Canada’s website.
Dog Licences

Dog licences are $42.30 per dog (seniors 65+ discount is 431.30 per dog). Licences must be purchased by February 28 of each year. Guide/assistive/therapy dogs are required to have valid dog tags, however, there is no fee for these tags. Proof of designation as a guide/assistive/therapy dog will be required at the time of obtaining a dog tag.

To buy your licence(s), please visit the Civic Centre during regular business hours or purchase your dog licence(s) online. 

In the event of a dog tag being lost, a replacement tag may be purchased for $8.70.

If a dog is found without a current dog tag, the owner or person in possession of the dog could be liable to a fine of $350. 
Off-Leash Dog Parks

All dogs must be leashed when off their owner's property. If a dog is found off leash it may be deemed “Running at Large” and charges may be laid on the owner or person who the dog is in the care of.

The Town does not maintain any off-leash dog areas. However, York Region has an off-leash area at their Bendor and Graves Tract at 17858 McCowan Road in East Gwillimbury.

Visit the York Regional Forest page for more details.
Pound Keeper and Livestock Valuation

Pound Keeper

The Pound Keeper shall impound any horse, bull, ox, cow, sheep, goat, pig or other cattle, geese or other poultry, for unlawfully running at large or for trespassing and doing damage, delivered to him or her for that purpose by any person resident in the Pound Keeper's division.

See The Pounds Act, 1990 for more information regarding Pound Keepers.

Please contact the Clerks' Office at 905-478-4282 x3821.

Livestock Valuation

In the event of livestock being killed or injured by coyotes, wolves, or wild dogs, contact the Clerks' Office at 905-478-4282 x3821. Do not remove the carcass until a Town appointed Valuator has attended your property to assess the loss. The Livestock Valuator will file a report with the Town. For more information, contact Customer Service at 905-478-4282.