Animal Services

• 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.

• Avoid letting your pets out unattended and for long periods (even in your backyard)
• When walking, keep dogs on a leash and close by
• Cats should be kept indoors or supervised while outside
• Carry a flashlight at night

If you see an aggressive coyote, follow these tips:

• Stop and pick up small children and pets
• Shout, wave your arms and use whistles
• Back away slowly while remaining calm
• Never run or turn your back on a coyote
• Use hazing techniques such as shaking car keys, popping an umbrella, throwing an object in the direction of the coyote

If the coyote poses a threat to public safety (cornering humans or showing signs of potential rabies), please call 911. Do not call 911 for coyote sightings.

Coyote sightings can increase due to humans intentionally or unintentionally providing a food source. TO prevent coyotes in the area, follow these guidelines:

• Keep pet food and water bowls indoors as food attracts coyotes to your yard
• Keep trash cans covered
• Put garbage out the morning of collection (not the night before)
• Do not allow a large amount of wild bird seed to remain on your lawn as it attracts prey for coyotes
• Keep pets on-leash during walks and indoors at night or enclosed in kennels
• Keep cats indoors
• Do not leave leftover food, garbage or dog feces in public or private outdoor spaces

• Coyote Watch Canada
• Coyote Watch Canada - Coexisting with Coyotes
• Coyote Watch Canada - Coexisting with Coyotes - Frequently asked questions
• Government of Ontario - Preventing and managing conflicts with coyotes
• Government of Ontario - Preventing and managing conflicts with wildlife
• Ministry of Natural Resources - Preventing and Managing Conflicts with Coyotes, Wolves and Foxes
• Ministry of Natural Resources - Feeding Wildlife: Do's and Don'ts

• No Person shall Keep more than four Hens on a lot in any zone, except in a rural zone;
• The applicant or licensee must reside on the property where the Hens are kept;              
• Hen coops shall only be permitted in the rear yard;
• Hen coops and Hen runs shall be maintained in a Sanitary Condition and the coop shall be kept free of obnoxious odours, substances, and vermin;
• Every Hen owner shall ensure that the enclosure is located no less than three metres from any dwelling, shop, or apartment building, and no less than two metres from any adjoining property line;
• Hens must be kept in a locked Hen enclosure from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m;
• Hens must be at least four months old when acquired;
• The sale of eggs, manure and other products associated with the keeping of Hens are prohibited;
• Any leftover feed and manure shall be removed;
• Stored manure shall be kept in an enclosed structure or container such as a compost bin, stored no less than one metre from any adjoining property line and no more than three cubic feet shall be stored at any one time. All other manure not used for composting or fertilizing shall be removed;
• Maximum of one Hen coop, and one outdoor run shall be permitted;
• A hen enclosure shall be a maximum ground floor of nine meters
• Hen coops shall be at least 0.37 m² of floor area per hen, along with a minimum of 0.93 m² per Hen for the Hen run;
• Hen coops and Hen runs shall not exceed three meters in height;
• No Person shall Keep a rooster in any residential zone;
• Home slaughter of Hens is prohibited in a residential zone;
• Deceased Hens shall be disposed of at a livestock disposal facility or through the services of a veterinarian;
• Hens shall be confined to an enclosed Hen coop or Hen run at all times. The free roaming of Hens on the property is prohibited;
• Hen coops shall have adequate ventilation and shall be weather and predator proof;
• Hens shall be provided with appropriate food, water, space and environmental conditions conducive to good health and the opportunity to socialize and engage in fundamental behaviours such as scatching, roosting and dust bathing;
• Feeders and water containers shall be provided and cleaned regularly and disinfected; and
• Feed shall be stored in rodent proof containers and secured at all times to prevent rodents and other animals from accessing it.

• Bird Health Basics Video by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency

• Bird Health Basics fact sheet by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency

• Rodent Control in Livestock and Poultry Facilities by OMAFRA

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 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. 

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

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.