Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw
Engagement has concluded
January 19, 2024 Update
Thank you to those who provided input into Phase 1.
The What We Heard Report is now available.
Phase 2 public engagement is planned for 2024 and additional opportunities to participate will be available in the coming months.
December 19, 2023 Update
The survey is now closed. Thank you to everyone who participated and provided their feedback. Please check back here in the new year for project updates.
December 11, 2023 Update
Pet owners, animal lovers and animal welfare workers are invited to take this online survey until December 18 to provide feedback that will help shape the review and renewal of the City of Edmonton’s 20 year-old Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw.
The survey is gathering Edmontonians’ perceptions and experiences with the current bylaw including what’s working well, where there are areas of concern and any gaps that need to be addressed.
This survey should take less than 10 minutes. We value your input, whether you own pets or not. The survey will close on December 18, 2023 at 11:59pm.
Take the survey here.
November 6, 2023 Update
The City conducted engagement from August 22 to November 5, 2023. All feedback tools on this page are now closed. Many thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and insights with us.
When available, a What We Heard report will be added to this page.
Planning for Phase 2 public engagement is underway and additional opportunities to participate will be available in the new year.
Animals in the city bring communities to life. Pets are important members of many Edmonton families.
The City of Edmonton’s Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw, makes owners responsible for their pets, helps return lost pets to their owners and ensures animals and pets are safe, healthy and a positive addition to the community.
The current bylaw is over 20 years old and needs to be refreshed through a bylaw renewal initiative. A renewal of the Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw will ensure this bylaw continues to reflect the most current animal practices within the city, including animal welfare, population management and husbandry.
The Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw Renewal initiative will also review license conditions, fees, fines and offences to ensure they continue to contribute to public safety and align with public views, emerging trends in animal care, and the safe and healthy integration of animals into our communities.
Share Your Input on the Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw
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You are invited to share your feedback on the Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw Renewal Project as part of the City of Edmonton’s first phase of public engagement. We are actively seeking input for Phase 1 Engagement between Aug. 22, 2023 and Nov. 5, 2023. City will be conducting engagement sessions with key stakeholder groups (by invite only). The public will have the opportunity to share their thoughts via a number of channels including engagement pop up events, surveys, etc.
Tell us more about dogs in the City. Use our Barking Lot to share your thoughts on bylaw regulations for dogs.
Tell us more about cats in the City. Use our Cat-a-logue to share your thoughts on bylaw regulations for cats.
Tell us more about bees in the City. Use our Bees Please section to share your thoughts on regulations for beekeeping.
Tell us more about chickens in the City. Use our Chick-Inn section to share your thoughts about regulations for hens and chicken coops.
Tell us more about rabbits in the City. Use our Rascally Rabbits section to share your thoughts on regulations for rabbits.
Tell us more about any other domesticated animals in the City, including livestock.
How your feedback will be Used
Feedback shared will be used to create a renewed Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw that ensures both pets and people can safely and peacefully enjoy Edmonton neighbourhoods.
January 19, 2024 Update
Thank you to those who provided input into Phase 1.
The What We Heard Report is now available.
Phase 2 public engagement is planned for 2024 and additional opportunities to participate will be available in the coming months.
December 19, 2023 Update
The survey is now closed. Thank you to everyone who participated and provided their feedback. Please check back here in the new year for project updates.
December 11, 2023 Update
Pet owners, animal lovers and animal welfare workers are invited to take this online survey until December 18 to provide feedback that will help shape the review and renewal of the City of Edmonton’s 20 year-old Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw.
The survey is gathering Edmontonians’ perceptions and experiences with the current bylaw including what’s working well, where there are areas of concern and any gaps that need to be addressed.
This survey should take less than 10 minutes. We value your input, whether you own pets or not. The survey will close on December 18, 2023 at 11:59pm.
Take the survey here.
November 6, 2023 Update
The City conducted engagement from August 22 to November 5, 2023. All feedback tools on this page are now closed. Many thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and insights with us.
When available, a What We Heard report will be added to this page.
Planning for Phase 2 public engagement is underway and additional opportunities to participate will be available in the new year.
Animals in the city bring communities to life. Pets are important members of many Edmonton families.
The City of Edmonton’s Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw, makes owners responsible for their pets, helps return lost pets to their owners and ensures animals and pets are safe, healthy and a positive addition to the community.
The current bylaw is over 20 years old and needs to be refreshed through a bylaw renewal initiative. A renewal of the Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw will ensure this bylaw continues to reflect the most current animal practices within the city, including animal welfare, population management and husbandry.
The Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw Renewal initiative will also review license conditions, fees, fines and offences to ensure they continue to contribute to public safety and align with public views, emerging trends in animal care, and the safe and healthy integration of animals into our communities.
Share Your Input on the Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw
|
You are invited to share your feedback on the Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw Renewal Project as part of the City of Edmonton’s first phase of public engagement. We are actively seeking input for Phase 1 Engagement between Aug. 22, 2023 and Nov. 5, 2023. City will be conducting engagement sessions with key stakeholder groups (by invite only). The public will have the opportunity to share their thoughts via a number of channels including engagement pop up events, surveys, etc.
Tell us more about dogs in the City. Use our Barking Lot to share your thoughts on bylaw regulations for dogs.
Tell us more about cats in the City. Use our Cat-a-logue to share your thoughts on bylaw regulations for cats.
Tell us more about bees in the City. Use our Bees Please section to share your thoughts on regulations for beekeeping.
Tell us more about chickens in the City. Use our Chick-Inn section to share your thoughts about regulations for hens and chicken coops.
Tell us more about rabbits in the City. Use our Rascally Rabbits section to share your thoughts on regulations for rabbits.
Tell us more about any other domesticated animals in the City, including livestock.
How your feedback will be Used
Feedback shared will be used to create a renewed Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw that ensures both pets and people can safely and peacefully enjoy Edmonton neighbourhoods.
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Barking Lot
6 months agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Tell us what you think! Share your comments here about:
- what is going well with the way that dogs are managed in the City of Edmonton and
- What could be improved about the way dogs are managed in the City.
This can include the rules surrounding dogs such as:
- Dog walkers and the number of dogs walking at time
- Foster dogs
- Excessive barking
- Animal welfare and responsible dog ownership
Once you leave your comment, other people can like it by clicking the heart symbol, or add a thought in response.
These resources may also get your thoughts going:
Rachelg7 months agoIncrease fines and enforcement for off leash dogs
Uncontrolled off leash dogs can be dangerous. No dog is trained 100%, and when they are not leashed they risk the chance of running into the road or attacking other dogs/pets, humans, and wildlife. No one follows off leash dog signs, we need higher fines in order to deter people from letting their dogs loose in the street.
0 comment2Maria7 months agoPut a restriction on the amount of large dogs a person can have.
Two large dogs are already too many in a house. Especially when the owner doesn’t take them for a walk. The dog that attacked a little dog and killed it in Calgary about two weeks ago was part of a pack of three. These types of living arrangements creates a lot of stress for the animals and promotes aggression.
0 comment1RadKatt7 months agoLandlords charge excessive fees for pet owners-non-refundable deposit on top of damage deposit, plus monthly rent increase.
Wondering if this can be regulated by bylaws somehow because it's unfair and difficult for responsible pet owners.
1 comment3Sean D7 months agoBarking Dog Complaint Improvements.
Currently no matter how long a dog is barking for or how many people complain it goes through the same process and takes forever to resolve. All the owner has to do is say my dog wasn't barking - then it goes to court. I lived behind 2 dogs that barked 18 hours a day for 5 years. Once a complaint is made by one person - the case cannot be escalated by repeated complaints or more complaints by others. I was once told that my issue was already under investigation, I asked for how long and was told 5 months..... that was 2700 hours of barking I had to put up with.....Then I got a court date for a complaint I made over 2 years prior...... If I was playing my stereo too loud the police would come. If a dog barks for 5 years - bylaw officers may never come. The only respite our area received was when the person and his dogs moved away. One dog barking sometimes is something I can put up with, but there has to be a way for problem dogs/owners to be dealt with escalating priority based on repeated complaints, especially by multiple complainants.
0 comment1Super dog mom8 months agoSchool grounds
Out of bounds areas including school grounds should be better educated to the dog owners. Have the signs up that no dogs should be in those areas. Have poop bags at all community leagues for free.
2 comments2 -
Cat-a-logue
6 months agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Tell us what you think! Share your comments here about:
what is going well with the way that cats are managed in the City of Edmonton and
What could be improved about the way cats are managed in the City?
This can include the rules surrounding cats such as:
- Feral Cats
- Roaming Cats
- Cat Colonies
- Animal Welfare and responsible pet ownership
Once you leave your comment, other people can like it (by clicking the heart symbol) or add a response.
Here are some key municipal reference resources about cats:
Rachelg7 months agoAllow ACC to take in lost/stray cats
Every time I've found a stray I've been told that ACC won't take a cat in unless it's dying or dead. They encourage people to just "put it back where you found it". If the animal is not fixed it could then contrinute to our stray cat population. If it is a lost pet it might never find its way home to its owner. I think Edmonton's current approach to lost/stray cats is flawed
0 comment0karen;)7 months agoText and or email reminders for licensing cats and dogs
0 comment2NadC7 months agoThere should be NO free roaming cats.
There should be NO free roaming cats. There are estimated 70,000 feral cats in the city of Edmonton. Intact animals breed and cause more ferals as well as kill birds, squirrels and other native species. Not to mention free roaming animals, dig in gardens and use the whole world as their litter box. Then there is the safety of the animal they could get lost or relocated, cars, other animals (domestic or wild), and people. Life on the street is not an easy life for any animal. We need to clean up the feral cat population and add a bylaw that stops free roaming cats.
0 comment4DanSch8 months agoCat roaming should not be allowed and should be better enforced
We pay pet license fees and yet there is no enforcement of the rules. As an owner of multiple cats, roaming neighborhood cats cause of number of issues to my property. Our cats have an enclosed outdoor patio they can access - other cats will taunt and try to fight through the mesh, as well other cats hunt birds, crush plants, defecate in planters, taunt my dogs, etc. There is no accountability to pet owners that do not follow the Bylaw stating pets should not enter private property. Cats can be wonderful pets and can be kept indoors, in enclosed outdoor spaces, and on leashes and be perfect happy. I would like to see better enforcement from the City on bylaw infractions so that they are actually followed.
2 comments21red8 months agoRoaming cats are the second leading cause of the decline of bird populations.
Birds are facing many threats from climate change to habitat loss. Our Edmonton Animal Control bylaw should at least eliminate the significant threat posed by roaming cats by ensuring that pet cats be kept indoors or in an outdoor enclosure such as a catio.
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Bees Please
6 months agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Tell us what you think! Share your comments here about:
What is going well with the way backyard beekeeping is regulated in the City of Edmonton
and
What could be improved about the way backyard beekeeping is regulated in the City?
This discussion could include the rules surrounding bees such as:
Bee Hives in Backyards
Urban Beekeeping Application Process
Mandatory Education / Training for Beehive Owners
Permit Requirements
Once you leave your comment, other people can like it (by clicking the heart symbol) or add a response.
Here are some municipal resources on beekeeping:
Urban Beekeeping | City of Edmonton
Enessa8 months agoRecipe for successful integration of honey bees in the City of Edmonton with a strong focus on honey bee health and IPM
Select Edmonton beekeepers and educators were invited to participate in the pilot project to work with the City to help develop guidelines for commercial beekeeping before Alvéoles came on the scene. Those chosen to participate are not profiting or monetizing from the industry and are closely working with the City both in choosing sites to participate and using them for the purpose of developing these guidelines. Participation outside of this pilot project is not permitted for safety reasons until these guidelines are established to prevent expansion that could potentially be detrimental to the success of the program. Despite this being made known to Alvéoles, a third party company not local to Alberta seeking to sell beekeeping services to businesses at commercial sites, Alvéoles has persisted with expansion growing their operation to over 87 sites in Edmonton (as mentioned on the Alvéoles website) prior to the completion of these preliminary steps. As discussed in the stakeholder meeting, this poses potential threats to native bees and honey bees in the urban scene when colonies are popping up at a rate that is not in alignment with natural honey bee growth or sustainable.
0 comment1Blake R.8 months agoA simplified permitting process, especially as it relates to registering multiple sites, using Calgary’s recent by-law changes as an example
Currently, the City of Edmonton requires hives to only be located in the rear yard of a property, at least 25 metres away from any public place, including but not limited to playgrounds, sports fields, churches or schools. Hive entrances must be directed away from adjacent residential properties, and hives should be located at least three metres from all property lines where there is an adjacent neighbour, unless the property is separated from the adjacent neighbour by a solid fence or vegetative hedge at least 1.5 metres high. These guidelines might be reasonable, if restrictive, requirements for hives installed on the ground, but they do not seem appropriate for rooftop installations and other low-traffic sites. I would recommend that Calgary’s bylaw requirement of a site plan for each apiary be adopted instead, or that more lenient requirements be established for rooftop and low-traffic areas. Reasonable restrictions create scenarios where beekeepers are more likely to register their hives, and can also easily access proper resources and mentorship to ensure those hives stay healthy. Furthermore, I believe the current neighbour notification letter requirements should not be enforced for rooftop hives and low-traffic sites. Instead, more emphasis should be put on proper hive placement. For reference, Vancouver’s guidelines are excellent.
0 comment2Blake R.8 months agoSpecific to my organization, I would request that Alvéole be added to the accepted list of beekeeping training certifiers.
We have a robust training program for our beekeepers and have already been accepted as certifiers in Calgary and other provinces. We would be happy to provide materials related to our training program and ongoing support network if requested.
0 comment1DustinBajer8 months agoRequire "For-Profit" Beekeeping activities to hols a Business License with the City of Edmonton.
If a beekeeper or beekeeping organization charges for their services, equipment, education, or hive products (wax, honey, etc.), they should be required to hold an active business license with the City of Edmonton. It would be worth determining if the City should require businesses to have liability insurance.
0 comment2DustinBajer8 months agoCap The Number of Active Licenses a Beekeeper or Beekeeping Business Can Hold
As hive numbers increase, so does the spread of disease and pressure on native pollinators. One way to mitigate this would be to cap the "total number" of active beekeeping licenses within the city. The challenge with limiting the "total number" of hives is that hitting the threshold would prevent new beekeepers from entering the beekeeping scene. A cap could also encourage prospective beekeepers to keep bees without a license. A more equitable approach might be to cap the number of active sites that a single beekeeper or beekeeping business can hold at a given time. This would prevent one beekeeper or company from overrunning the city and local beekeeping scene.
2 comments3 -
Chick-Inns
6 months agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Tell us what you think! Share your comments here about:
What is going well with the way that backyard chickens and hens are managed in the City of Edmonton and
What could be improved about the way chickens are regulated in the City?
This discussion could include the regulations surrounding chickens, such as:
Chicken Coops in Backyards
Mandatory Education / Training for Chicken owners
Permit requirements
Application process
Backyard hens and neighbour experiences
Site Requirements
Maximum allowable Hens
Once you leave your comment, other people can like it (by clicking the heart symbol) or add a response.
Here are some additional municipal resources on urban chickens:
Urban Hens Program | City of Edmonton
Urban Hen Keeping Procedures and Guidelines | City of Edmonton
Chickencatlady7 months agoRemove the direct supervision requirement
The requirement directly supervise hens when they are outside of their housing. Structure is silly. I think this should be amended to require that the owners are home and regularly checking on their hens when they're outside. Free-ranging is great for their overall well-being and allows them to engage in a greater range of natural behaviors. With 6 ft fences as a requirement they should not be able to escape from the yard. If unsupervised, why do they require greater supervision than other animals?
0 comment1Vmocanu8 months agoWaste disposal
I end up with too much waste bedding in the winter for the small green bins and every second week pickup. I really wish we could apply for a larger green bin, something similar to the black bins. It’s really difficult to take manure to the disposal centres in my car when excess builds up.
1 comment2Chickincheckin8 months agoPros and cons
No other animal has such a strict license guidelines, there should be a free educational option online if people do not want to pay for in person and wait for a class. Submitting info is great but neighbors should not be anymore involved than they are for other animals like cats and dogs. More chickens would also be helpful for aging out birds and warmth in winter coops. Everyone loves eggs and good disposal of leftover garden greens so it's nice to have a full warm winter coop for them.
1 comment1Vmocanu8 months agoGreater number of hens allowable
If I could recommend changing anything, it would be to allow an increase in the number of hens. 6 is very few for our spacious coops in the winter (for warmth, really need to heat the coop) and as our hens age, they’re very much welcome to stay despite not laying, but we’d need a couple more to have reasonable eggs. The lower number may encourage a lot of people to cull their pets rather than keeping them into retirement. 8 -10 might be a more reasonable number to allow healthy succession cycle and integration of new pullets in pairs which is less stressful.
1 comment2chakolit7 months agoRoosters should be allowed
Roosters should be allowed as long as they are not causing noise concerns. If you make it reportable like barking dogs with a requirement that the person gets rid of their rooster if it causes enough problems. There are many dogs that are way more disruptive with their barking than a rooster would be!
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Rascally Rabbits
6 months agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Tell us what you think! Share your comments here about:
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What could be improved about the way owned rabbits are regulated in the City of Edmonton?
Keep in mind, the bylaw only applies to people who own rabbits, and does not apply to wild rabbits in public spaces.
This discussion could include the rules surrounding rabbits such as:
How to best regulate rabbits and
Letting rabbits outdoors
Once you leave your comment, other people can like it (by clicking the heart symbol) or add a response.
fruitloop18 months agokeep as is
rabbits are not an issue keep things running the same as is
0 comment2Kaiser7 months agoBunnies aren’t the issue here…
As a responsible rabbit parent, I have not had any issues with anyone with my bunny and as far as I can tell, bunnies are not the issue here. The only problems are when people abandon bunnies in parks, green spaces or cemeteries and then they become a problem. Fines should be raised for people who abandon their pets in public spaces.
0 comment0NadC7 months agoLimit the Number of Rabbits a Household can have
There are so many unwanted and abandoned rabbits. The city of Edmonton should limit the number of rabbits a household can have. Also all rabbits should be spayed or neutered. I volunteer with several animal rescues and we are overrun with rabbits (not to mention other animals), but at least with dogs or cats there is a limit a household can have.
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Large Animals (& Other Critters)
6 months agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.This discussion could include these topics:
Livestock in the city
Other animals as support animals
How important is the issue of urban livestock to you?
What about animals not included in the current bylaw?
Once you leave your comment, other people can like it (by clicking the heart symbol) or add a response.
Bravo8 months agoRotating animals
It would be nice to have the ability to see sheep/ goats around the city eating the grass, weeds instead of seeing mechanical equipment clearing/ tiding up. Would also like to see them help out other development locations and not just in the parkland.
1 comment3TARAS-AB7 months agoExotic law changes.
I'm wondering if the Wildlife Act will be looked at when making new laws regarding exotics and other animals. As the provincial government controls a lot of species people can't own. Examples are venomous, alligators, hyenas, large cats, elephants list goes on. The act is very comprehensive for what the public can't own without a permit. Permits are not easy to obtain as you have to be a zoo or accredited education facility. These laws are enforced by fish and wildlife. So resources for controlling these animals are already in place. On top of that. Any illegal animals brought in from another province would fall under federal legislation as well. A lot of by-laws are not made with well-researched information. A lot of the time the provincial legislation is missed, stakeholders are not always involved in certain sectors, and organizations are not involved. We all care about animal welfare. Let's make sure it's fair for the animals that are legal in the province. Looking forward to seeing how the new potential laws are developed with input from the public and stakeholders in the city.
1 comment1DTB7 months agoGiven the large number of coyotes in the neighborhood, it has been recommended that we get a donkey or other ruminant - why not?
Apparently coyotes are deterred by the presence of donkeys, although they don't seem to pay any attention to loud and wildly gesticulating humans.
0 comment0Tweetbiker7 months agoI believe that pet birds/parrots must be recognized more, breeding banned. Promote the adoption of birds needing new homes!
The unbelievable number of escapes..lost..found..surrendered is reprehensible. Out of control breeding has caused this. There are hundreds needing new homes..adopt, don't shop! Those with avian expertise should be consulted in providing the necessary suggestions for these bylaws. There are many things to be considered. They deserve recognition in these bylaws and enforcement needs to be much more strict!
0 comment2Kaiser7 months agoLivestock in the city
What exactly is the problem with allowing people to keep a reasonable number of livestock on their property if they are well kept?
0 comment2
ADVISE
ADVISE
This means the City asks the public to share feedback and perspectives that are considered for policies, programs, projects, or services.
ROLE OF THE PUBLIC
Tell us how we did!
Provide your feedback on digital public engagement activities.
Who is Listening
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Director Animal Care & Park Rangers
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Senior Public Engagement Advisor
Life Cycle
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Phase 1 Public Opinion Research and Engagement
Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw is currently at this stage2023 - Discovering what Edmontonians think about the current Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw
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Phase 2 Public Opinion Research and Engagement
this is an upcoming stage for Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw2024 - Exploring a renewed Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw.
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Bylaw Drafting a New Bylaw
this is an upcoming stage for Animal Licensing and Control BylawIntegrate feedback from public opinion research and engagement to prepare recommendations for City Council readings.
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Implementation - A Renewed Bylaw Goes into Effect
this is an upcoming stage for Animal Licensing and Control BylawPublic education/compliance and changes to internal COE Business Processes.
Read all about it! Animal Documents Hub
- Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw - What We Heard Report (Phase 1) (2.7 MB) (pdf)
- Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw
- Amendment 15
- Urban Beekeeping Guidelines | City of Edmonton
- Urban Hen Keeping Procedures and Guidelines | City of Edmonton
- General Guidelines on Hens Structure
- Responsible Pet Ownership
- Make Sure Your Pet is a Good Neighbour
FAQs
- What is the difference between Animal Care & Control Centre (ACCC) and Edmonton Humane Society (EHS)?
- Why is the Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw being renewed?
- What are some current trends related to animals?
- My doctor wrote me a medical note for an animal for medical reasons. Would this animal be a ‘service animal’ or ‘support animal?’
- What authority does the City of Edmonton have for animal enforcement?
- How does the City of Edmonton define “responsible pet ownership?”
- When might the new bylaw come into effect?
- Will there be an increase in pet licensing fees?
- What are the benefits of licensing your pet?
- Who do I contact if I have questions about this Animal Bylaw Renewal Project?