Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw
July 2, 2024
The City of Edmonton is renewing the Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw (Bylaw 13145) to promote responsible pet ownership and ensure safe, healthy neighbourhoods.
Public engagement for this project is being conducted in two phases. Phase 1, held from May to November 2023, gathered initial insights. Thank you to those who provided input into Phase 1. The What We Heard Report and Research Summary are now available.
Phase 2 engagement is now underway!
Share your input on the Animal Licensing Purr-mits and Leash Laws (General Licensing and Control) and several other key topic areas. We want to hear from all residents about their experiences and insights regarding animal licensing and control in Edmonton.
The following engagement opportunities are open from July 2 - August 11, 2024:
Complete the Online Survey to provide your feedback
Complete a Paper Survey at one of six dog park or off-leash area locations
Share Your Thoughts on any experiences you have about the current bylaw
Share Your Ideas on dogs barking, cats roaming and pets limits through the ideas tool
Visit Us at any of our community or pop-up events
Learn More about the Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw Renewal Project and how feedback will be used to shape the renewed bylaw.
July 2, 2024
The City of Edmonton is renewing the Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw (Bylaw 13145) to promote responsible pet ownership and ensure safe, healthy neighbourhoods.
Public engagement for this project is being conducted in two phases. Phase 1, held from May to November 2023, gathered initial insights. Thank you to those who provided input into Phase 1. The What We Heard Report and Research Summary are now available.
Phase 2 engagement is now underway!
Share your input on the Animal Licensing Purr-mits and Leash Laws (General Licensing and Control) and several other key topic areas. We want to hear from all residents about their experiences and insights regarding animal licensing and control in Edmonton.
The following engagement opportunities are open from July 2 - August 11, 2024:
Complete the Online Survey to provide your feedback
Complete a Paper Survey at one of six dog park or off-leash area locations
Share Your Thoughts on any experiences you have about the current bylaw
Share Your Ideas on dogs barking, cats roaming and pets limits through the ideas tool
Visit Us at any of our community or pop-up events
Learn More about the Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw Renewal Project and how feedback will be used to shape the renewed bylaw.
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Barking Lot
6 days agoThe current bylaw mentions excessive barking. ‘Excessive barking’ is defined as barking, whining, howling, or noise that is likely to annoy/disturb others.
Here are some factors to consider for excessive barking:
Proximity of the property where the dog resides
Time of Occurrence (am/pm)
Nature and use of surrounding areas
Effect & Impact of the barking
Supporting Evidence (most often video)
What other factors should be considered when deciding whether or not to pursue “excessive barking” penalties?
At what point, in your opinion, should continuous barking (barking, whining, howling, or noise that is likely to annoy/disturb) be considered excessive, offensive or unreasonable to warrant a fine?
For example:
Up to 10 minutes
More than 10 minutes, but less than 30 minutes
More than 30 minutes
Other people can like your comment (by clicking the heart symbol) or add a response.
The following resources may spur more thoughts:
Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw
Looking to provide more feedback? Complete the online survey to provide additional input. The survey should take 10-12 minutes to complete.
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Cat-a-logue
6 days agoThe current Animal and Licensing Control Bylaw, under section 26 (1) and (2), specifies that the owner or any other person having care or control of a cat shall ensure the cat does not enter onto private property other than that of the owner.
Restrictions to cats roaming would likely result in an increased number of cats being admitted to the shelters and possibly euthanized due to a lack of outgoing placement options.
Knowing the potential outcome, what are your thoughts on allowing roaming cats on public and private property?
Other people can like your comment (by clicking the heart symbol) or add a response.
The following resources may spur more thoughts:
Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw
Looking to provide more feedback? Complete the online survey to provide additional input. The survey should take 10-12 minutes to complete.
Rachelg6 days agoRestrict Roaming Cats - Disease & Unsanitary
Roaming cats are disease vectors, both between themselves and humans. Even if they are vaccinated, they can still spread parasites such as worms or toxoplasmosis, which can be particularly harmful to pregnant women, the elderly, and children. Unsupervised cats also urinate/defecate in vegetable gardens or childrens' play areas, which is unsanitary. Why do we fine dog owners if they don't pick up their pets' feces, but not cat owners? It's the same stuff, and all gross.
1 comment2red3 days ago"Cat safety is only one of the reasons why Nature Canada is calling on municipalities to limit free-roaming cats."
From the Nature Canada website...."Call it cat-rovercial, but if you’re a cat owner keeping them indoors is the best way to show them you love them. Compared to indoor cats, outdoor cats only have an average lifespan of five years, while indoor cats can live to see their 20th birthdays! Free-roaming outdoor cats are more likely to be… Hit by cars Killed by chemicals or poison Picked up by animal control Harmed by diseases/infections/parasites from other animals Become lost or trapped Abused by people Get frostbite Be eaten by coyotes, hawks, or foxes Hurt or killed in fights with other cats or wild animals Keeping cats indoors will do more than just keep fluffy safe. Keeping cats indoors reduces cat overpopulation, protects public health, and saves bird lives. Across the globe, we are seeing staggering biodiversity loss. Birds are suffering. Isn’t it worth it to keep your cat safe indoors to help do your part to lessen unprecedented extinctions? "https://naturecanada.ca/news/blog/if-you-love-animals-keep-your-cat-indoors/
1 comment1red2 days ago"Many owners do not know about the danger cats pose to birds and the danger that being outdoors poses to cats."- Edmonton & Area Land Trust
From the Edmonton and Area Land Trust.... "WHAT ABOUT THE SAFETY OF YOUR PET CAT? We know that cats being outside poses a danger to songbirds, but being outside also poses a danger to cats. There are five main dangers for outdoor cats: The first danger is cars. Each year, thousands of cats are killed from being hit by cars. Even experienced outdoor cats can be injured or killed from a vehicle collision. The next danger is getting lost. While many cats have a decent sense of direction, it is still possible for them to get lost and not know how to get home. This is especially dangerous in the winter. The third danger to outdoor cats is other outdoor cats. No matter how mild mannered your cat is, other cats may attack or start a fight with them. Wounds sustained from fighting or struggling prey (like birds) can give cats diseases as well as causing general harm. While we already mentioned cats like to hunt, they can get parasites from uncooked meat,just like we can. Toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which can be easily transferred to humans. Cats typically contract this parasite from their prey, contaminated soil or feces. Toxoplasmosis leads to flu like symptoms, cysts, and neurological disorders. Cats are the primary carrier of rabies among domestic animals as well. Rabies leads to death in both humans and animals if not treated before symptoms show. The last main danger to outdoor cats is wild animals. While humans know that your cat is a valued part of your family, coyotes do not understand this and may view your pet as food. Coyotes and Great Horned Owls are both potential predators of cats, and both of these predators can live comfortably within the city limits. There have been many reports of both of these animals hurting or killing cats in the Edmonton area. The city is as much our home as the coyotes or owls home so we need to take precautions to prevent wildlife-cat interactions." https://www.ealt.ca/blog/catsandbirds?rq=%20cats
0 comment0Rachelg6 days agoRestrict Roaming Cats - Coyotes
Coyotes are drawn deeper into the city by cats. If cat food is left out they will eat it, or they will maul/eat roaming cats if they can catch them. To prevent the habituation of coyotes— which can lead to more attacks on pets and people in the city— cats should be kept safely indoors or supervised when outdoors. Cat carcasses left by coyotes can also attract other scavengers, parasites, or spread disease. It's also just sad to see, I don't like to imagine how unpleasant it must be for cats to be killed in such a brutal way.
1 comment2red3 days ago"Humane organizations in Canada have been discouraging cat owners from providing their cats with free-roaming outdoor access" - AIWC
The Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation states that, "Giving cats unsupervised outdoor access can have significant negative impacts on the surrounding environment and wildlife, especially small birds and mammals. Additionally, it also puts the cat itself in harms’ way though the risk of vehicle collisions and of predation by other animals....cats have been estimated to kill between 100 and 350 million birds annually in Canada, and twenty-three species of birds are at direct risk of becoming vulnerable due to cat predation in this country. Bird species that nest on or close to the ground are especially vulnerable. " "In an indirect way, unsupervised outdoor cats can also have serious impacts on the food chain. For example, every mouse eaten by a cat cannot be eaten by a hawk or another predator in the ecosystem that needs that food to survive or feed their young." "In addition to the safety of native wildlife, staying mostly indoors with only supervised outdoor time (for example, daily walks on a lead) is significantly better for the cat’s welfare too." https://www.aiwc.ca/blog/house-cat-conundrum/
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Pet Limits
6 days agoThe City wants to hear your feedback on pet limits. The current Animal and Licensing Control Bylaw, under section 29 (1) and (2), specifies that no person shall keep or have more than 3 dogs and no more than 6 cats.
What are your thoughts on the current limits?
If a limit should be placed on the total ‘number of pets/animals’ per household, what is a reasonable maximum number of pets (including all species of animals) to be permitted per residential property?
Other people can like your comment (by clicking the heart symbol) or add a response.
Review the current Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw for more information.
Looking to provide more feedback? Complete the online survey to provide additional input. The survey should take 10-12 minutes to complete.
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
Pop-up / Community Events
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July 08 2024
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July 09 2024
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July 10 2024
Public Drop-In Event
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July 24 2024
Dog Park / Off-Leash Area Speakerboard Locations
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July 04 → August 11 2024
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
Contact Information
Send us an email or letter using the contact information below. We will be gathering feedback on Phase 2 until August 11, 2024.
Email: animalbylawrenewal@edmonton.ca
Mailing Address:
Animal Care and Control Centre
13550 163 St NW
Edmonton, AB T5V 0B2
Life Cycle
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Phase 1: Public Opinion Research and Engagement
Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw has finished this stageMay-November 2023 - Discovering what Edmontonians think about the current Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw
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Phase 2: Public Opinion Research and Engagement
Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw is currently at this stageJuly-August 2024 - Exploring a renewed Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw
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Draft: A Renewed Bylaw
this is an upcoming stage for Animal Licensing and Control BylawFall 2024 - Integrate feedback from public opinion research and engagement to draft a renewed bylaw and prepare recommendations for City Council readings
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Implement: A Renewed Bylaw Goes into Effect
this is an upcoming stage for Animal Licensing and Control BylawTBD - Public education/compliance and changes to internal City of Edmonton business processes