Animals and pets

Use this page to report an issue, buy a dog licence, register a backyard hen, or learn more about animal and pet rules.

Report an animal issue

The keeping, feeding and treatment of animals is outlined in our animal control bylaw (PDF).

Contact the Humane Society at 519-745-5615 to report:

off-leash or stray pets
a lost/found pet
a dog bite
a dead domestic animal
dead wildlife on public property (no pickup fee)
dead wildlife on private property (pickup fees may apply)

Contact the Province of Ontario at 1-833-926-4625 to report animals that:

are injured, in pain, sick, suffering or abused
lack proper care, water, food or shelter

Contact the Waterloo Regional Police non-emergency line at 519-570-9777 to report:

pet related noise violations
a dog locked in a hot vehicle - have the location, licence plate, make and model of the vehicle to locate and rescue the dog

Buy or renew a dog licence

Dog licences help us reunite dog owners with lost pets. Fees support animal control and leash-free dog parks. Rules include:

all dogs older than 12 weeks must be licensed
a dog must wear the tag on its collar at all times
issue permanent dog tags and require the dog owner to renew the same dog tag number by December 31 each year
early-bird rates apply to new/renewed licenses if received between October 1 and December 31
new and renewed dog licences come with a $20 voucher for Ren's Pets Depot

Buy or renew online

Sign up or log in to our online application.
Apply and pay online. We only accept credit card (online debit not accepted).
As a bonus, those who renew online will receive a $20 voucher to Ren's Pets Depot by email.

Fees for 2021

Renewal before December 31 (early bird fee)

$27.05 for a spayed or neutered
$19.77 for dogs owned by 65+
$44.74 for unsterilized dogs
$39.54 for unsterilized dogs owned by senior citizens

Renewal between January 1 and September 30

$55.14 for spayed or neutered dogs
$44.74 for dogs owned by senior citizens
$72.83 for unsterilized dogs
$66.59 for unsterilized dogs owned by senior citizens
new dog licences purchased during this time will be charged the early bird fee

Replacement tags are $10.40. Service dogs are not charged fees.

Register a backyard hen

In 2021 city council voted to allow backyard hens in Waterloo.

You can register up to 4 hens. The cost is $25.50 and the registration must be renewed every year.

Hen rules and regulations

Hens must be kept:

on residential properties only
with permission of all owners and residents of a property
in compliance with all other city bylaws

Coops or runs must:

be fully enclosed
be set back 1.5 metres from property lines
provide protection from weather and predators
have an accessible dust bath area
lined with straw or shavings
be cleaned daily and disinfected twice a year

Hens must:

be banded with the owner's contact information
have access to an enclosed run area
be disposed of at a livestock facility
not be slaughtered on your property

You're not allowed to sell eggs or any hen products.

Sign up or log in to our online hen registry.
Apply and pay online. We only accept credit card (online debit not accepted).

Download the hen registry form (PDF).
Fill it out and return to city hall by mail, drop box or in person.
In person we accept cash, debit, cheque, money order or credit cards. If using mail or drop box use a cheque or money order. Make cheques payable to the City of Waterloo.

Tips for keeping hens

Owners can reduce the risk of illness by:

washing hands after handling hens
wearing dedicated clothing and shoes
limiting contact with hens
removing wet manure daily
sanitizing equipment

Pests and predators can be avoided by:

storing chicken feed in a sealed raised container
bringing food and water in at night
using hardwire cloth instead of chicken wire (smaller gaps)
digging around the coop to add a concrete foundation or hardwire cloth

The Waterloo Backyard Hens Facebook group can help you connect with other owners. They have information on setting up coops and where to purchase chicks locally.

Dog regulations

Dog licences are required in Waterloo. Other rules include:

keep your dog on a leash
pick up waste and dispose of it properly
- drop it into a dog waste recycling container
- use a compostable bag and bring the waste home to your green bin
dogs over 12 weeks old must be licensed (find section above)
limit of three dogs per household
the dangerous dog bylaw (PDF) relates to dangerous dogs and regulation of pit bulls
Call the Waterloo Region Police non-emergency line at 519-570-9777 to report excessive barking or noise

Dog parks and waste containers

The city has a leash-free dog park at Bechtel Park.

Special dog waste recycling containers are now available at these parks:

Anndale Park
Bechtel Dog Park
Beechdrops Park
Chesapeake Park
Dunvegan Park
Forest Hills Park
Lakeshore Optimist Park
Mary Allen Park
McCrae Park
Moses Springer Park
New Hampshire Park
Old Post Park
Pinery Trail Park
Red River Park
Regency Park
Rolling Hills Park
St. Moritz Park
Vista Hills Park
Westvale Park
Waterloo Park, East
Waterloo Park, West

Compostable bags are not required for use. If there isn't a container at your park, dispose of dog waste at home.

Cat regulations

Cat licences are not required in Waterloo. Keep your cat or kitten in a manner that limits:

offensive odours
noise that may disturb others
straying or roaming
accumulation of feces

Coyotes and foxes

For general concerns about coyotes or foxes, contact the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. These animals may be present in public places across Waterloo, including parks.

To report dead coyotes and foxes, contact the Humane Society at 519-745-5615.

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