Animals and pets

We issue dog licences, enforce bylaws around animal control and dangerous dogs, and maintain a leash-free dog park at Bechtel Park.

Dog licences

In case of emergency a dog tag can be a lifeline with your dog. They allow us to contact dog owners about animal health and safety concerns and reunite dogs with their families. Licence fees support services such as animal control and leash-free dog parks.

Licence regulations

all dogs older than 12 weeks must be licensed
a dog must wear the tag on its collar at all times
licences must be renewed by December 31 each year
early-bird rates apply to new/renewed licenses if received between October 1 and December 31
licence from previous year is required to receive a new licence (does not apply to puppies)

Purchase or renew licence

Dog licences are now issued with a permanent tag. The licence must be renewed annually but owners will no longer receive a new tag on renewal.

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 $25 voucher to Ren's Pets Depot by email.

Fees - updated for October 1 2020 to 2021 dog tag year

Service type	Fee
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 tag	$10.40
Service dogs	No charge

Report an animal issue

Please visit the KW Humane Society COVID-19 page for service changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.The keeping, feeding and treatment of animals is outlined in our animal control bylaw (PDF).

Contact the humane society at 1-833-926-4625 or 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’s central hotline 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 bylaw enforcement to report:

pet related noise violations

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 or immobile coyotes and foxes for removal, contact the humane society at 1-833-926-4625 or 519-745-5615.

Dog regulations

Dog licences are required in Waterloo. Other tips include:

keep your dog on a leash
dogs over 12 weeks old must be licensed (find section above)
pick up waste
limit of three dogs per household
the dangerous dog bylaw (PDF) relates to dangerous dogs and regulation of pitbulls
contact bylaw enforcement to report excessive barking or noise

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

Fowl (including chicken)

fowl is prohibited unless on land zoned for agricultural purposes, or if fowl was kept on residential property before April 27, 2009 and registered with the city
the number of chickens owned at the date of the enactment may be maintained
chickens cannot be relocated to a new property if the owner moves

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