Animals and pets

Due to an increase in coyote activity, the GeoTime Trail is temporarily closed. For updates on reopening, visit our Trail closures page and learn what to do if you come across a coyote.

Use this page to report an issue, buy or renew a dog licence or register a backyard hen. Learn more about pet care and coexisting with wildlife.

We are now partnering with Docupet for our dog licensing program. Learn how to buy or renew a licence below.

Report an animal issue

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

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 services and outreach. Rules include:

you must license all dogs older than 12 weeks
a dog must wear the tag on its collar at all times
dog licences are valid for one year from the date of purchase or renewal
a fine may apply if your dog is not licensed

Buy or renew a dog licence

Contact Docupet

We are now partnering with Docupet for our dog licensing program. Please contact them if you have questions about buying or renewing a dog licence:

email info@docupet.com
call 1-855-249-1370, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Benefits of licensing your dog

Follow these steps to buy or renew a dog licence

Go to the Docupet Waterloo website. We are partnering with Docupet for our dog licensing program.
Are you renewing? Docupet sent all current dog license holders a sign-in code in mid-November. Please contact Docupet with any questions.
Follow the instructions to either buy or renew a dog licence. Docupet accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Visa Debit or Discovery card.

If you need accessibility accommodations, interpretation services or don't have reliable access to a computer or the internet, you can buy or renew a dog licence in person at the municipal enforcement counter at City Hall, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Annual dog licence fees

Dog licences	New licence and renewal fees	Late renewal fee
Spayed or neutered dog	$33.00	$50.00
Spayed or neutered dog (55+ dog owner)	$25.00	$38.20
Intact dog (not spayed or neutered)	$51.00	$77.00
Intact dog (55+ dog owner)	$51.00	$77.00

Replacement tags are $12.00. We do not charge service dogs.

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 $27.86 and the registration must be renewed every year.

Avian flu confirmed present in southern Ontario

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza, subtype H5N1, in the southern region of Ontario. Avian Influenza is a contagious viral infection that can affect all species of birds (poultry, exotic and pet birds, and wild birds).

Your backyard hens and pet birds could be at risk of catching the bird flu from wild birds which naturally carry influenza viruses. There is no treatment for birds that become infected with the disease. Learn how to protect your flock and identify signs your birds may be sick on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.

The Province of Ontario has also shared some information on protecting domestic flocks.

In rare cases, humans can become infected. Find more information about risks to humans from Health Canada's website.

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.

Report a hen issue

If you have a concern about hens or coops, email municipalenforcement@waterloo.ca or call 519-747-8785.

Register a hen online

Register a hen by mail or in person

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 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

Dog parks

There is a large leash-free dog area at the south end of Bechtel Park.

We're building a new leash-free dog park on the west side of the city — opening Spring 2025. Learn more about the Copper Street dog park on our Engage website.

Dog waste

Two options for disposing of dog waste in Waterloo are:

Use any bag to pick up your dog's poop and deposit it in a poop power container. Most of the container is installed underground to contain the smell. A dog waste removal company transports the waste to a facility where it is converted into energy.
Use a compostable bag and take the dog poop home to your green bin. This method won't make any poop power, but you're still being responsible and diverting it from the landfill! Review information about using a green bin for pet waste on the Region of Waterloo website.

Find dog waste disposal units on a map

Parks with dog waste recycling units

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

Amberwood Park
Anndale Park
Bechtel Dog Park
Blue Beech Square
Blue Springs Park (Forwell Trail)
Bluestream Park
Beechdrops Park
Chesapeake Park
Clair Lake Park
Dunvegan Park
Forest Hills Park
Hillside Park
Lakeshore Optimist Park
Laurelwood Stormwater Management Area
Lookout Park
Mary Allen Park
McCrae Park
Mount Hope Cemetery
Moses Springer Park
New Hampshire Park
Old Post Park
Pineridge Link
Pinery Trail Park
Red River Park
Regency Park
RIM Park (ball diamond parking lot)
Rolling Hills Park
St. Moritz Park
Vista Hills hydro corridor (at trailhead near Buttonbush Street and Ladyslipper Drive)
Vista Hills Park
University Downs Park
Westvale Park
Waterloo Park, East
Waterloo Park, West

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

Feeding wildlife

Feeding wildlife might seem harmless, but it can cause serious issues for both animals and our community. Here's why:

Changes natural instincts: When we feed wild animals, we alter their instincts. They start expecting food from people, leading to more unwanted encounters in our community.
Attracts larger wildlife: Feeding small animals like birds, squirrels, or rabbits can draw in larger wildlife, increasing the chances of unwanted encounters in our community.
Unhealthy human food: Human food is not good for animals. Make sure to properly dispose of food and garbage at home and in parks.

Under our Animal control bylaw, you can't feed wildlife if it causes a nuisance.

Our parks and green spaces offer a natural habitat where animals can thrive. Wild animals don't need help or food from people. Let's all work together to ensure the well-being of our wildlife.

Coyotes and wildlife

We share our community with wildlife, including coyotes. Learn how to protect yourself, your home and your pets from unwanted encounters.

Coyote tips

The Eastern Coyote is an intelligent and curious animal that helps control rodent populations. They travel through local green spaces like parks, trails and riverbanks.

Coyotes are more visible during certain seasons:

winter mating (January to February)
finding a den and rearing pups (April to June)
pups leave the den (September to October)

What to do if you come across a coyote

Keep your distance, and a coyote will likely avoid you. Like all urban wildlife, they're looking for food, water, and shelter. If the coyote is approaching you or in an area that you're not comfortable with (your backyard, a busy park):

do not approach
be big and loud, stand tall, wave your arms, shout (but don't scream), clap your hands, bang pots and pans, and make a lot of noise
keep dogs on a leash
slowly back away; do not turn your back or run (running can trigger a chase instinct)
do not leave food waste in park garbage – it may attract rodents and coyotes
carry a flashlight to scare off coyotes at night
report an aggressive, sick or injured coyote

Protect your property from coyotes

If coyotes visit a neighbourhood, it’s likely due to an available food source. Reduce encounters with coyotes by making changes to your property:

never feed or leave food out for wildlife
store garbage, compost and pet food in a secure place that coyotes cannot access
remove all sources of water and food from your yard, including birdseed and fallen fruit
ensure gaps around and under decks and sheds are closed off with wire screening
use motion sensor lights

Protect your pets from coyotes

While coyotes generally avoid humans, they can pose a risk to pets. To avoid coyote and pet conflicts:

keep your cats inside
keep your dogs on a leash
never let your dog chase a coyote
carry a flashlight at night to scare off coyotes
keep your dogs inside at night
store pet food indoors
do not feed pets outdoors
keep an eye on your pets at all times, even in a fenced yard
clean up after your dog – coyotes are attracted to dog poop

Relocating coyotes is illegal

Reporting coyotes

Keep your distance, and a coyote will likely avoid you:

if a coyote poses an immediate threat to safety, call 911
to report a sick or injured coyote on public property, please contact Coyote Watch Canada, a not-for-profit organization that advocates for positive human and wildlife experiences
to report dead coyotes or wildlife, contact the Humane Society at 519-745-5615

The Ministry of Natural Resources also shares tips for preventing and managing conflicts with coyotes.

Last updated on June 09, 2025

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Animals and pets

On this page

Report an animal issue

Buy or renew a dog licence

Contact Docupet

Register a backyard hen

Avian flu confirmed present in southern Ontario

Dog regulations

Dog parks and waste containers

Dog parks

Dog waste

Cat regulations

Feeding wildlife

Coyotes and wildlife

Coyote tips

Reporting coyotes