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.
On this page
- Dog licences
- Purchase or renew a license
- Report an animal issue
- Coyotes and foxes
- Dog regulations
- Cat regulations
- Fowl
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 |
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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 |
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Fees - updated for October 1 2020 to 2021 dog tag year |
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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