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Animal Services

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Keeping animals in Woolwich is regulated by the Animal Control By-law. If you have questions about this by-law contact By-law Enforcement.

Know who to call
1-833-9-ANIMAL	519-745-5615	911 or 519-570-9777
Ontario Animal Welfare An animal in distress or being neglected. This includes animal cruelty and animal welfare such as animals injured, in pain, sick, suffering or abused, or lack proper care, water, food, or shelter. Starting January 1, 2020, this service will be managed by Ontario Animal Welfare Services, formerly the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA).	Humane Society The Kitchener Waterloo Humane Society provides animal control for Woolwich including lost, found, or at large pets and distress or deceased wild animals on public property. Other services include adopting or surrendering a pet, resources, volunteering, and donations. The Humane Society has an after-hours line for sick/injured animals, dangerous dogs, or Police assistance only.	Emergency Services An emergency: Where a life is in immediate danger or distress such as an animal attack or animal in a hot vehicle. Human medical emergencies involving animals, including dog bites. Non-emergency crimes and illegal activity such as dog or cock fighting rings can be reported to the Waterloo Regional Police non-emergency line.

Dogs, Cats, and Pets

Dogs

All dogs in Woolwich must be licensed each year or within 21 days of moving into the Township.

Dog owners must keep their dogs on a leash in public places other than Township dog parks and remove excrement left by their dog. Dogs who pose a threat to people or animals may be designated dangerous.

Cats and Other Pets

Woolwich Township does not regulate cats or other pets, beyond exotic animals. Exotic wild animals cannot be kept as pets in Woolwich. A full list of restricted animals can be found in our Animal Control By-law.

Dog Tags

The Township’s Animal Control By-law requires that every dog residing in the Township must wear a dog tag when off of the dog owner’s property and must have an up-to-date rabies vaccination.

Dog Tag Licence Fees (2023)
Licence Type	Fee (Before March)	Regular Fee
Spayed or Neutered Dog	$26.00	$41.00
Non-Spayed or Non-Neutered Dog	$37.00	$52.00
Replacement Dog Tag (per tag)	$5.00	$5.00
Service Dogs (with documentation)	$0.00	$0.00

Purchasing Tags

You can buy tags by cash or cheque at the following locations:

Kitchener Waterloo Humane Society (250 Riverbend Drive, Kitchener)
Eldale Vet Clinic (150 Church Street West, Elmira)
Pet Valu (315 Arthur Street South, Elmira)
Breslau Animal Hospital (2057 Victoria Street North, Breslau)

You can buy tags by cash, cheque, or debit at the following Township buildings:

Administration Office (24 Church Street West, Elmira)
Breslau Community Centre (100 Andover Drive, Breslau) - during business hours
Woolwich Memorial Centre (24 Snyder Avenue South, Elmira)

You can also mail a completed copy of the dog tag application form with a cheque for payment to the Township Administration Office to the attention of the Corporate Services department, at the following address:

24 Church Street West
P.O. Box 158
Elmira, ON N3B 2Z6

Cheques should be payable to the Township of Woolwich. Township staff will register your dog and send the tag to you by mail.

All dog owners in Woolwich are required to buy dog tags for each of their dogs annually or within 21 days of moving into the Township. Tags must be purchased each year before March 1 and expire December 31. As of March 1, outstanding dog tag fees will be added to the tax roll with a $15.00 administration fee. Owners must make rabies shot information available to the Township on request.

Dangerous Dog Designations

If you have an interaction with a dog that may be dangerous, report this to the Humane Society.

If you have received a notice that your dog has been designated as dangerous or potentially dangerous, you may appeal this designation at the Dog Designation Appeal Committee within 30 days of receiving the notice.

Dog Kennels

Woolwich licenses kennels to ensure the dogs are safe and well cared for, and to make sure the kennel does not cause nuisance to their neighbours.

Dog Kennel Requirements and Application

Requirements for dog kennels can be found in the Animal Control By-law. Information on kennel licensing and applications are available in the Licensing section of the Applications, Forms, Licences and Permits page.

Dog Kennel Fees

Effective January 1, 2022 kennel application fees have changed.

Dog Kennel Fees
Description	Fee
New or Expanded For-Profit Kennel*	$150.00*
New or Expanded Charitable/Non-Profit Kennel*	$100.00*
Renewal of Class 1 or Class 2 For-Profit Kennel Licence (4-25 dogs)	$15.00 per dog + $60.00
Renewal of Class 3 For-Profit Kennel Licence (26 or more dogs)	$25.00 per dog over 25 dogs + $435.00
Renewal or First Issue of Charitable Kennel Licence	$20.00 per dog (max. $160.00)
Transfer of Kennel Licence to New Owner	$175.00

* in addition to any application fees required regarding On-Farm Diversified Use. For more information, please visit the Applications, Forms, Licences, and Permits webpage.

Livestock

Livestock is generally the responsibility of the owner unless, it is on public property.

When livestock is killed or injured by wildlife, eligible owners can submit an Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program application. More information on the OWDCP can be found below.

Report Dead Livestock on Public Property

To report dead livestock on a Township road or property, you can call Infrastructure Services at 519-669-6041 or report it online. Private property owners are responsible for dead livestock on their property.

Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program (OWDCP)

Through the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program, the Township will pay eligible owners for the cost of livestock or poultry that is killed or injured by eligible predators, as defined by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs.

A full description of the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program, including eligibility requirements, can be found on the Province's website.

For more information, or to report a livestock or poultry attack, please contact the Township's Licensing Officer.

What To Do When You Find Injured or Killed Livestock

To report a livestock or poultry attack, please contact the Township's Corporate Services department as soon as possible.

Important: Please ensure you review and follow the steps outlined on the Ministry's Information for Livestock and Poultry Owners webpage before taking action to ensure your application will be valid, as-per the Ministry's guidelines.

Program Guidelines

Please review the following sections of the Ministry's Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program Guidelines webpage to ensure eligibility:

Program Responsibilities: Owners
Eligibility Criteria: Owners
Eligible Species (Livestock, Poultry, Damage)
Eligible Damages
Disposal or Destruction: Responsibilities
Information for Livestock and Poultry Owners

Applications

To report a livestock or poultry attack, please contact the Township's Corporate Services department as soon as possible.

To apply for the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program, you must have:

A Farm Business Registration Number (FBRN) that is valid at the time the damage or kill occurred
A valid Premises Identification (PID) number for the farm property where the damage or kill occurred
If applicable, a confirmation letter from the Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario (IAPO)

If you do not have a FBRN or a PID, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) may request the missing required information.

Wildlife

We share the Township with many animals that have adapted to our urban environment. Because food and shelter are plentiful, and natural predators are limited, wildlife will continue to live near us. If we learn to share the environment and reduce problems by getting rid of sources of food and shelter on our properties, animals will make their way to a more suitable home.

Wild Animal Resources

We do not offer a service to deal with nuisance or injured wildlife on private property. Residents should contact the Ministry of Natural Resources at 1-800-667-1940 for more information on how to deal with wildlife in urban areas. To find a private, local wildlife control service search "wildlife control" or "wildlife removal" online or in the yellow pages.

Report a Dead Animal

To report injured or dead animals on a Township road or property, you can contact Infrastructure Services staff or report it online. Private property owners are responsible for dead animals on their property.

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