Animal Services | Township of Woolwich

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 Applications

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.

Effective January 1, 2023, kennel application fees have changed.

Dog Kennel Fees (2023)
Description	Fee
New or Expanded For-Profit Kennel*	$175.00*
New or Expanded Charitable/Non-Profit Kennel*	$100.00*
Renewal of For-Profit Kennel Licence	$25.00 per dog + $50.00
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.

The operators of the following licensed kennels have authorized the Township to make their information available to the public:

Kennel	Services	Phone	Website
Beastmaster Farm	Boarding	519-635-4195	N/A
Lonsdale Grove Inc.	Boarding, Grooming	519-648-3311	www.lonsdalegrove.com
Moonstone Kennel	Breeding	519-664-2668	www.moonstonekennel.com
Endeavour K9	Boarding, Breeding	519-500-3594	www.endeavourk9.com
Wagtime Kennels	Boarding	519-496-8195	www.wagtimekennels.ca

Please Note: Not all licensed kennels have chosen to make their information available on this page. If you'd like to confirm whether a kennel is licensed, please contact the Licensing Officer.

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.

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.

We strongly recommend against feeding wild animals outdoors. While there are no specific regulations in our by-law regarding this practice, it can lead to several issues.

Loss of Natural Fear: Wild animals may lose their instinctive fear of humans, increasing the risk of human-animal conflicts.
Overpopulation: Providing artificial food sources can lead to overpopulation, resulting in starvation and disease among wildlife.
Property Damage: Attracting wildlife can cause damage to property and may invite unwanted animals.
Dependency on Humans: Animals may become reliant on human food, which diminishes their survival skills and increases risks associated with human encounters.
Risk to Domestic Pets: Feeding wildlife can endanger pets, exposing them to potential harm or disease.

If you choose to feed feral cats and birds, please follow these guidelines to minimize attracting wildlife:

Designated Area: Select a clear, open space away from dense vegetation to minimize attracting wildlife.
Set Feeding Times: Feed animals at specific times to prevent food from being left out for extended periods.
Food Type: Use dry cat food for feral cats and bird feeders designed to restrict access for larger animals.
Feeding Equipment: Utilize elevated bird feeders and promptly remove cat bowls after feeding.
Monitor and Clean: Regularly inspect the feeding area and remove any uneaten food immediately.
Educate Others: Share these practices within your community to promote responsible feeding habits.

Responsible Cat Ownership

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.

Pet owners should ensure their cats are spayed or neutered and kept indoors or supervised when outside. This practice not only protects domestic cats but also helps mitigate the growth of feral populations. If you are struggling to take care of your pet, please consider reaching out to the Humane Society to see if they have any programs and services to keep you and your pet together or put it up for adoption. Do not release domesticated pets to the wild.

Raising awareness about the implications of allowing unfixed cats outdoors is vital. A single pair of cats can have several litters each year, resulting in the birth of 50 kittens. Community efforts can foster responsible pet ownership and support Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) initiatives before stray and feral cat populations grow or impact natural wildlife or neighbours.

The Kitchener Waterloo Stratford Perth Humane Society provides a low-cost TRN program by appointment based on availability. To access their services someone from the community must register the colony, trap the cats and take cats to their facility. More information is available on their website.

There are several volunteer groups that operate in our area to help control the growth of the feral cat population, like New Hope Animal Shelter, Kitchener Stray Cat Rescue and others. These organizations rely on donations and are volunteer-run to help the community.

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.

Know Who to Call

Humane Society

519-745-5615

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.

Ontario Animal Welfare

1-833-9-ANIMAL

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).

Emergency Services

911 or 519-570-9777

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.

Report It

To report injured or dead animals on a Township road or property, report it online. Private property owners are responsible for dead animals on their property.

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.