Animal Control

For by-law and animal control related issues (including injured domestic animals or wildlife) please call the Humane Society of Stratford Perth at 519-273-6600.

For issues related to City swans, please call our Community Services department at 519-271-0250 extension 5244 or 5246 during business hours, or the Stratford Police non-emergency line at 519-271-4147 after hours.

Cases of animal cruelty, abandonment or neglect, can be reported by calling the Provincial Government's 24/7 hotline at 1-833-9ANIMAL (1-833-926-4625).

Every owner of a dog or cat shall register the animal each year with the City or the Stratford Perth Humane Society or its authorized agents and pay the associated fee. 

An identification tag shall be issued at no charge to any Owner of a specialized needs dog, such as a seeing eye dog, or a hearing ear dog or other specialized needs dog or with respect to any dog trained for and actually engaged in law enforcement by any federal, provincial or municipal government agency. 

No person shall keep or harbour or permit to be kept or harboured more than three (3) unaltered dogs or cats on property in the city of Stratford.

For further information, please visit the Pet Ownership page.

Responsible pet ownership is important to ensure that pets, their owners and neighbours can stay safe and happy.  There are five principles to responsible pet ownership:

Principle #1: Provide an identification tag.

An identification tag allows the Humane Society of Stratford Perth to reunite lost pets with their owners.  All dogs and cats in the City of Stratford are required to be licensed and tagged annually. 

In addition to a licence, the Stratford Perth Humane Society offers drop-in microchipping services for just $30.00 per pet. Microchips store your contact information and can be scanned at places like humane societies or vet clinics, ensuring your pet can get home quickly and safely. 

Owners must remember to update their contact information with the Humane Society when they move or change phone numbers.

Principle #2: Spay or neuter your pet.

Responsible pet owners ensure their pets are spayed or neutered.  Not only does spay/neuter surgery prevent dog and cat overpopulation it also makes for happier pets and owners often notice their pets have improved dispositions.

Cats: Neutering reduces or eliminates inappropriate spraying.  Spaying avoids unplanned pregnancies and eliminates female heat cycles.  Spay/neuter surgery also reduces or eliminates certain diseases, infections and cancer of the reproductive system.

Principle #3: Provide training, socialization, proper diet and medical care.

Basic obedience training is the first step to a well-socialized dog.  A responsible owner ensures that their dog does not bite, bark at, threaten or chase other animals, bicycles, vehicles or people. 

When taken to an off-leash park, a dog must be under the owner’s control at all times and respond to voice, sound or sight commands from the owner.

All pets require daily care, feeding, fresh water and exercise.  Responsible pet owners also provide grooming, yearly checkups and vaccinations.

Principle #4: Don’t allow your pet to become a threat or nuisance.

Dogs must be kept on a leash whenever they leave their property, except when walking in a designated off-leash area.  Responsible dog owners take necessary precautions to ensure their dog cannot get out of the yard.

Cat owners should take necessary measures to ensure that cats do not roam freely beyond their owner’s property or cause damage to other properties.

Owners are required to pick up all waste produced by their dog, both on and off their property, as it may cause a health risk if left uncollected. 

Barking must not become a nuisance to neighbours. Proper training, supervision and adequate exercise will help prevent problem barking.

Responsible pet owners do not leave their pets unattended in a vehicle if the weather conditions are too hot or too cold. 

Principle #5: Acquire your pet ethically and from a credible source.

If you think the time is right for you to bring home a dog or cat, consideration must be given that this is a commitment for the lifetime of the pet.  Do your research and know what to expect for food, care, medical costs, training, socialization and exercise for the type of dog or cat you are welcoming into your family.

It is important that you procure your pet from a rescue organization or breeder that is both credible and humane.

For additional information on responsible pet ownership, visit https://www.kwsphumane.ca/

The Humane Society of Stratford Perth

The Humane Society is a leader in animal welfare in our communities, focusing on the responsible treatment of animals through education, compliance, advocacy and care.  The Humane Society of Stratford Perth offers a variety of services including:

1. Surrendering a Pet
2. Lost and Found - call or go online to file a report for a lost pet
3. Canine Obedience Classes
4. Vet Services
   • Spay Neuter Clinics - low-cost spay neuter clinics offered with no income or geography restrictions
   • Trap-Neuter-Return program
   • Microchipping - drop-in microchipping services available two days per week for just $30.00 per pet
   • Cremation Services
   • A Final Resting Place
5. Animal Control
6. Wildlife
7. Adoption

The Stratford Perth Humane Society offers a variety of youth and adult programming to help educate our community on responsible pet ownership (while having lots of fun!).  Check out the programs at https://www.kwsphumane.ca/

Calling all teachers!  As a community we recognize the importance of responsible pet ownership and we want to teach our youth how to be responsible loving pet parents.  If your class or school is interested in learning more, please contact the Stratford Perth Humane Society to see if an educator and furry friend can visit your class.

To report issues of animal cruelty, contact the Province of Ontario's hotline at 1-833-926-4625 or visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/animal-welfare

Background:

The Animal Control Working Group (ACWG) was appointed by Stratford City Council to help the City in its review of Animal Control Bylaw 195-2002.

The initial report considered by Council is available here.

Minutes of the Animal Control Bylaw Review Working Group meetings are available below: 

ACWG minutes August 24, 2016

ACWG minutes January 17, 2017

ACWG minutes February 28, 2017

ACWG minutes April 11, 2017

ACWG minutes October 11, 2017

ACWG minutes November 21, 2017

ACWG minutes December 14, 2017

ACWG minutes January 30, 2018

Recommendations:

At the April 9, 2018 Council Meeting, the following recommendations were adopted:

That cats and dogs may only be offered for sale in Stratford pet stores if they come from registered Humane Societies and/or reputable animal rescue organizations (as defined by the City);

And that cats and dogs may only be offered for sale in Stratford pet stores after they have been spayed or neutered.

That prohibiting the sale of animals at festivals and events (not including recognized adoption events by recognized local animal rescue organizations such as the Stratford Perth Humane Society and Feline Friends) be added to the bylaw.

That the current Animal Control Bylaw remains as it is with respect to the number of pets allowed per household (no more than 3 unaltered cats; no more than 3 unaltered dogs; no limitation to dogs and cats that have been spayed or neutered).

That the current Animal Control Bylaw remains as it is with respect to cats being allowed to roam at large;

And that advocacy for cats being kept indoors be included as part of a public eduction program.

That the consolidated City of Stratford Animal Control Bylaw limit the number of dogs allowed at the Stratford Dog Park to a maximum of two dogs per responsible adult.

That the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies' "Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare" be adopted as part of the City of Stratford's Animal Control Bylaw:

• Freedom from hunger and thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour;
• Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment, including shelter and a comfortable resting area;
• Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment;
• Freedom to express normal behaviour by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company;
• Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.

That the following updates be made to definitions in the Animal Control Bylaw:

That a clearer definition of wildlife be included in the bylaw;

And that a distinct definitions of service animal and therapy animal be included in the bylaw.

That the following be included on the City of Stratford website on a webpage dedicated to Animal Control:

That staff include information on the services provided by the Humane Society on the City's website;

That the Humane Society's number and instructions for how to handle animal emergencies be included on the City's website;

That information on wildlife be included as part of public education on the City's website;

That the two responsible pet ownership documents from Calgary be included on the City's webpage if permission is granted from Calgary.

That the following recommendations of the Animal Control Bylaw Review Working Group be referred to staff for review and analysis if supported by Council:

That microchipping should become the form of cat and dog licensing in the City of Stratford;

That the City investigates covering the cost or subsidizing the cost of the Humane Society surrender fee;

That businesses that board and/or care for animals be subject to licensing requirements;

And that busineses that board animals be required to have a reasonable amount of indoor and outdoor space per animal as defined by the City.

That the City and the Humane Society investigate the initiation of a public education program;

That the following updates/amendments be considered as part of the Animal Control Contract negotiations:

1.1 Include wildlife in the definition of animal;

2.0 Change "Animal Control Services" to "Animal Services;"

2.18 If approved, will have to be changed from ID tags to microchips;

3.2 Revise the wording;

3.4 and 3.9 contradict each other -3.4 says 1 hour; 3.9 says 2 hours; 

3.4 Revise the wording;

3.9 Revise, should not just apply to roads, should apply to any injured animal in the municipality; and would like the response time to be shorter (i.e. - 1 hour instead of 2 hours);

Schedule "A" add the Pound Act and the OSPCA Act.

Education programming/responsible pet ownership programming should also be discussed during negotiations.