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Animal Control & Licensing

Information Regarding Dogs
Information Regarding Cats

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Information Regarding Dogs

Dog Licensing

Chapter 284 of the City’s Municipal Code requires all dog owners to license their dog(s). The fees are: $30.00 for each dog, $20.00 if you provide veterinary proof that the dog was spayed or neutered.  Please note that proof your dog(s) has been inoculated with a non-expired anti-rabies vaccine required at time of licence purchase. A licence is valid until December 31 of the year in which it is issued and must be renewed every year. Dogs under the age of 12 weeks do not require a licence. There is a maximum of two dogs per dwelling unit.

Licences can be purchased at the Orillia City Centre, 50 Andrew Street South. Please call (705) 325-2313 if you have licensing enquiries.

*As of June 1st, the licence fee for any dog increases to $50.00.

Taking Your Dog Out For a Walk?
All dogs must be on a leash no longer than ten feet in length when off of its owners property and must be maintained under control at all times. Please remember to “Stoop & Scoop.”

Leash Free Dog Zone

The City now has a leash free dog zone which is located at Clayt French Park on Atlantis Drive. There is a limit of two dogs/guardian and dogs must be licensed and vaccinated.

Noise

No owner of a dog shall allow their dog to howl or bark excessively or otherwise become a nuisance. This prohibition is in effect 24 hours/day.

Enforcement

The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is the primary enforcement agency for by-law violations related to dogs. They can be reached at (705) 325-1304.

Information Regarding Cats

Implementation of Trap Neuter Vaccinate Release (TNVR) Pilot Project for Non-owned Cats

Please be advised that between May, 2010 and August, 2010, a TNVR Pilot Project will be running in the City of Orillia in an effort to humanely reduce the cat population in the City. The way the program works is Comfie Cat Shelter (volunteer rescue group) will trap non-owned cats which will be brought to Georgian College to be spayed or neutered. After surgery, the cats recuperate and are then returned to their colony habitat where they live out their natural life, unless the cats are good natured then they are placed out for adoption. There are a number of benefits of a TNVR program which include the following:   

1. Most humane method of reducing non-owned cat populations;
2. Enhances public safety because the cats receive an anti-rabies vaccination;
3. Reduces wildlife predation issues (i.e. cats eating birds, frogs, etc.);
4. Helps reduce the impregnation of owned cats

At present, the pilot project will target 3 cat colonies in the City. Please note that the locations are not being divulged to the public in order to help ensure the success of the program.

Is there a Spay/Neuter Program for Owned Cats?

At present, there is no specific program running for owned cats in the City of Orillia, however, the City encourages cat owners to take advantage of the OSPCA High Volume Spay/Neuter Clinic located in the City of Barrie. The cost for a spay or neuter is approximately 75% less than the standard costs for these surgeries. For more information, please visit www.spayneuter.ontariospca.ca or phone the clinic at (705) 734-9882.

Why Spay/Neuter your Cat?

To help reduce the overpopulation of cats in the City which was identified based on reviewing the excessive number of cat complaints received each year (i.e. running at large, etc.) and the significant number of cats that are housed at the OSPCA shelter. It is clear that based on the current cat population and since cats reproduce at substantially high rates (up to 18 kittens/cat/year), the cat population will not decrease over time unless cat owners do their part by spaying or neutering their cats.

By implementing a TNVR Program and cat owners doing their part to have their cats spayed or neutered, it is anticipated that there will be a considerable reduction in the cat population in 3 to 5 years. This reduction could significantly reduce the complaints received each year and the burden placed on the OSPCA shelter. If you have questions regarding the TNVR program, please contact the By-law Office at (705) 329-7234 or:

Michael Fogarty, Councillor, Ward 3
Chair, Ad Hoc Cat Committee
Email: mfogarty@bell.blackberry.net

Are Cats Required to be Licensed?

At the present time, there is no by-law in the City which requires cats to be licensed.

Cats Running at Large

At the present time, there is no by-law in the City which prohibits cats from running at large. Below are some tips to deter cats from entering onto your property:

1. Plant “Rue herb” (flowering herb) in your garden.

2. Plant “Plectranthus caninus” (coleus) better known as “Scaredy Cat Plant” in your garden.

Both 1 & 2 can be ordered through your local Garden Nursery.

3. Place a clean margarine container with holes punched in the lid, with a cloth in it soaked in household bleach in the area where you want to keep cats out. The odor of the bleach coming through the holes in the container lid is a deterrent.

If you have any questions regarding these tips, please contact the OSPCA Orillia Branch at the number noted below.

Cat Adoption

The City encourages you to consider adopting a cat. If you are interested in adopting a cat, please visit the OSPCA Orillia Branch Adoption Centre located at:

467 West Street North
Orillia, ON  L3V 5G1

Phone: (705) 325-1304
Fax: (705) 325-1027
Email: orillia@ospca.on.ca

Rabies Vaccination

Ontario Regulation 567 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act requires that every owner or person having care and custody of a cat or dog three (3) months of age or older shall ensure that the cat is immunized against rabies. Please ensure you immunize your cat against rabies.

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This website was last modified on August 9, 2010 .