RELEASE — On Jan. 1, “paw-sitive” updates to the City’s Animal Bylaw took effect, strengthening measures to elevate standards for animal care in the community and keep residents safe.
“For many people, pets are part of the family,” says Kyle Compeau, Manager of Enforcement Services. “These new measures will clarify responsibilities for pet owners in the community to ensure that everyone, including their pets, feel safe and comfortable in Kingston.”
Updates to the Animal Bylaw include:
- A list that includes all species allowed for domestic ownership;
- New regulations for keeping racing pigeons;
- Additional measures to protect the public from potentially dangerous dogs;
- Banning the tethering of animals on public property during extreme weather events and instituting time limits for unattended tethered animals at other times;
- Prohibiting the advertisement of the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits, to discourage unethical breeding practices;
- Expanding enforcement to permit issuing fines for unlicensed dogs in dog parks;
- Permitting Administrative Monetary Penalties for Animal Bylaw violations; and,
- Expansion of at-large regulations to include Livestock
City introducing Safe Surrender Program
The Municipal Fee Assistance Program (MFAP) has been temporarily expanded to include a Safe Surrender Program. Eligible residents can apply for a voucher of up to $2,000 to assist with costs related to the extraction or removal of the non-permitted species and associated re-homing costs. Veterinary costs would not be covered and a surrender agreement will be required between the owner of the prohibited species and the surrender agency.
The City will assist residents in contacting an appropriate agency to help with rehoming and residents seeking to rehome a non-permitted species through MFAP would not be fined. The Safe Surrender Program will be in place until the end of 2022.
Low-cost spay/neuter clinic: great news for responsible pet owners… news for pets
On Jan. 20, City council approved funding for the Kingston Humane Society (KHS) to establish a high volume/low-cost spay/neuter clinic in Kingston. This additional funding will allow the KHS to purchase additional equipment necessary to conduct safe, high-volume spay/neuter surgeries. This program will be an additional support, in conjunction with the current MFAP spay/neuter voucher program and will provide an additional 240 spay/neuters per year with further dates expected as the clinic progresses. This will significantly help community-wide efforts to reduce pet overpopulation and unwanted animals, ensuring animals can find a home.
The clinic is expected to be in operation within 2022. Residents interested in learning more can call the City’s Customer Experience team at 613-546-0000.
Learn about responsible pet ownership
The City’s responsible pet ownership program provides guidelines for residents to ensure that Kingston pets are happy and healthy.
- License your pet: dogs, and cats within the urban part of Kingston must be licensed. This helps the City to know how many pets are in Kingston and can help you get reunited with your pet if they get lost.
- Spay/neuter your pet: spaying or neutering your pet helps to control the number of animals, keeping pets out of shelters and off the streets.
- Prevent your pet from becoming a threat or nuisance: while you know and trust your pet, others might not. Please be considerate of others when taking your pets out in public and follow the Animal Bylaw.
- Get your pet ethically and from a credible source: Do your research before getting a pet and, when you do, get your pet from a recognized rescue, like the Kingston Humane Society, or a licensed breeder.
Learn more about responsible pet ownership and the Animal Bylaw
Release: City of Kingston
Photo: John Goode (cc)
