On May 19, the City of Edmonton will be implementing its new Animal Care and Control Bylaw 21244.
Writing a New Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw
The City of Edmonton’s Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw 13145 is over 20 years old and requires review and renewal to ensure it continues to reflect the most current animal practices within the city, including animal population management, husbandry and welfare and much more.
Public Safety
The new Animal Care and Control Bylaw introduces heightened restrictions for owners of vicious dogs.
This includes required signage to alert visitors that a vicious dog is present, higher fines (including doubled fines for repeat convictions) and mandatory behaviour training
Any dog involved in an attack will be subject to a scaled system of fines.
Accessibility to Services
Not-for-profit animal rescue organizations have the opportunity to apply for excess animal permits to allow for more animals to receive care in foster homes.
- These animals will require a licence, but the licence fee will be waived
- Seniors and residents who receive income support will have access to discounted licensing fees for any additional pet(s) in their household
Animal Welfare
Increased focus will be put on animal welfare.
Bylaw 21244 aims to protect animals from harm and life-threatening situations, including pets left in vehicles in extreme weather or pets left in a yard without access to shelter.
Leaving animals unattended in potentially life-threatening situations could result in a fine.
A new addition to the bylaw is also the requirement to ensure that when travelling with your animal, it is secured inside the vehicle. If an animal is not secured in the bed of a pickup truck or a flatbed, the owner could be fined.
Licensing and Urban Farming
Pet licence fees will increase by $1:
- $23 for spayed or neutered cat
- $38 for spayed or neutered dog
- $78 for a non-spayed or neutered cat or dog
With growing interest in urban agriculture, the bylaw expands on the Urban Livestock section, providing clear regulations and licensing expectations for backyard hens, bees and rabbits.
It also introduces a limitation on the number of rabbits for 1 household to 4, as well as requirements for outdoor enclosures.
Licence Your Pet
A City of Edmonton pet licence is mandatory for all cats and dogs over 6 months of age and remains the best tool to ensure your pet is reunited with you if they ever get lost. It also includes a microchip, which provides additional security for you and your pets.
Purchase/Renew Licence Online Learn More About Pet Licensing
The Purpose of the Bylaw
Animals in the city bring communities to life and pets are important members of many Edmonton families.
The Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw establishes a system of rules and definitions with respect to animals within the City. It helps clarify what animals can and cannot be kept as pets and what regulations pet owners must follow in caring for them.
It also regulates animals that can be kept for urban farming purposes and outlines fees, fines for infractions and how to manage stray populations.