Animals - FAQ

My neighbour's dog barks all the time. What can I do about it?

If you are comfortable doing so, try talking with your neighbour about the problem. They may simply be unaware that their dog barks when they are away from home.

The next step is to call 3-1-1 to lodge a complaint. The barking dog's owner will be sent a letter stating that a complaint was made. You will also be sent a letter containing a log sheet to record the incidents of barking that disturb you. After you send the log back to Animal & Bylaw Services, an officer will visit the dog's owner.

Why does my dog need to be on a leash?

Calgary is an on leash city. Dogs can be off leash on their owner's property, or when in an off leash area that is clearly designated by signs.

The Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw 23M2006 states that dogs must be under the control of their owners at all times. On sidewalks, pathways and in all other public places, the dog must be on a leash that is no longer than 2 metres in length. This helps to protect other people and animals. This will also help protect your dog from unforeseen hazards such as cars, unfriendly dogs or coyotes.

The City has many off leash areas created for you and your dog to enjoy. Even though dogs are allowed off leash in these spaces, they must still be under their owner's control. This means the dogs must be within the owners sight and able to respond to their owner's sound or visual commands.

The owner of a dog who is not under control in an off leash area may face a $100 fine.

My dog's licence tag was lost. Do I have to get another one? If so, how much is it?

Your dog must be wearing his licence tag at all times when off your property. If the tag gets lost, you can get a replacement tag for $5 by:

- Visiting the Animal Services Centre at 2201 Portland Street S.E. [Monday to Friday
  from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
  (closed on statutory holidays)]. 
  or
- Visiting City Hall Cashiers, 3rd floor of 800 Macleod Trail S.E.(Monday to Friday
  from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) where you can pay the $5 fee with cash or debit.
  or
- Contacting 311 during business hours (see above) to get transferred to
  the Animal & Bylaw Services licensing department. Be ready to give them
  a VISA, MasterCard or American Express card to pay the $5 fee.
  If you are calling from outside of Calgary, please contact 403-268-CITY (2489).
 
  After payment is processed a replacement tag will be sent to you in the mail.

You can only order a replacement tag online if you are renewing your animal's licence at the same time.​ 

What should I do if I've lost my cat or dog?

Immediately check around your home and neighbourhood. Ask family, friends and neighbours if they have seen your cat or dog. If you don't find your cat or dog after this initial search, the following actions are vital in helping to locate your missing pet: 

• Call 3-1-1 and file a lost pet report. Be prepared to give a description of your cat or dog, including their licence number and tattoo or microchip information.
• Check if your lost pet has been brought into the Animal Services Centre by frequently checking the listings of impounded cats, impounded dogs, adoptable cats and adoptable dogs on our website. The website is updated every 15 minutes during regular business hours, so check frequently.
• Download the free City of Calgary Pets mobile application so you can check via your mobile device if your pet is showing up on our impounded or adoptable lists.
• Visit the Animal Services Centre at 2201 Portland Street S.E. to see if your lost cat or lost dog is in our facility. It's easier to identify your pet in person than by looking at photos. We are open 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. We are closed on statutory holidays.
• Contact the Calgary Humane Society to see if they have picked up your pet. Call 403-205-4455 or visit their facility at 4455 - 110 Ave S.E. or check their website at www.calgaryhumane.ca.
• Contact neighbours, service providers and local vet clinics to ask if they have seen your cat or dog. People often bring stray pets to their vet so make sure the vets in your area know what pet you are looking for and how to reach you.
• Place a "Lost Pet" ad on Shaw Cable TV's website and in local newspapers. 

Never give up hope. Your pet may come back to you today or even in a few weeks. Pets have been known to return to their families after weeks of being gone. 

What should I do if I find a lost cat or dog?

Under the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw 23M2006, any person in possession of a stray dog or cat must notify and turn the animal over to Animal & Bylaw Services by calling 3-1-1.  After hours, citizens will be advised to take the animal to a vet clinic, where he will be picked up by Animal & Bylaw Services the next day.  We then make every attempt to reunite that animal with his owner before putting him up for adoption.

Where do my pet licensing dollars go?

At three months of age, all cats and dogs residing in Calgary must be licensed with The City of Calgary Animal & Bylaw Services. Pets' licences are their ticket home. It also lets other citizens know that a pet at large has a home and is not a stray. All of the money from cat and dog licensing goes back into supporting Animal & Bylaw Services' operations.

Licensing fees, not tax dollars, fund the following programs and services: 

• ​Reunite lost cats and dogs with their owners.
• Operate the Pet Drive Home program.
• Educate cat and dog owners about responsible pet ownership.
• Enforce the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw.
• Shelter and feed lost cats and dogs in our vet-operated facility.
• Manage our animal adoption program.
• Offer school programs​ at no charge.
• Deliver public education programs.
• Run our volunteer animal socialization program.
• Help neighbours resolve their animal related conflicts.
• Provide funding to veterinary clinics for emergency medical care for injured stray cats and dogs.
• Operate the No Cost Spay/Neuter Program​ for the cats and dogs of eligible Calgarians.
• Provide medical care to adoptable cats and dogs in our clinic.​