There is always something new at Animal & Bylaw Services. Recent news includes the off-leash area survey, our new Seniors for Seniors adoption program, the establishment of The City of Calgary Responsible Pet Ownership Fund, revised cat and dog licensing fees, our 2010 Annual Report, the City of Calgary Pets mobile applications, the P.U.P.P.Y. program and other events. More details on these items are listed below.
Off-leash area survery
Animal & Bylaw Services is currently reviewing the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw and is seeking input from Calgarians. Dog owners and off-leash area users are encouraged to take a few minutes to fill out a short online survey to provide their views regarding the number of dogs an individual should be allowed to have off-leash at one time. This survey may be used to determine if it is necessary to limit the number of dogs an individual can have off-leash at one time.
Currently, there is no limit on the number of dogs that individual citizens can have off-leash at one time within Calgary’s designated off-leash areas. However, it is specified that dogs must be under control – within sight and responsive to commands – at all times.
Citizens without access to the internet may also participate in the survey by calling 3-1-1.
Take the off-leash Survey
Seniors for Seniors
Animal & Bylaw Services is proud to announce the launch of the “Seniors for Seniors” program: a new adoption program aimed at connecting mature cats and dogs with people 60 and over. The program offers seniors (age 60 or older) a 60% discount when adopting a senior cat or dog (age 8 or older), resulting in a cost of only $60 to adopt a cat or $80 to adopt a dog. The adoption fee includes a vet check, deworming (dogs only), testing for feline leukemia (cats only), vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery, a microchip, a six-month City of Calgary licence and a bag of food.
The City of Calgary Responsible Pet Ownership Fund
Animal & Bylaw Services is pleased to announce the establishment of The City of Calgary Responsible Pet Ownership Fund: a charitable organization whose purpose is to promote responsible pet ownership and provide financial support through grants to qualified responsible pet ownership organizations in Calgary.
ABS has partnered with the Calgary Foundation to assist in receiving and managin donations to the fund. To make a donation, visit the Calgary Foundation's website and select the "Give Online" tab from the left-hand navigation menu. You may then choose any of the four donation types: General Donation, In Memory Donation, In Honour Donation or Fundraising Event Donation. Once you have selected the donation type, locate our fund by typing "The City of Calgary Responsilbe Pet Ownership Fund" in the box below "option 1." A tax receipt will be issued for donations of $25 or more.
Only credit cards are accepted for online donations. However, donations can also be made via:
- Phone: (403) 802-7700
- Cheque payable to "The Calgary Foundation" with The City of Calgary Responsible Pet Ownership Fund in memo
- In person or mailed to: 700-999 8 Street S.W., Calgary, AB T2R 1J5
Cat trap rentals reinstated
Effective April 1st, we will be taking Cat Trap requests again. To ensure the health and safety of the animals, please remember to close the trap if overnight temperatures go below zero.
No Cost Spay/Neuter Program
Effective immediately, The City of Calgary Animal & Bylaw Services will begin accepting applications for the 
No Cost Spay/Neuter Program which provides free spay and neuter surgery for cats and dogs of eligible low income Calgarians.
“On September 1, we temporarily paused the program to handle the backlog of applications waiting to be screened,” said Bill Bruce, director of The City of Calgary Animal & Bylaw Services. “Now that those demands have been met, we are ready to resume offering this very popular and important service with priority given to cats.”
Discontinuation of the Licensing Second Notices
Historically pet owners have received a mailed Notice/Invoice from Animal & Bylaw Services 30 days prior to the expiration of their pet’s licence. If payment wasn’t received, a Second Notice was mailed 10 to 15 days after the licence expired.
Starting February 15, 2012, Animal & Bylaw Services is no longer mailing a Second Notice. This is a result of our commitment to create a more environmentally friendly and cost efficient invoicing process.
As a result, pet owners will only receive one Notice through the mail 30 days prior to the licence expiration date.
Pet owners can participate in helping Animal & Bylaw Services create greater efficiencies by calling 3-1-1 and having their email addresses added to their pet’s file. In the future we hope to be able to use an email rather than mail process.
Thank you for your assistance. Licensing helps Animal & Bylaw Services reunite lost pets with their owners. This is why at three months of age, all cats and dogs residing in the city of Calgary must be licensed. There is a $250 fine for having an unlicensed pet.
Revised licensing fees go into effect January 1, 2012
As of January 1, 2012, the cost to license your cat or dog with The City of Calgary Animal & Bylaw Services will change. The new licensing fees are as follows:
Puppies (3 months to under 6 months old) |
$36
|
Altered dogs over 6 months old (spayed or neutered) |
$36 |
Unaltered dogs over 6 months old (not spayed or neutered) |
$58 |
Kittens (3 months to under 6 months old) |
$15 |
Altered cats over 6 months old (spayed or neutered) |
$15 |
Unaltered cats over 6 months old (not spayed or neutered) |
$30 |
Pet health insurance with Petsecure
Effective January 1, 2012, when you renew your pet's licence and purchase a new Petsecure pet health insurance policy, you will receive one month of premium coverage at no cost and the enrolment fee will be waived.
Effective January 1, 2012, when you adopt a pet from ABS, you will receive a complimentary 6-week trial of
Petsecure pet health insurance.
Animal & Bylaw Services 2010 Annual Report
Animal & Bylaw Services has released their 2010 Annual Report.
City of Calgary Pets - mobile application
Animal & Bylaws Services is excited to release our new mobile application called City of Calgary Pets. This application connects Calgarians to the Animal Services Centre where lost and adoptable cats and dogs are safely waiting to be reunited with their owners or to be adopted into forever homes. The mobile application promotes responsible pet ownership, providing information on pet adoption and licensing for cats and dogs. The City of Calgary Pets application is available for iPhone, Blackberry and Android users. For more information on how to download this FREE app, please visit calgary.ca/mobileapps.
