Canine Control

What are your hours of operation?

Canine Control is available for assistance between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. 

For emergencies, such as an injured dog or cat, or a found dog that is contained, Canine Control remains on call until 8:00 p.m., seven days a week. 

If you find a dog after 8:00 p.m., please ensure the dog's safety until 8:00 a.m. the following day. Injured dogs can be taken to the closest Emergency Vet Clinic. 

What do I do if I find a dog running at large?

Contact Canine Control at 705-445-1030 ext. 3254, or by email at bylaw@collingwood.ca. 

What do I do if my dog is missing?

Missing or lost dogs should be reported to Canine Control at 705-445-1030 ext. 3254, or by email at bylaw@collingwood.ca. 

What do I do if I can no longer care for my pet?

The Georgian Triangle Humane Society handles all inquiries relating to the surrendering of animals. Please contact them at 705-445-5204, or by email at info@gths.ca

Who do I contact regarding animal distress, neglect, abuse, or abandonment?

Ontario's Animal Welfare Services handles all inquiries related to the well-being of animals. Please contact the Ontario Animal Protection Call Centre: 1-833-9-ANIMAL (1-833-926-4625)

Do cats or other pets need to be licensed or registered?

No. The Town only requires licences for dogs.

Why is it necessary for me to licence my dog and have tags attached?

Dog licences play a crucial role in facilitating staff with identifying owners and contribute significantly to reuniting missing dogs with their rightful owners.

Who do I contact in regards to wildlife?

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is responsible for the management of wildlife, including coyotes.

If a sick or injured animal is on private property and posing a nuisance, property owners may contact a Pest Control Service to have the animal removed or relocated.

If a wild animal poses an immediate threat to the safety of humans, please contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.

Collingwood is surrounded by a beautiful coastline, forests, escarpment, and farmland. Wildlife, including coyotes, live in this region. Coyotes have been spotted in several areas throughout Collingwood.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is responsible for the management of wildlife, including coyotes. The Town tracks sightings and encounters with coyotes. You should avoid encounters with coyotes at all times. If a coyote poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety, call 911.

Prevention

• Coyotes are usually wary of humans and other animals.
• Never feed coyotes! Do not leave any food outdoors for any animal, including pets. Bird feeders attract birds, squirrels and rodents, which may, in turn, attract coyotes.
• Garbage should be stored in sealed containers and placed at the curb only on the day of pickup
• Avoid composting meat products.
• Keep pets indoors. Never let pets roam at large, and always keep your dog on a leash.

If you Encounter a Coyote

• Do not turn your back on or run from a coyote. Back away calmly.
• Stand tall, wave your hands and make lots of noise.  
• If the coyote continues to engage, use whatever means necessary to defend yourself.

Reporting

To report a coyote sighting or encounter:

• Option 1: Coyote Sighting Report Form
• Option 2: Town of Collingwood Coyote Hotline 705-445-1030 Ext. 3257

Wildlife Resources

• Preventing and managing conflicts with coyotes, wolves and foxes (Ministry of Natural Resources)
• Feeding wildlife: dos and don’ts (Ministry of Natural Resources)
• Coyote Watch Canada: FAQ's (Coyote Watch Canada)
• Coyote Sighting Report Form (Town of Collingwood)

More Information

In 2018, the Town completed an assessment of the reported coyote presence in the east end of Collingwood.

Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry stated that the coyotes in the east end of Collingwood were not an immediate threat to human safety, and stated that culling and trapping coyotes would not be successful in eliminating them.

Local licensed trappers expressed concerns about trapping in the east end of Collingwood, and agreed that education is paramount in reducing human-wildlife conflicts.

Town Council, using this expert assessment that the coyote situation in the east end is not an immediate threat of human safety and that a trap and kill program would not be successful, approved a Coyote Management Plan which includes a Coyote Sighting Online Form and Hotline, educational resources for residents, and educational awareness sessions.

Residents are reminded to:

• Keep pets on leashes and inside at night;
• Ensure their property is free of garbage, compost and, other attractants;
• Use deterrents such as motion-sensitive lighting and /or motion-activated sprinkler systems;
• Build fencing around their property or yard.

The Town of Collingwood has a contract with the Georgian Triangle Humane Society for Pound Services.

Any dog(s) picked up within Collingwood by Canine Control, where an owner cannot be immediately located or contacted, the dog will be taken to the Georgian Triangle Humane Society at the following address: 

549 10th Line
Collingwood, ON
L9Y 0W1
Phone: 705-445-5204

Operating Hours: 7 Days a Week, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Closed on Statutory holidays)

• Dogs may be claimed upon arrangement with the GTHS. If a dog remains unclaimed after the required redemption period, the dog will be transferred to the care of the GTHS, and may be sold or adopted.  
• To report your lost dog or inquire about whether your pet has been taken to the pound, please contact Canine Control at 705-445-1030 ext. 3254, or by email at bylaw@collingwood.ca. 
• If your dog is picked up by Town staff for running at large and taken to the GTHS, an impoundment charge, boarding fee, and licensing fee will need to be paid before the dog is released. 

Impound and Administration Fees

Surrendering Cats/Dogs, Stray Cats

If you have found a stray cat, or would like to discuss the process of surrendering, please contact the Georgian Triangle Humane Society at 705-445-5204.

The Town of Collingwood has three off-leash dog recreation areas where dogs are permitted to be off leash, subject to certain rules designed to keep all users safe. 

1. Pawplar Dog Park

Poplar Sideroad and Portland Street

Collingwood, ON

L9Y 4N9

2. Central Park Dog Park

250 Hume Street

Collingwood, ON

L9Y 3N3

3. Heritage Park Dog Park

11 High Street

Collingwood, ON

L9Y 3J7

Sick or Injured Wildlife on Private Property

If wildlife presents a nuisance to private property, property owners may wish to contact a local Pest Control Service to have the animal removed and/or relocated. Pest Control Service will charge a fee for the service. If the animal poses an immediate threat to humans, please contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.

Distempered Raccoons on Public Property

If you witness a sick/distempered raccoon on public property, contact the Canine Control at 705-445-1030 ext. 3254.  If the animal poses an immediate threat to humans, please contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.

Wildlife Custodians

For non-emergency situations involving wildlife, where the animal could potentially be rehabilitated, individuals can contact an Authorized Wildlife Rehabilitators.

Additional wildlife centre can be found at www.ontariowildliferescue.ca 

The contacts above have been provided for informational purposes only. The Town does not endorse any particular centre, and cannot cover any fees or transportation costs. A Pest Control Service may be able to help in transporting an animal to a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, however fees may apply.

For any other information or advice concerning wildlife, individuals are encouraged to contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry by calling 705-725-7500.