Animal Control
Supporting Responsible Pet Ownership in Collingwood
The Town’s Responsible Pet Ownership By-law helps to ensure all pets live in a safe environment with their owners and members of our community within Collingwood.
We advocate responsible pet ownership through four principles:
Ensuring physical care of animals, socialization and medical attention for pets
Licensing and registration to provide permanent identification for dogs
Spay or neuter pets to control the pet population
Not allowing pets to become a threat or nuisance in our community
Animal Control services includes:
- Reuniting lost dogs with their owners by administering the dog licensing program
- Providing 24 hour emergency response service
- Responding to dog bite and aggressive dog concern
- Educating members of our community of animal related by-laws and statutes
- Working in partnership with other animal related organizations such as the Georgian Triangle Humane Society, provincial inspectors from Ontario's Animal Protection Agency and local veterinarians.
Running at Large
Dogs and cats are not permitted to be at large – meaning they are not permitted to be straying or roaming off the owner’s property. 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.
Leash Requirements
Dogs must be on a leash at all times unless on the owner’s property or at a designated leash-free dog park.
Excrement
You must pick up and dispose of any excrement left by your pet on any property, including your own.
Barking
Dogs that disturb an individual’s peace and quiet by barking or howling are monitored by By-law Enforcement
Biting
Any dog that bites or attacks a person or domestic animal may be declared a biting or potentially dangerous dog.
Concerns about animal distress or abuse can be reported to the Ontario Animal Protection Call Centre:
1-833-9-ANIMAL (1-833-926- 4625)
Under the Responsible Pet Ownership By-law 2012-016:
- All dogs within Collingwood over the age of six (6) months shall be licensed on or before January 31st of each year.
- Licence renewal fees increase by $10.50 after February 28
- You are allowed a maximum of three (3) dogs within the Town of Collingwood
To Obtain a Dog Licence:
Option 1: Apply and pay for your dog licence and tag(s) online through the Public Portal. Please note you will need to complete a separate application for each dog.
Option 2: Complete the 2023 Dog Licence Renewal and Order Form and mail it or drop it off in the secure drop box at Town Hall with your cheque payment. Full details are outlined on the form.
2023 Licence Fees
** A fee of $10.50 will be applied to all renewal applications that are received after February 28 **
Fee Description | Fee ($) |
|---|
For Each Dog | $42.50 |
For Each Dog: spayed/neutered or micro chipped (with documentation) | $32.00 |
For Each Dog: spayed/neutered and micro chipped (with documentation) | $21.00 |
Lifetime Dog Tag (non-refundable, non-transferable) | $170.00 |
Service Dog | No Charge |
Replacement Tag | $5.50 |
Administration Fees
Fee Description | Fee ($) |
|---|
Adoption Fee | $26.00 |
Impoundment Fee: Dog wearing current Town tag |
|
First Occurrence - Picked up within 24 hrs. | No Charge |
First Occurrence - Picked up after 24 hrs. | $80.00 |
Impoundment Fee: Dog NOT wearing current Town tag |
|
First Occurrence | $106.00 |
Subsequent Occurence | $160.00 |
Surrender of Cat (GTHS & Admin Fee) | $78.00 |
Surrender of Dog (GTHS & Admin Fee) | $132.00 |
Pick up and drop of dog running at large | $55.00 |
Georgian Triangle Humane Society Boarding Fee | $30.00 |
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.
The Town of Collingwood partners with the Georgian Triangle Humane Society for our Shelter / Pound Services.
- Any dog(s) picked up within Collingwood by our Animal Control Officers, where an owner cannot be located or contacted to immediately pick up their dog, the dog will be taken to the Georgian Triangle Humane Society located at:
Georgian Triangle Humane Society
549 10th Line
Collingwood, ON
L9Y 0W1
Tel: 705-445-5204
Dogs maybe claimed upon arrangement with the GTHS.
CLOSED on Statutory holidays
- To determine if your dog has been taken to the pound please contact By-law Services: at 705-445-1030 Ext. 3254
- Where your cat or dog is picked up by Town staff for running at large and is taken to the shelter/pound, a pick-up charge and impoundment charge will apply in addition to any fees assessed by the pound keeper.
- The Town of Collingwood does not control or provide any service for wildlife.
- If you have a concern regarding wildlife, please contact the Ministry of Natural Resources at 705-725-7500
- If you would like to report a coyote sighting please visit our Coyote Sighting Report Form.
Feeding Wildlife
The feeding of wildlife is prohibited in the Town of Collingwood. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry states that feeding wildlife may do more harm than good, and lists the below points:
Threats to wildlife:
- animals can become dependent on artificial food sources
- animals can lose their natural fear of humans and pets, becoming more prone to conflict
- artificial feed is not healthy for wildlife
- wild animals may gather in large numbers when they are being fed — this concentration of animals in one area can spread parasites and disease and cause destruction of natural habitat
- feeding animals near roads increases their risk of being hit by vehicles
Threats to people:
- feeding wildlife may attract "unwanted" animals to your property
- animals will learn to associate humans with food, and can become a problem to neighbours
- habituated animals can become aggressive
- feeding animals near roads increases the risk of motor vehicle accidents, resulting in property damage, injury or death
Please visit the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry website for Feeding wildlife: dos and don’ts.
For more information on how the Town is managing the feeding of wildlife, please refer to our Wildlife Feeding By-Law.