Changes to dog bylaw include lifetime tag, no dogs in city facilities

Our family dog Boston.

Our family dog Boston.

You’ll be able to buy a lifetime dog license., but you won’t be able to bring your furry friend into city buildings if proposed changes to the Animal Control Bylaw are approved by council.

City staff want to change the bylaw in several areas to reduce waste, costs and staff processing time, including:

  • Changing date of expiry to purchase date, rather than calendar year. That way they don’t all have to be processed at one.
  • Eliminating licensing outlets at vet clinics and pet stores
  • Using of permanent tags
  • Prohibiting of animals in City owned facilities (other than aid dogs) where signs are erected prohibiting animals.

The savings in the 2015 budget as a result of changes in the program were $7,500, due to reduced costs for bulk mail outs and reduced need to issue new tags each year.

Initial responses from outlets selling licenses were mixed. Some outlets were not interested in continuing selling licenses anyway. Some felt the sale of licenses encouraged customers to come into their stores, but eventually were able to see the benefits to moving to an on line service delivery to improve customer service for pet owners.

Council approved the proposed changes at the May 11 Development & Infrastructure Committee, but that must be ratified by City Council May 25.

Read the staff report here: Animal Control Bylaw Update, Item 3

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