By-laws regulate the keeping of pets and other animals within the city. Below is a summary of information contained in the Animal Control By-law. For information about how to report a by-law violation, please refer to By-law Enforcement.
Animal Control Services for the City's Enforcement Services branch provides many services on behalf of the community, such as:
- responding to complaints for pets running at large, trespassing, failure to "stoop and scoop" etc
- aggressive animals including animal bites or attacks,
- responding 24-hours-a-day to injured or sick animals that are in need of veterinarian care on our roads
- ensuring that your pet has been provided with its anti-rabies vaccinations for the safety of the community
Pet Registration
In Barrie, residents are required to register their dog(s) (cats are optional). Anyone caught with an unregistered dog can face fines ranging from $150 to $5,000.
Dogs & Parks
As per the Animal Control By-law, dogs are permitted in non-waterfront parks (and on walking paths only in Heritage Park, Allandale Station Park and Centennial Park) provided the dog is on a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length. Dogs are permitted to run off-leash in Dog Off-Leash Recreation Areas (DOLRAs). Dogs must not be left unattended and must be in the care, control and custody of its owner or guardian at all times.
Except as permitted above, animals of any kind are not permitted in any City park unless authorized by the City.
Help keep our parks, yards and City monuments clean. City By-laws require that you 'stoop and scoop'. Please think of your neighbours and friends and clean up after your pets
Feeding of Wildlife
Nobody shall intentionally feed a wild animal or leave food or attractants of any type or in any form out of doors in such a manner as to attract, or be accessible by a wild animal, feral or stray domestic animal on private or public property. There is an exception for feeding of songbirds, provided certain feeding requirements are met. See section 18.8.0.0.0 of the Animal Control By-law for full information.
Pet Ownership
Except in the operation of a licenced kennel for the purpose of breeding or boarding animals, animal hospitals, pet stores or the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shelter or pound, the following rules apply:
- No more than three (3) dogs over the age of six (6) months may be kept in any residential, commercial or industrial building in the City of Barrie.
- No more than six (6) cats over the ages of six (6) months may be kept in any residential, commercial or industrial building in the City of Barrie.
The Do's & Don'ts of Pet Care
Do's
- Register your pets with the City of Barrie.
- Be aware of the municipal laws regulating the keeping of your pets (specifically, the Animal Control By-law).
- Keep your dog on a leash whenever it is not on your own private property. When dogs are not leashed they may be exposed to a dangerous situation or may interfere in an unwelcome way with the activities of people.
- Register your pet as a patient, and yourself as a client, with a veterinarian.
- Spay or neuter your pet.
- Be sure to have your pet checked and vaccinated annually by a qualified veterinarian.
- Feed your pet from its own dishes which should be kept apart from those of the human family.
- Keep your pet clean and well groomed.
- Make the proper arrangements for the care of your pet when you are going on holidays.
Don'ts
- Do not allow your pet to foul buildings, pavements, lawns and gardens or any city parks, fields, etc.
- Do not allow your pet to be noisy and thereby disturb your neighbours.
- Do not leave your pet unattended in a hot vehicle or without a supply of fresh water.
- Do not take your dog into a food shop.
- Do not allow your dog to be uncontrolled. Train your dog in elementary obedience.