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Excess Animal Permit Cost |
Restrictions as to Number of |
Complaints - Number of Animals (Cats and Dogs)
The City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 Section 30.(1)(a) & (b) states that a person can have in their possession or on their premises only three dogs and three cats over the age of six month regardless of the number of people who may be inhabiting the premises.
A person can make application for an Excess Animal Permit as per the City of Winnipeg Pound by-law 2443/79 Section 30.(3).
A person having more than three dogs or three cats over the age of six month without holding a valid Excess Animal Permit faces charges under the Pound By-law. The person would then have to appear before a magistrate in Provincial Court.
How do I register a complaint regarding someone having too many animals?
To register a complaint about a residence with too many animals, call the Animal Services Agency at 311. At that time you will be asked a series of questions:
- your name, address and phone number
- the address of where the animals live
- the date and time that you last saw the animal
- a description of the animals
How many dogs or cats can I have?
Three dogs over the age of six months and three cats over the age of six months.
Is there a permit to have more than the legal number of animals?
Yes, an application can be made for an Excess Animal Permit.
What is the process for obtaining an Excess Animal Permit?
- Visit the Animal Services Agency at 1057 Logan Avenue to receive your application package.
- The application package contains:
- An Application for Excess Animal Permit which must be completed and returned to Animal Services Agency at 1057 Logan Avenue with the application fee of $120.00.
- Letter of Support Form to be returned with your application. The Letter of Support should include signatures from people in your immediate area. It is especially helpful if your immediate neighbours (north, south, east and west) have signed the Letter of Support.
- Copy of By-law Extract – Pound By-law 2443/79 Cats and/or Dogs
- Animal Services Agency will forward your application to the Zoning Department on your behalf and Zoning will contact you directly, if necessary.
- Animal Services Agency will contact you regarding an initial inspection of your property.
- You will be required to appear before the Community Committee in your area. When your appearance has been scheduled, Animal Services Agency will send you a letter informing you of:
- The Community Committee meeting date and location
- The date that the required property posters will be available at Animal Services Agency (1057 Logan Avenue) for pick-up
- The date that the required property posters must be erected and maintained on the subject property.
As the applicant you will be responsible for the following:
- Posters must be erected and maintained on the property in the following manner:
- ON the subject property
- No more than one (1) meter in from the property line
- Facing out towards street or lane frontages in a manner that can be easily read by passersby on the sidewalk, street or lane.
- Posters must be in conspicuous locations facing each street adjacent to the land or building referred to in the notice (on the poster).
- Poster(s) may be attached to any surface such as walls, trees, and fences or within windows providing the above regulations are followed.
- Poster(s) MUST NOT be attached to public utility poles; any such placement will constitute a violation of the posting requirements.
- Poster(s) must remain up for the required fourteen (14) days prior to the public hearing, not including the posting date or the hearing date.
- Arrange to obtain replacement posters by calling Animal Services Agency at 311 immediately if the posters have been damaged or removed due to vandalism or adverse weather conditions.
- Failure to adhere to the above outlined posting requirements may result in a delay in the consideration of your application.
- Attend or authorize some other person to represent you at the Community Committee public hearing at the date, time and place you are advised.
- If you fail to appear or be represented, the application will be considered in your absence.
- You must remove all notices from the subject property immediately after the date of the public hearing.
- The decision of Community Committee may be appealed within 14 days of the decision. The permit, if approved, will be issued after this time if there is no appeal. Permits are renewable yearly. There is a $60.00 per year inspection fee at that time.
- Your property will be inspected during the posting period to ensure posting procedures have been followed and you will be notified of any non-compliance. This does not however, preclude your own surveillance of the property or your responsible to contact Animal Services Agency should you notice any irregularities.
How much does an Excess Animal Permit cost?
There is an initial $120.00 non-refundable application fee. If your permit is approved, there is an annual $60.00 inspection fee.
Can I breed cats or dogs from my home?
If you plan to breed cats from your home, you must purchase an Intact Cat Permit for each unsterilized cat you have on your premise. You must purchase the required permits from the City of Winnipeg, Planning, Property and Development Department - Zoning Division.
If you plan to breed more than two and less than five litters of dogs and/or cats, you would be considered a Hobby Breeder and would require a Provincial permit. If you plan to breed more than five litters of dogs or/cats in any one year, you would be considered a Commercial Breeding Premise and would require a Provincial permit. Contact the Province of Manitoba at 945-7662 or go to Animal Care Act for further information.
Can I open a kennel from my home?
If you plan to operate a kennel where eight or more dogs and/or cats are kept, you will require permits from the City of Winnipeg, Planning, Property and Development Department – Zoning Division, as well as the necessary Provincial permits. Contact the Province of Manitoba at 945-7662 for further information.
There are 20 cats living in my neighbours garage. What can be done about i?
Please call the Animal Services Agency at 311 to register a complaint.
Is a litter of kittens considered being over the limit?
No, the City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 Section 30.(1) refers only to animals over the age of 6 months.
My neighbours have lots of birds in their house. Is this allowed?
The City of Winnipeg does not regulate the number of other animal species kept except for the restrictions detailed in City of Winnipeg By-law 3383/83.
How to register a complaint regarding someone having too many animals
To register a complaint about a residence with too many animals, call Animal Services Agency at 311. At that time you will be asked a series of questions:
- your name, address and phone number
- the address of where the animals live
- the date and time that you last saw the animal
- a description of the animals
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