Frequently Asked Questions: Cats
- Is there any by-law’s about cats?
- How can I file a complaint about my neighbours cat being in my yard?
- What are the rules about cats running loose?
- What does running at large mean?
- What am I suppose to do about the cats if Animal Services Agency won’t come catch them?
- Why don’t cats have to be licensed?
- Can I bring a stray cat to the Animal Services Agency building on Logan Avenue?
- Can you stop my neighbour from feeding the stray cats?
- What do you do about feral cats in my neighbourhood?
- How do I report an unsterilized cat?
- Is there a by-law about sterilizing my cat?
- What if I don’t want to sterilize my cat?
- What will happen if I don’t sterilize my cat?
- My cat is an indoor cat. Why do I have to sterilize it?
- I can’t afford to get my cat fixed. What should I do?
- Why can’t I let my cat run loose?
- My cat is stuck in a tree. Can Animal Services come and get it down for me?
Is there any by-law’s about cats?
Yes – The City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 Section 28 contains the regulations pertaining to cats.
How can I file a complaint about my neighbours cat being in my yard?
To register a complaint about a cat being off its property, 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 cat lives
- the date and time that you last saw the cat off its property
- a description of the cat
Your complaint will be registered and an Animal Services Agency Officer will investigate. Please note that Animal Services Agency does not respond to anonymous complaints.
What are the rules about cats running loose?
The City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 Section 28.(4) states that cat owners shall not permit their cats to run at large.
What does running at large mean?
“At large” means that the cat is off the premises of the owner and not on a leash held by a person able to control the cat. The leash can be no longer than six (6) feet.
Why can’t I let my cat run loose?
The City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 Section 28.(4) states that cat owners shall not permit their cats to run at large. The leash cannot extend longer than 6 feet and the leash must be held by a person able to control the cat.
Letting your pet run loose puts them and the community in danger. Every year hundreds of dogs and cats die in traffic accidents. Motorists may be injured trying to avoid these animals. When allowed to run at large your pet can be killed or injury by another animals, they can ingest poison or come in harms way in numerous other ways.
Dogs and cats running loose also create conditions for disease by ripping apart garbage and by soiling property. A stray dog or cat also puts people at risk for rabies.
Pets that run free contribute to the already explosive pet population in Winnipeg.
Owners who fail to keep their dog or cat on a leash in Winnipeg are subject to fines of $200.00.
What am I suppose to do about the cats if Animal Services Agency won’t come catch them?
The City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 Section 28.(5) allows for the citizen of Winnipeg to rent a trap from 1057 Logan Avenue (Animal Services Agency) and trap unwanted cats on their property. See details for trap rental.
Why don’t cats have to be licensed?
There is no provision in the City of Winnipeg Pound By-law for the licensing of cats. However, pursuant to Section 28.(11) of the City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79:
“Every owner of a cat shall ensure that it is identified by a tattoo number, microchip or collar which will easily allow the owner’s name, address and telephone number to be ascertained. No person other than an employee of the city of Winnipeg or the Winnipeg Humane Society shall remove any such identification.”
Can I bring a stray cat to the Animal Services Agency building on Logan Avenue?
No – Animal Services Agency has no facilities for kenneling of stray cats. Contact the Winnipeg Humane Society at 982-2025.
Can you stop my neighbour from feeding the stray cats?
No – there is no by-law against feeding of stray cats. If the stray cats are in your yard, you can rent a cat trap from Animal Services Agency. See details for trap rental.
What do you do about feral cats in my neighbourhood?
See details for trap rental or contact the Winnipeg Humane Society at 982-2025.
How do I report an unsterilized cat?
To register a complaint about an unsterilized cat, 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 cat lives
- the date and time that you last saw the cat
- a description of the cat
Your complaint will be registered and an Animal Services Agency Officer will investigate. Please note that Animal Services Agency does not respond to anonymous complaints.
Is there a by-law about sterilizing my cat?
Yes – the City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 Section 28.(13) states that no resident of the City of Winnipeg shall own a cat over the age of 6 months which has not been sterilized by a licensed veterinary surgeon, unless the owner is in possession of a valid and subsisting permit for the cat (Section 28.(14)).
What if I don’t want to sterilize my cat?
If you do not wish to have your cat spayed or neutered, an “Intact Cat Permit" can be purchased from either Animal Services Agency or the Winnipeg Humane Society. The Permit is issued annually for a fee of $51.00 and is effective for 12 months from the date of issue. To purchase an Intact Cat Permit by phone, call Animal Services Agency at 311 or visit the Animal Services Agency building at 1057 Logan during regular business hours.
What will happen if I don’t sterilize my cat?
Animal Services Agency will lay charges under the City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79. You will be required to appear before a magistrate in Provincial Court.
My cat is an indoor cat. Why do I have to sterilize it?
The City of Winnipeg Pound by-law states all cats over the age of six months must be sterilized or that an Intact Cat Permit be purchased.
I can’t afford to get my cat fixed. What should I do?
The City of Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Humane Society offer a Low Cost Spay or Neuter program. For details, contact the Winnipeg Humane Society at 982-2025.
Why can’t I let my cat run loose?
The City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 Section 28.(4) states that cat owners shall not permit their cats to run at large. The leash cannot extend longer than 6 feet and the leash must be held by a person able to control the cat.
Letting your pet run loose puts them and the community in danger. Every year hundreds of dogs and cats die in traffic accidents. Motorists may be injured trying to avoid these animals. When allowed to run at large your pet can be killed or injury by another animals, they can ingest poison or come in harms way in numerous other ways.
Dogs and cats running loose also create conditions for disease by ripping apart garbage and by soiling property. A stray dog or cat also puts people at risk for rabies.
Pets that run free contribute to the already explosive pet population in Winnipeg.
Owners who fail to keep their dog or cat on a leash in Winnipeg are subject to fines of $200.00.
My cat is stuck in a tree. Can Animal Services come and get it down for me?
No, Animal Services is not able to respond to calls to get cats out of trees.
Last update: 15.04.2010
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