WINNIPEG, MB - The Standing Policy Committee on Protection and Community Services will consider a report which recommends repealing both the Pound By-law No. 2443/79 and the Exotic animal By-law No. 3389/83 in favor of a newly created Responsible Pet Ownership By-law.
The proposed Responsible Pet Ownership By-law provides a more contemporary approach to animal ownership in Winnipeg while serving to protect the safety of pets, their owners and other residents, as well as includes measures aimed at reducing pet overpopulation issues in Winnipeg. The proposed By-law will assist animal shelters and rescue organizations in Winnipeg that deal with the effects of pet overpopulation by strongly encouraging responsible pet ownership.
A Cat Licensing Program is proposed as part of the new Responsible Pet Ownership By-law. It is also proposed that the net proceeds of the Cat Licensing Program be used to fund the Winnipeg Humane Society's stray and feral cat spay/neuter programs and partner spay/neuter programs. The Cat Licensing Program would be implemented on January 1, 2014 whereby cat owners would be required to purchase an annual cat license for a $15.00 fee for spayed / neutered cats and a $50.00 fee for intact cats. Failure to license a cat would result in a $250.00 fine, similar to the fine imposed for the failure to license a dog.
"Cat licensing will protect more cats with a license tag and provide a revenue stream for enhanced spay/neuter programs," said Animal Services COO Leland Gordon. "Both dogs and cats affect neighbourhood livability and place a strain on area animal shelters. A license increases owner responsibility while adding value and protection to our feline companions."
With cat licensing, 311 operators will be able to reunite lost cats wearing licenses. In 2011, 311 reunited 601 dogs wearing licenses without those dogs having to set foot in Animal Services.
The city of Calgary, which has cat licensing, boasts a 52 per cent return rate on lost cats; Winnipeg lags at nine per cent. The result is Winnipeg area animal shelters take in high volumes of stray cats that are not reunited with their owners. Thousands of stray and feral cats are euthanized yearly. Most major cities in Canada have both dog and cat licensing.
Additional highlights from the proposed By-law include:
- Requiring a Pet Vendor License for any person who sells or advertises the sale of a puppy or kitten in Winnipeg that is less than six months of age and requiring that the license number be published in any advertisement for the sale of a dog and/or cat; and is intended as a measure to reduce pet overpopulation issues.
- Prohibiting the sale of dogs or cats by pet stores in Winnipeg. This restriction does not apply to adoptions arranged by a pet store on behalf of the Winnipeg Humane Society or an animal rescue organization.
- Maintaining the ban on pit bulls in Winnipeg.
- Allowing residents of Winnipeg to own or harbor up to six dogs and cats, four of which may be dogs. The previous By-law allowed for a maximum of 3 dogs and 3 cats.
- Prohibiting a travelling zoo, exhibit or circus from keeping or harbouring animals except those that are on the Allowed Animals listing contained within the By-law.
- Urban chicken keeping in Winnipeg will be allowed only in areas that are agriculturally zoned due to potential food safety, humane and neighbourhood liveability issues.
The report, which will be considered by the Standing Policy Committee on Protection and Community Services on Monday, January 14, 2013, is available here.