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Animal Services
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Animal Services Agency
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Pet education

Education programs postponed

All pet education programs have been postponed until further notice.

Pet ownership quiz challenge

Test your knowledge of responsible pet ownership!

Responsible Pet Ownership By-Law

The Responsible Pet Ownership By-Law regulates the presence of wild and domesticated animals within the City of Winnipeg, their activities and the activities of their owners.

Dog and cat ownership information

Visit these external agencies for helpful information on dog and cat ownership:

Spay/Neuter

Spaying or neutering your pet:

  • Helps control the pet overpopulation problem
  • Provides health benefits
  • Reduces roaming
  • Provides a significant discount when licensing
  • Improves community safety

To spay/neuter your pet simply contact a veterinarian!

Low income spay/neuter programming

Available at the Winnipeg Humane Society and is partially funded by the City of Winnipeg:

  • SNAP Program: 204-888-SNAP
  • We are Here for the Animals Program: 204-421-7297

Preventing dog bites

Pet owners

  • When walking your dog:
    • If your dog is expressing aggression to people or animals, use a muzzle when in public
    • Use a harness which provides more control than a standard collar
  • Consider obedience classes for your dog 
    • Check online or with a pet trainer for additional tips
  • Ensure your doors, windows, fences, and gates are kept secured
    • Utilize locks on gates where able
  • If residents visit your home
    • Place your dog in a secure locked room or kennel
  • Provide your dog daily attention and exercise including walks
    • Dogs left in yards or on tie outs over time can become territorial and aggressive
    • Walking a dog helps with socialization
  • Provide appropriate toys to occupy your dog’s time
  • Take your dog inside when he/she starts to bark
  • Supervise children around your dog
  • Spay/neuter your dog which helps:
    • Control the pet overpopulation problem
    • Reduce some health issues
    • Reduce the urge to roam
    • Significantly reduce the cost of a pet license
  • Take your dog to a veterinarian annually especially for:
    • Vaccines
    • Heartworm prevention
  • Let your dog live in your home
    • Dogs kept indoors in an urban city have less neighbourhood impact
    • Dogs kept indoors are exposed less to fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, the heat, and the cold
    • Dogs left in yards over time can become territorial and aggressive

Residents

  • Only approach a dog if you have permission from the owner
    • If there is no owner there – stay away from the dog
  • When you have permission to pet a dog, let the dog sniff the back of your fist and move slowly and quietly
  • Always move slowly and quietly around dogs –DON’T run or make loud noises around strange dogs
  • Don’t disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating or looking after puppies
  • Don’t try to take any toys, food or any other object from a dog’s mouth
  • If a strange dog is approaching you:
    • Stand still and be quiet
    • Don’t try to run away because this will make the dog chase you
    • Don’t stare into the dog’s eyes
  • If the dog tries to grab you:
    • try to let him have your jacket or backpack, etc.
    • put something between you and the dog
  • If you fall or are knocked down:
    • Curl up into a ball with your hands over your ears and stay still
    • Try not to scream or roll around
    • Wait for help to arrive before getting up
  • Never cut through someone’s yard, even if you know the people. You could run into a dog that might bite you.

Keeping your pet safe

Community outreach

Our team is available with these customizable options:

Community events

  • Set up of an educational booth
  • Animal Services Officer with an adoptable dog

Corporate events

  • Set up of an educational booth
  • Animal Services Officer with an adoptable dog
  • Half day corporate volunteering at Animal Services
  • Tour of Animal Services

Schools

  • Responsible pet ownership presentation at school or Animal Services
  • Animal Services Officer with an adoptable dog
  • Tour of Animal Services

For more information email: animalservicesagency@winnipeg.ca

Last update: February 24, 2021->

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