Report a Concern

If you have a concern about an animal, you are encouraged to contact the Owen Sound Animal Shelter at 519-372-1123. Issues with wild animals should be brought to the attention of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - 1-877-847-4274

More information is available on our Animal Services webpage.

In serious situations, citizens are able to officially register a formal complaint with the City of Owen Sound. These official complaints are tracked and addressed confidentially. If someone wishes to register a formal complaint, they are asked to complete the Formal Complaints form and submit it to the City. You may complete the form online or download the form and submit it in any of the following manners:

• Mail: 808 2nd Avenue East, Owen Sound, Ontario N4K 2H3
• E-mail: feedback@owensound.ca
• Hand delivery to City Hall

Formal complaints are addressed in accordance with the City's Complaints Process Policy.

If a citizen feels a City employee has breached the Code of Ethics for Municipal Employees, they are able to officially request an inquiry into the employees' actions. This is a serious claim and is tracked and addressed confidentially.

If someone wishes to request an inquiry, they are asked to complete the Request an Inquiry form and submit it to the City. You may complete the form online or download the form and submit it by:

• Mail: 808 2nd Avenue East, Owen Sound, Ontario N4K 2H3
• E-mail: feedback@owensound.ca
• Hand delivery to City Hall

If an improperly discarded sharp or needle is found on public or private property, and you are uncomfortable disposing of it yourself, please see below. If comfortable, you can follow disposal procedures recommended by Grey Bruce Public Health's site here or pick up a free Community Sharps Disposal Kit from Public Health.

• If found on city property (such as parks, trails and sidewalks), call Public Works at 519-376-4274 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays or submit an online Report A Concern form anytime and select ‘Sharps/Needles Improperly Discarded’.  Service requests are addressed each business day.
  
  If you find a discarded sharp that poses an immediate safety risk, please call OS Police at 519-376-1234.
  
  

• It is the owner's responsibility to dispose of sharps items found on private property.  For the safest disposal procedures, see the recommendations from Grey Bruce Public Health’s website or the Be Smart With Sharps poster.
  
  Grey Bruce Public Health also has free Community Sharps Disposal Kits available for pick up.

A sharps disposal bin is located in Municipal Parking Lot 5, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues East.  One is also located at Grey Bruce Public Health (101 17th St East).

The Neighbourhood Response Team (NRT) is a Safe ’N Sound social response program delivered in partnership with Supportive Outreach Services (SOS), the County of Grey, and the City of Owen Sound. The team supports people experiencing distress or homelessness, and responds to non-emergency concerns from businesses and the community. They focus on harm reduction: de-escalation, connection to services, and practical help that keeps our downtown welcoming for everyone.

What the NRT can help with:

• De-escalation and support for people in distress.
• A person resting in a storefront entry or talking to themselves (not aggressive).
• A person asking for help finding shelter, food, or other supports.
• A person digging through garbage.
• Business and community assistance for non-emergency concerns, including:
• Remove abandoned clothing, bedding, belongings in most cases
• Sharps or other substance-use equipment
• Human excrement
• Staff or customers feeling scared or uncomfortable
• System navigation: connections to housing, shelter, health, and community services.
• Relationship-building with businesses and residents.
• Basic first aid and naloxone.

What the NRT cannot do:

• Forcibly remove people from stores, doorways, or public spaces.
• Retrieve stolen property or intervene in theft.
• Provide medical support beyond basic first aid/CPR/naloxone.
• Replace police, paramedics, or other emergency services.