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Services offered at the Owen Sound Animal Shelter and by Animal Control Officers include:
Caring for lost or stray animals;
Adoption services;
Public education and outreach;
Enforcement of animal control by-laws and patrol of the City.
Visit the Owen Sound Animal Shelter website or contact the shelter at 519-372-1123 for more information, to volunteer, to make a donation to the shelter or to make an animal by-law complaint.
Current Hours of Operation*
Monday to Friday: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed on Sunday
*Currently open by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call 519-372-1123 or email osas@bmts.com.
Dogs
Please be aware of some of the rules of owning a dog in the City:
You must provide safe and humane living conditions for your dog;
You must remove dog feces right away;
Dogs must be indoors, in a fenced yard, in the City's dog park, on a leash or controlled by the owner at all times;
Dogs must be licenced each year and wear the licence on their collar;
You must contact the City if a dog changes owners or moves;
You may keep up to 3 dogs in your home.
The City's Dog By-law has the complete list of dog rules.
The Leash-Free Dog Park is always open for dogs to roam freely in the fenced-in space at 1240 1st Avenue East. Please remember to pick up after your pet.
Dog Tag Registration Form
Dog tags must be renewed at the beginning of each calendar year.
Dog tag fees are as follows:
Before March 31: Dog spayed/neutered
$20.00
Before March 31: Dog not spayed/neutered
$35.00
After March 31: Dog spayed/neutered
$30.00
After March 31: Dog not spayed/neutered
$45.00
We strongly encourage residents to return this form (along with payment) via one of the options below and the dog tag(s) will be mailed to you.
Please be aware of some of the rules of owning a cat in the City:
You must provide safe and humane living conditions for your cat;
Cats must stay on your property or be under your control at all times;
Cats must be licenced once and wear the licence on their collar;
You cannot abandon a cat in the City;
If you can no longer take care of a cat, you may release it to the Animal Shelter.
The City's Cat By-law has the complete list of cat rules.
Cat tags are valid for the lifetime of a cat.
Cat tag fees are as follows:
Cat Licence (cat spayed/neutered)
$30.00
Cat Licence (cat not spayed/neutered)
$45.00
Other Domestic Animals
You can have animals like birds, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, and lizards as pets in the City.
The City's Keeping of Certain Kinds of Animals By-law does not allow you to keep other animals, including pigs, snakes with venom, and chickens. For questions or to report an animal that is not allowed in the City, contact By-law Enforcement.
Wild Animals On Your Property
Feeding wild animals, other than song birds, is not allowed in the City and can do more harm than good:
Artificial feed is not healthy for wildlife;
Animals which are fed can become aggressive and/or dependent on artificial food sources;
Feeding animals near roads increases their risk of being hit by vehicles;
Feeding wildlife may attract other unwanted animals to your property.
If you have a wild animal on your property you are concerned about, please visit the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) website to help direct your concerns.
