Pet Owner Responsibilities

Our goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable City for all residents. As a pet owner you have responsibilities under the Animal Control Regulation. These regulations are for the health and well-being of both pets and residents.

The Basics of Animal Care
Pets are to be provided with clean, fresh drinking water and food to allow for normal, healthy growth and the maintenance of normal, healthy body weight. Your pet needs to be exercised, socialized and provided with necessary medical care.

Disaster Preparedness

Be Prepared! Disasters such as fire, severe weather and even terrorist attacks can occur at any time with little warning. The City of St. John's encourages its residents to have a plan in place for their furry friends.

Pet Emergency Preparedness

Dogs in Vehicles

Animals that are being transported in a vehicle must be properly secured. When not secured properly, pets can create a distraction for the driver and this can be dangerous for the animals, the driver and others on the road. All pets should be secured in the back seat or in the hatch of the vehicle. In summer months, it is very important to not leave your pet unattended in a hot car. Cars can heat up significantly in a short amount of time even in moderate summer temperatures and cracking a window does not significantly impact the inside temperature.

Licensing

All dogs aged six months or older must be licensed with the City within 20 business days of acquiring the dog or within 20 business days of the dog reaching six months of age. The licence is due to be renewed annually from the date of purchase. This will help reunite pets and owners and also help ensure rapid medical treatment in case of emergency. Cat tags are not mandatory, but are available. Please click for more information on pet licencing.

Living Accommodations

No animal shall be kept in unsanitary conditions. This is when the keeping of the animal results in an accumulation of fecal matter, odors, insect infestation or rodent attractants which endanger the health of the animal or any person. This also includes disturbing or likely to disturb the enjoyment, comfort or convenience of any person in or about your residence. Our neighbours deserve to enjoy their surroundings.

Animals that reside outside in an enclosure or are kept outside unsupervised for extended periods of time require:

An enclosure area that is at least twice the length of the animal in all directions and not less than nine metres squared where one animal is housed
Where more than one animal is housed, the width and length shall be increased by one metre for each additional animal
Containing a maximum of three animals
Is a minimum height of one metre over and above the tallest animal
Contains a shelter which provides protection from the elements and is of sufficient size to allow each animal to turn around freely and lie in a normal position
Provides sufficient shade at all times
Is cleaned, including the removal of excrement, on a daily basis
Does not have wire mesh, metal or wooden slat flooring
Is not stacked with other enclosures and is not located off the ground
Is heated from Nov. 1 to April 30
Pregnant or nursing animals shall not be housed with any other animals other than their nursing offspring

Noise

It is natural for animals to bark and meow. Barking, howling or meowing excessively is a nuisance. Please ensure your pet is not making continual noise for 20 minutes. If your pet tends to bark while outside, please do not leave it out to cause a disturbance.

Off Leash and Off Property

Dogs or cats are prohibited from running at large. Dogs are prohibited from being off the owners property without being on a leash and wearing a City tag. Even though you are comfortable with animals, a lot of residents and children are not. This is for the safety of your pet and other residents comfort.

City public spaces are for everyone to enjoy, and roaming dogs present a danger to other people, pets, and property, as well as themselves. When off leash, an owner can never truly be in control of their pet's actions. An excited, distracted, or frightened dog can react in a manner that is not 'normal for them', leading to potentially dangerous people/pet interactions. Even if the dog is friendly, there are a number of citizens that are genuinely afraid of or intimidated by dogs, especially those not attached to its owner. Also, other dogs walking with their owners may be fearful and react aggressively toward other dogs. There are many dog parks in the City for your pet to enjoy time off leash. Please remember that sports fields are not permitted to use for dogs off leash.

Walking your dog on leash fosters pet/owner bond that is of benefit to both the dog and owners mental health.

Public Safety

Owners are responsible to ensure their pet does not:

Chase, bite or attack any person
Chase, bite or attack any domestic animal
Damage public or private property

Spaying and Neutering

Spaying and neutering are very important to control the pet population and for your pets health and wellbeing.

Spaying and Neutering Program

Stoop and Scoop

If your pet goes on any property other than your own, you must stoop and scoop the feces immediately. This shows respect for our neighbours and public space.

Tied On?

Owners are not to leave their animal unattended while tied or fastened to a fixed object where a choke collar or choke chain is securing them. Rope or cord is not to be tied directly around the animal's neck. The animal could slip out of this very easily or injure itself.