Animals and pets
Use this page to report an issue, buy or renew a dog licence or register a backyard hen. Learn more about pet care and coexisting with wildlife.
We are now partnering with Docupet for our dog licensing program. Learn how to buy or renew a licence below.
On this page
- Report an animal issue
- Buy or renew a dog licence
- Register a backyard hen
- Dog regulations
- Dog parks and waste containers
- Cat regulations
- Feeding wildlife
- Coyotes and wildlife
Report an animal issue
The keeping, feeding and treatment of animals is outlined in our animal control bylaw.
Contact the Humane Society at 519-745-5615 to report:
- off-leash or stray pets
- a lost/found pet
- a dog bite
- a dead domestic animal
- dead wildlife on public property (no pickup fee)
- dead wildlife on private property (pickup fees may apply)
Contact the Province of Ontario at 1-833-926-4625 to report animals that:
- are injured, in pain, sick, suffering or abused
- lack proper care, water, food or shelter
Contact the Waterloo Regional Police non-emergency line at 519-570-9777 to report:
- pet related noise violations
- a dog locked in a hot vehicle - have the location, licence plate, make and model of the vehicle to locate and rescue the dog
Buy or renew a dog licence
Dog licences help us reunite dog owners with lost pets. Fees support animal services and outreach. Rules include:
- you must license all dogs older than 12 weeks
- a dog must wear the tag on its collar at all times
- dog licences are valid for one year from the date of purchase or renewal
- a fine may apply if your dog is not licensed
Buy or renew a dog licence
Contact Docupet
We are now partnering with Docupet for our dog licensing program. Please contact them if you have questions about buying or renewing a dog licence:
- email info@docupet.com
- call 1-855-249-1370, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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Benefits of licensing your dog |
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We are now partnering with Docupet for our dog licensing program. Licensing your dog includes:
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Follow these steps to buy or renew a dog licence |
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If you need accessibility accommodations, interpretation services or don't have reliable access to a computer or the internet, you can buy or renew a dog licence in person at the municipal enforcement counter at City Hall, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
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Annual dog licence fees |
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Replacement tags are $12.00. We do not charge service dogs. |
Register a backyard hen
In 2021 city council voted to allow backyard hens in Waterloo.
You can register up to 4 hens. The cost is $27.05 and the registration must be renewed every year.
Avian flu confirmed present in southern Ontario
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza, subtype H5N1, in the southern region of Ontario. Avian Influenza is a contagious viral infection that can affect all species of birds (poultry, exotic and pet birds, and wild birds).
Your backyard hens and pet birds could be at risk of catching the bird flu from wild birds which naturally carry influenza viruses. There is no treatment for birds that become infected with the disease. Learn how to protect your flock and identify signs your birds may be sick on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.
The Province of Ontario has also shared some information on protecting domestic flocks.
In rare cases, humans can become infected. Find more information about risks to humans from Health Canada's website.
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Hen rules and regulations |
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Hens must be kept:
Coops or runs must:
Hens must:
You're not allowed to sell eggs or any hen products. Report a hen issueIf you have a concern about hens or coops, email municipalenforcement@waterloo.ca or call us at 519-747-8785 or TTY (for people who are deaf or hard of hearing) at 1-866-786-3941. |
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Register a hen online |
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Register a hen by mail or in person |
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Tips for keeping hens |
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Owners can reduce the risk of illness by:
Pests and predators can be avoided by:
The Waterloo Backyard Hens Facebook group can help you connect with other owners. They have information on setting up coops and where to purchase chicks locally. |
Dog regulations
Dog licences are required in Waterloo. Other rules include:
- keep your dog on a leash
- pick up waste and dispose of it properly
- drop it into a dog waste recycling container
- use a compostable bag and bring the waste home to your green bin
- dogs over 12 weeks old must be licensed (find section above)
- limit of three dogs per household
- the dangerous dog bylaw relates to dangerous dogs and regulation of pit bulls
- Call the Waterloo Region Police non-emergency line at 519-570-9777 to report excessive barking or noise
Dog parks and waste containers
Dog parks
There is a large leash-free dog area at the south end of Bechtel Park.
We're building a new leash-free dog park on the west side of the city — opening Spring 2025. Learn more about the Copper Street dog park on our Engage website.
Dog waste
Two options for disposing of dog waste in Waterloo are:
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Use any bag to pick up your dog's poop and deposit it in a poop power container. Most of the container is installed underground to contain the smell. A dog waste removal company transports the waste to a facility where it is converted into energy.
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Use a compostable bag and take the dog poop home to your green bin. This method won't make any poop power, but you're still being responsible and diverting it from the landfill! Review information about using a green bin for pet waste on the Region of Waterloo website.
| Find dog waste disposal units on a map |
| Parks with dog waste recycling units |
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Compostable bags are not required for use. If there isn't a container at your park, dispose of dog waste at home.
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Cat regulations
Cat licences are not required in Waterloo. Keep your cat or kitten in a manner that limits:
- offensive odours
- noise that may disturb others
- straying or roaming
- accumulation of feces
Feeding wildlife
Feeding wildlife might seem harmless, but it can cause serious issues for both animals and our community. Here's why:
- Changes natural instincts: When we feed wild animals, we alter their instincts. They start expecting food from people, leading to more unwanted encounters in our community.
- Attracts larger wildlife: Feeding small animals like birds, squirrels, or rabbits can draw in larger wildlife, increasing the chances of unwanted encounters in our community.
- Unhealthy human food: Human food is not good for animals. Make sure to properly dispose of food and garbage at home and in parks.
Under our Animal control bylaw, you can't feed wildlife if it causes a nuisance.
Our parks and green spaces offer a natural habitat where animals can thrive. Wild animals don't need help or food from people. Let's all work together to ensure the well-being of our wildlife.
Coyotes and wildlife
We share our community with wildlife, including coyotes. Learn how to protect yourself, your home and your pets from unwanted encounters.
Coyote tips
The Eastern Coyote is an intelligent and curious animal that helps control rodent populations. They travel through local green spaces like parks, trails and riverbanks.
Coyotes are more visible during certain seasons:
- winter mating (January to February)
- finding a den and rearing pups (April to June)
- pups leave the den (September to October)
| What to do if you come across a coyote |
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Keep your distance, and a coyote will likely avoid you. Like all urban wildlife, they're looking for food, water, and shelter. If the coyote is approaching you or in an area that you're not comfortable with (your backyard, a busy park):
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| Protect your property from coyotes |
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If coyotes visit a neighbourhood, it’s likely due to an available food source. Reduce encounters with coyotes by making changes to your property:
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| Protect your pets from coyotes |
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While coyotes generally avoid humans, they can pose a risk to pets. To avoid coyote and pet conflicts:
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Relocating coyotes is illegal |
| Capturing and moving them more than 1 km away violates Ontario's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. |
Reporting coyotes
Keep your distance, and a coyote will likely avoid you:
- if a coyote poses an immediate threat to safety, call 911
- to report a sick or injured coyote on public property, please contact Coyote Watch Canada, a not-for-profit organization that advocates for positive human and wildlife experiences
- to report dead coyotes or wildlife, contact the Humane Society at 519-745-5615
The Ministry of Natural Resources also shares tips for preventing and managing conflicts with coyotes.