FAQsRegistration
Lost and Found Pets
RegistrationWhat are the fees for registering my cat or dog?The fees are listed below. Proof of sterilization and microchipping is required. Acceptable types of proof include:
Registering your cat or dog is an annual requirement with the exception of Lifetime registrations. There are a variety of ways in which you can apply for your cat or dog registration.
Mail the application along with your payment to: Cat or Dog Registration, By-law Services You will receive a numbered metal tag, which should be worn on your pet’s collar/harness, particularly when outside of your home. Why do I need to register and vaccinate (against rabies) my cat or dog?Regardless of a cat's/dog's and its owner's lifestyle, the City of Ottawa requires that all cats/dogs be registered on an annual basis. Your pet's tag is its identification, ensuring that it can be returned to you. The tag also lets others know that your cat or dog has a home. Losing a pet can be a traumatic experience for both the owner and the pet. By identifying and registering your cat or dog with the City of Ottawa, you are helping to ensure that your pet is reunited with you if it becomes lost. It has been our experience that a cat or dog with a registration tag attached to its collar/harness is often returned to the owner the same day that it is found. Without one, the owner must search all nearby shelters and animal hospitals looking for his/her cat or dog. In addition, pursuant to the Health Protection and Promotion Act, all cats and dogs must be vaccinated against rabies. For more information, contact the Public Health Branch 3-1-1 or visit ottawa.ca. Where does the money collected through cat or dog registration go?The fees collected through pet registration helps the City return lost pets to their homes. The fees do not however even come close to recovering the costs associated with administration and enforcement of the Animal Care and Control By-law or the costs of housing stray pets at the municipal animal shelter. How do I update my cat or dog's registration information?In order to keep accurate and up-to-date records, we ask you to please provide us with any updated information related to either you or your pet(s). Updated information (e.g., new mailing address, phone number, etc.) can be updated online or sent via mail to: Cat or Dog Registration, By-law Services OR, via fax to: 613-580-2719 OR, via e-mail to pet.inquiries@ottawa.ca You may renew your cat or dog registration on-line only if you received, by mail, a renewal notice from the City of Ottawa. The notice includes a Renewal Stub showing information about your pet that we have on file currently, and providing a Reference Number for each pet. I recently moved to Ottawa. I had my cat/dog registered at my old place of residence. Can I transfer my registration to you or do I need to obtain a new one?We cannot accept cat or dog registrations from other municipalities. You will need to re-apply with the City of Ottawa for a new cat or dog registration. Given the new “pit bull” regulations, are there any special rules about registering “pit bulls”?Yes. In light of the Province’s new Dog Owners' Liability Act and associated regulations banning "pit bulls" and regulating existing "pit bulls", the City may only register/license “pit bulls” which:
Such dogs are referred to as "restricted pit bulls", more commonly known as "grandfathered". These "pit bulls" may remain in Ontario. The City may NOT legally register/license “pit bulls” which do not fall within the above-noted category. Such dogs are referred to as "prohibited pit bulls". Additional information on the provincial legislation may be obtained from the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General’s website at http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about/pubs/dola-pubsfty/dola-pubsfty.asp#TOC_04. For more information on the municipal role with respect to the legislation, contact Christine Hartig, By-law Services Project/Policy Officer, at 580-2424, ext. 25629. How can I prove that my dog is a “restricted pit bull” to be able to register it?If there is any question as to whether or not the dog is "restricted" or "prohibited", the onus proof is on the applicant. Copies of previous Ontario pet registrations, veterinary records, animal shelter claim or adoption records, breeder records, or family photos of the same dog may be used as proof of the dog's status, i.e. date of residence or birth. What is a “pit bull”?Under the Province’s Dog Owners’ Liability Act, "pit bull” includes, (a) a pit bull terrier, (b) a Staffordshire bull terrier, (c) an American Staffordshire terrier, (d) an American pit bull terrier, (e) a dog that has an appearance and physical characteristics that are substantially similar to those of dogs referred to in any of clauses (a) to (d). Item (e) does NOT include a purebred dog of another type where the owner provides proof thereof, such as breed/kennel club registration papers. How do I replace a lost dog or cat tag?If the metal tag becomes lost, damaged or worn out, it can be replaced free of charge by forwarding your request to the address or e-mail above or by faxing it to Pet Registration at 613-580-2719. Please include your name, address and tag number. Lost and Found PetsWhat should I do if I've lost my cat/dog?As soon as you notice that your cat or dog is missing, immediately check around your home and neighbourhood. Ask friends and neighbours if they have seen your pet and if so, when and where. If your pet is not found after your initial search, contact the City of Ottawa at 3-1-1 or the Ottawa Humane Society at 613-725-9998 to file a lost pet report. Be prepared to provide a description of your pet, a registration tag number, and a microchip number, if applicable. Visit the local animal shelter in person and bring a colour photograph of your pet. The local shelter is at the Ottawa Humane Society located at 101 Champagne Avenue South, Ottawa. If your pet is not wearing a tag or does not have microchip identification, only you can visibly identify your missing pet. Make sure you also check your local veterinary clinics as, often, residents who find a lost pet, take it to the nearest animal hospital. Place notices, preferably with a photograph of your missing pet, at local stores and animal hospitals. Place your own advertisements in the lost and found sections of the local newspapers and ask the local radio and cable stations if they will mention your lost pet. Don't give up. Sometimes a lost cat or dog will turn up months later. I have found a lost cat/dog. What should I do?If you have found a lost cat/dog and it is wearing a City of Ottawa registration tag, contact the City at 3-1-1. By-law Services staff are available to check our database, to locate the registered owner, during the following hours of operation: May long weekend to Labour Day: Other times of year: If you have found a cat/dog that is not wearing a City of Ottawa tag, please take it to the Ottawa Humane Society (613-725-3166 – call first for hours of operation) or call 3-1-1 if you require assistance. The pet will be scanned for a microchip, which may provide information on the registered owner and can be checked against lost animal reports. An animal was hit by a car and is lying on the sidewalk. Who do I call?If you come across an animal that has been hit by a car, and the animal is still alive but injured, contact the Ottawa Humane Society at 613-725-3166 (press 1). If the animal is no longer alive, contact the City of Ottawa at 3-1-1. |
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