Animal Services

An annual dog licence fee of $30 per dog must be paid before March 15 each year. For applications submitted after March 15, the fee is $40 per dog.

Once payment has been received, the dog tag (medal) and receipt will be mailed to the address provided.

Please note that a maximum of two (2) dogs are authorized per address.

Register your dog in person with the Finance department at Door 3 of Town Hall at 600 Higginson St, Hawkesbury. 

Benefits of a Dog Licence:

• Helps ensure your dog can be quickly identified and returned if lost
• Allows municipal staff to contact you promptly when your pet is found

Reminder:

Please notify the Town if you no longer own your dog, so municipal records can be kept up to date.

Contact: 

By-Law Department

• Telephone: 613-632-0106 
• E-mail: infobylaw@hawkesbury.ca

Lost Dogs

If your dog goes missing:

• Contact the By-law Department immediately to report your lost dog.
• If your dog is licensed and wearing a tag, you will be contacted as soon as it is found.
• If your dog is not tagged, a photo and description of found dogs are posted on the Town’s Facebook page to help locate the owner.
• Dogs that are not claimed within 5 business days will be made available for adoption through a local shelter.

Important:

• Please note that fees will apply for dogs found and picked up by the Town. All applicable fees must be paid when reclaiming your dog. 

Found Dogs

If you find a loose dog:

• Notify the By-law Department if you see a dog running loose without an owner.
• If you are able to safely secure the dog, By-law staff will come and pick it up.
  • Safety warning: do not approach or handle a dog that appears aggressive, fearful, or poses a risk to your safety.
• If the dog has a valid tag, the owner will be contacted directly.

Contact (during & after hours): 

• By-Law department dispatch: 613-632-1105

Found dogs that are unclaimed by their owner after 5 business days are put up for adoption. 

To support this effort, the Town partners with local dog shelters and rescue organizations. Dogs that are not reclaimed within the designated holding period are transferred to a shelter, where they receive care and are placed for adoption.

• To see dogs available for adoption, click here.

Note: the Town encourages you to donate to your local shelter to help support animal rescue and care programs.

The Town of Hawkesbury's Animal Control By-law regulates the types and number of animals that may be kept in residential dwelling units.

What is a Domestic Animal?

A domestic animal is a tame animal kept in a household for companionship or amusement. Examples include dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits.

Limits on Domestic Animals

Residents may keep a maximum of four (4) domestic animals in a residential dwelling unit, with no more than two (2) dogs. These limits apply whether the animals are owned, fostered, or boarded.

Responsible Pet Ownership

All pet owners are expected to follow basic etiquette to ensure a safe and respectful community:

• Keep noise to a minimum to avoid disturbing neighbours
• Keep dogs on a leash at all times in public spaces
• Clean up after your pet and dispose of waste properly
• Maintain control of your animal, especially if it shows aggressive behaviour

Prohibited Animals

Animals that are not typically kept as household pets, including farm animals and exotic animals, are not considered domestic animals under the by-law. The keeping of certain animals is prohibited within the Town, including:

• Exotic animals, such as wild or non-domesticated species that are not suitable household pets.
• Farm animals, including livestock and poultry typically associated with agricultural operations.
• Dog breeds prohibited under Ontario's Dog Owners' Liability Act.

Important: Owning prohibited animals, including wild or farm animals, may result in fines as outlined in the municipal by-law.

By-Laws

More details on permitted and prohibited domestic animals are outlined in the following by-laws: 

• Animal Control By-law N°36-2020
• Exotic Animals By-law N°18-2024

These by-laws can be found on our Municipal Policies and By-Laws page.

Contact

For questions, enforcement, or to report concerns related to domestic animals, please contact the By-law Department.

• Telephone: 613-632-1105
• E-mail: infobylaw@hawkesbury.ca

Wildlife

This section contains information about live wild animals that may be seen within the Town of Hawkesbury. For your safety and the well-being of wildlife, do not approach, touch, or feed wild animals under any circumstances. More details are outlined in the By-law N°19-2024 - Feeding Wild Animals.

Small wild animals:

• Examples include squirrels, raccoons, skunks, groundhogs, and similar animals. 
• Do not feed or attempt to capture the animal and contact a local licensed trapper for assistance.

Large wild animals:

• Examples include wild turkeys, foxes, deer, and other larger animals.
• If the animal is healthy and poses no threat, it is advised to simply keep your distance and to not attempt to feed, move or capture the animal. 
• If the animal is injured, sick, or trapped, do not feed or attempt to capture the animal and contact the OPP's non-emergency assistance number: 1-888-310-1122

Dangerous or predatory wildlife:

• If you encounter a predatory wild animal, such as a bear, or any wildlife that poses an immediate threat to public safety, move to a safe location immediately and call 911 (Ontario Provincial Police).

Roadkill

The following information applies to dead animals located on public roads and municipal property only. Dead animals found on private property are the responsibility of the property owner.

Dead domestic animals:

• If you find a deceased domestic animal, such as a dog or cat, on a public roadway or municipal property, contact the Town's By-law Department: 613-632-1105

Dead wildlife:

• If you find deceased wildlife on a public roadway or municipal property, contact the Town's Public Works Department: 613-632-0106