Council approves updated Animal Care and Control Bylaw

The City’s bylaws for all things paws and claws is getting a modernization.

During its January 21 meeting, City Council approved the Animal Care and Control Bylaw. Bylaw 6475 replaces the Dog Control Bylaw, the Wild or Domestic Animals Bylaw and the Pigeon Bylaw. The new bylaw comes into effect May 1, 2025.

“This is a timely consolidation,” says Duane Ens, General Manager of Regulatory Services. “The Dog Control Bylaw is two decades old, the Pigeon Bylaw hasn’t been revised since 1965 and the Wild or Domestic Animals Bylaw was last amended in 1983. The new bylaw makes it easier for the public and authorities to access information on animal regulations.”

Feedback from the public, stakeholders and municipalities helped shape the new bylaw. Key updates include:

• The introduction of specific regulations for cats, including a restriction of no more than six cats per household.
• New rules for a permit process to support an Urban Hen Pilot Program, if approved.
• A low-cost microchipping program in mid-2025. It will offer microchips for cats and dogs to help reunite lost pets with their owners. The existing Voluntary Cat Licensing Program is included in this new initiative.

“We’re excited to offer the public low-cost microchipping,” says Skylar Plourde, Director of Services and Enforcement at Community Animal Services. “Microchipped cats and dogs are more likely to be quickly reunited with their families, benefiting the entire community. Additionally, we are pleased to share this program will be cost-neutral for the City.”

Other small, but impactful changes include dog owners personalizing their best friend’s bling. Each dog receives a standardized tag, but many owners have expressed a desire to customize their own. The new bylaw allows owners to use their own tags, provided they include the City issued license number. 

Public education for the Animal Care and Control Bylaw will continue ahead of May 1. The public is invited to learn more at the Community Conversation happening Wednesday, January 29 at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena. Updates are also available by subscribing on the Get Involved Lethbridge website.

Media Contact:
media@lethbridge.ca