Exciting News & Updates!
In October of 2014 London City Council resolved to amend By-law PH-3, Animal Control By-law and
By-law PH-4, Dog Licensing & Control By-law.
What does this mean to you?
If you are interested in owning more cats,on their own or in combination with dogs,the limits have changed. The information below is applicable to new licensing and/or identification applications:
- The limit of cats per dwelling unit has increased as per the tiered structure shown here:
Tier # 1 – all units are permitted up to (3) cats and/or dogs maximum in any combination
Tier # 2 – in buildings that contain more than one dwelling unit, the maximum number of cats and dogs within a dwelling unit is (5) in any combination, with a maximum of (3) dogs. All newly licensed animals will require proof of spay or neutering.
Tier # 3 - In singled detached dwellings the maximum limit of cats and dogs has increased to (8) with no more that (3) dogs and provided all animals are spayed or neutered with proof of such.
Other changes:
- Newborns do not require a licence until 6 months of age
- Micro-chips are an acceptable form of identification for cats. Micro-chipped cats must be registeredannually but are no longer required to wear the identification tag (micro-chip information must be provided with the registration application, and updated when necessary with each renewal)
- Fostering provisions have been included
- Licensing fee structuring has changed to provide incentives for spay/neutering in combination with micro-chipping, as well as a discount for seniors (under By-law PH-3 and By-law PH-4 only)
…and aVERY UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY! London City Council has provided for a program that will run only until July 1, 2015. It is an amnesty program that would allow any cat or dog owner who at the time of the passing of the by-laws, November 1st, 2014, has more than the maximum permitted cats or dogs to license them all provided that the animals that were formerly non-complaint with the by-law regulations were spayed or neutered and the owner could provide proof of such.
What does this mean to the animals? The amendments are intended toexpand the scope of animal welfare in order to provide more opportunity for homeless animals that are stray or awaiting adoption to find forever homes. The amendments have also been designed to encourage and reward responsible pet ownership.
Note: The information contained herein is a summary of sections of By-laws PH-3 and PH-4. The by-law regulations prevail and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact London Animal Care.