One of the central purposes of local government is to set out rules and regulations that set limits or minimum standards for various activities.  The objective is to protect residents, or the community as a whole, from the actions of others without imposing unnecessary restrictions or onerous obligations on anyone.  In other words, bylaws exist to balance individual rights against collective responsibilities.  

In the case of the Animal Control Bylaw, any resident may own a dog for their own enjoyment. However, no dog owner may decrease their neighbors' enjoyment by letting the dog bark incessantly, act aggressively towards others, or otherwise harm someone else's quality of life. Dog owners also have a responsibility to not endanger the public (or the dog) by letting it run at large.  In addition, people will not always agree on how best to balance personal freedoms against their impacts on neighbors and other community members. The Animal Control Bylaw sets out the expectations for the responsibilities animal owners have within Village limits.  

Most people will follow these rules out of respect for their neighbors. However, sometimes people will only follow the rules in order to avoid a fine. This is why Council sets policies and bylaws, which are reviewed on a regular basis based on input from staff and community members.

All dogs over 6-months of age are required to be licensed (or as soon as reasonably possible after you become the dog's owner). A registered service dog is also required to be registered with the Village Office. To register your dog, complete the Application for Dog License Form below and pay the applicable fee at the office.

Every dog must have a collar to which the valid license tag is attached whenever the dog is off the premises of the owner.

Every household is limited to a maximum of 3 dogs.

Dogs must be under the control of their owner, either by being kept on the property by a fence or lead, or by being on a leash (no more than 6.5 feet in length) or harness. Dogs at the off leash dog park still need to be able to be accompanied by their owner, and capable of being leashed if they become a nuisance. 

Dog owners must not allow their dog to defecate on public property, or another person's private property, or else must clean up after their dogs immediately. Dog owners must also not allow pet feces to accumulate on their own property to the point where they are deemed a health hazard.

Dogs should not be permitted to bark or howl excessively, so that they create a nuisance for neighbors. 

Dog owners are responsible for ensuring their dog does not bite, attack, or injure other people or pets. 

An owner of an intact female dog shall keep said dog indoors at times during the period the dog is in heat.

Familiarize yourself with the Animal Control Bylaw .

Lifetime dog license for a neutered or spayed dog is $25
Lifetime dog license for an intact dog is $50
Service Dog is $0

Replacement license tags are $5

Having a license with up to date contact information helps your dog get returned to you as soon as possible, and is also part of responsible pet ownership. If you have a current license, and your dog ends up getting out and impounded, the first time your dog is impounded it will be returned to you free of charge.

The revenue from the dog license program helps cover some of the costs for when the Village is required to impound a dog as well as for bylaw enforcement related to animal control. for running the animal shelter like heat, power and building maintenance. It also helps cover some of the costs for bylaw officers to respond to animal calls.

Knowing how many dogs and dog owners are in the community can also help Council make decisions about policies and bylaws related to pets. 

If a dog is found running at large in the community a designated officer may apprehend, restrain, receive and detain any dog found at large; or any person of legal age may restrain a dog found at large and deliver it to the Village Office where it will then be impounded. If it has a dog license the Village will immediately attempt to contact the owner according to the information provided in the Application for Dog License. If there is no license, or the contact information is out of date, we will post post publicly a picture of the dog as a means to locate to the owner.

All impound fees must be paid before the dog will be released. In addition to impound fees, penalties for a dog running at large, unlicensed dog, failure to attach a license tag, or any other applicable offence, shall be added to the fees to reclaim the dog.

If a dog with a current license is impounded, the Village will waive the impound fees for a first occurrence.

If a dog is left for 72 hours without being claimed, it may be adopted out, taken to an animal rescue or humanely disposed of.

Familiarize yourself with the Animal Control Bylaw .

No. Cats are exempt from licensing, however a cat must have a collar to which an identification tag is attached whenever the cat is off the premises of the owner.

There is a maximum limit of four (4) cats allowed per household. 

An owner of an intact female cat shall keep said cat indoors at times during the period the cat is in heat.

Familiarize yourself with the Animal Control Bylaw.

Livestock animals are not permitted to be kept within Village limits (there are some exceptions like horses, to a maximum of 2 on a site of at least 10 acres).

Exotic pets, such as venomous snakes and other animals that may create a health hazard, are not permitted to be kept within city limits.

The Village does not provide pest control services. Pest control services are available through local commercial operations.

Familiarize yourself with the Animal Control Bylaw.

The Animal Protection Act applies to all residents of Saskatchewan, and protects animals from abuse and neglect. The provincial Animal Protection Services will investigate and enforce the Animal Protection Act. Under the Act, no person shall cause an animal to be in distress, which includes if it is:

• deprived of food or water sufficient to maintain the animal in a state of good health;

• deprived of care or shelter;

• deprived of veterinary care or medical attention;

• in need of reasonable protection from injurious heat or cold;

• wounded, ill, in pain, suffering, abused or neglected;

• kept in conditions that: are unsanitary; will significantly impair the animal’s health or well being over time; cause the animal anxiety or suffering; or contravene the prescribed standards, codes of practice or guidelines;

• abandoned by its owner or by a person responsible for the animal in a manner that causes, or is likely to cause, distress resulting from any or all the factors listed.

If any animal is kept in unsanitary conditions, with lack of proper quality and quantity of food, and/or show extreme neglect, this would be reported to Animal Protection Services.