Responsible Pet Ownership

Pet owners in Richmond Hill must follow our local rules and regulations to ensure pets are properly cared for, loved and a welcome part of the community. Follow local by-laws to be a responsible owner, a good neighbour and to show proper care for your pet.

Pet owners who fail to comply with by-law regulations may be ticketed and fined.

Animal Services Adopt-a-Thon - November 12

Looking to give a pet a 'fur-ever' home? Learn more about the adopt-a-thon on November 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. being held by Vaughan Animal Services (Richmond Hill's animal services provider). No appointment needed. Learn more at Vaughan.ca/AnimalServices.

Pet owner responsibilities

As a pet owner in Richmond Hill you must:

• Licence your dog every year and make sure they always wear a collar with the licence attached.
• Stoop and Scoop - pick up any mess made by your pet and place it in the correct waste container.
• Keep your pet on a leash whenever you're in a public area, unless you are at an official off leash dog area.

Additional tips for responsible pet owners:

• Spay or neuter your pet to reduce pet overpopulation and to get a discount on your annual dog licence.
• Discourage consistent barking, howling or whining.
• Exercise and socialize your pet.
• Provide your pet with appropriate food and clean fresh water every day.
• Provide your pet with medical care, including up-to-date vaccinations and annual check-ups.
• Give your pet lots of love and attention every day.

Winter Pet Safety

Please be mindful of your pets during the winter months. Some tips to keep in mind, with information from the Toronto Humane Society's Animal Talk Fact Sheet:

• If you need to bundle up, so does your pet! In very cold weather, put a warm coat on your short-haired dog and take short walks (only a few minutes).
• Long-haired dogs should not be outside for more than 20 minutes in very cold weather. They are just as susceptible to sudden temperature changes as you are.
• Animals can suffer from frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite is most common on your pet's paws. Symptoms of frostbite may not appear until a couple of days after exposure. Signs to watch for are swollen paws and your pet fussing over the area. If this happens, take your pet to your veterinarian immediately. On the way, wrap your pet in dry warm blankets and apply a warm (not hot) water bottle to the affected area.
• If your dog is outside with you a lot in the winter, he will need more calories to produce body heat, so increase the amount you feed him.
• If your pet gets very little exercise during the winter, decrease his calorie intake to avoid excess weight gain.
• Antifreeze tastes good to pets, but it's a deadly poison. Keep an eye out for antifreeze puddles. If you suspect your pet has ingested antifreeze, rush him to your veterinarian immediately. The most likely source of the poison is a radiator drainage spot in a garage or parking area, which should be flushed with water immediately.
• When you're outside with your pet, watch out for chemicals used to melt snow on sidewalks - they can irritate your pet's paws. Always remember to wipe his paws with a wet cloth after an outing and remove the ice between his paw pads. If your dog's paws look sore or irritated, apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly. You can also purchase commercial boots to protect his paws from the elements.