Many families may have picked up a four-legged friend in the past year. It's important to residents to register any new pup they might have. 

Under the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw, this must be done every January. 

Notices were first mailed out to residents in December 2020 and have until the end of the month to complete their registration. 

Sgt. Peter Stapley, Municipal Enforcement Manager says registering your dog allows them to be returned faster if they run away but also pays for dog-related resources for residents to use within the town. 

 "It helps to fund things like the dog poop bag dispensers in the parks and it also pays for the dog license tags themselves and a free ride home. If your dog gets out and he's never been out before, if one of the officers ends up picking him up the first ride home is free for a licensed dog."

Municipal Enforcement Officers take an educational approach to inform residents who have not registered their dogs but fines may occur depending on the case. Current fees under the bylaw are $200 for failing to licence your dog and second offences occur it's raised to $400.

If residents are interested in having four or more dogs (up to a maximum of ten) they are required to individually license each dog and complete the Animal Fancier & Adoption License Application. This then must be submitted to Municipal Enforcement Services for approval.

In the Town of Okotoks, cats are not required to be licensed. However, under the bylaw, cat owners must ensure their pets do not defecate on public or privately owned property nor tear open garbage bags.

Current prices for licencing a dog in the Town of Okotoks:

Unaltered Dog - $100.00

Altered Dog (Spayed or Neutered - $25.00

Replacement of Lost Tags - $10.00

Seeing Eye/Guide Dog - Exempt

Animal Fancier & Adoption License - $150.00

To learn more about dog licensing, call Municipal Enforcement at 403-995-6302 or the Municipal Centre at 403-938-4404 or to visit their site click HERE.

 

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