How do I go about changing my mailing address for my dog licence?
Where are the animal shelters and when are they open to the public?
There is a bat in my house, what should I do?
Do I need to license my cat?
What should I do if I or my pet have been bitten by a dog?
How much does a dog licence cost?
Where do I purchase, renew, cancel or replace a dog licence?
Who is responsible for picking up after dogs?
Do I have to get my dog licensed and vaccinated, he never leaves the house?
How do I report an injured or dead animal?
My dog passed away after I got a licence; can I get a refund?
How do I report a lost or found animal?
How many pets may I have in my home?
What do you do about dogs defecating or dogs off leash in a park or on private or public property?
My neighbour complains about my cat being outside. Is there a by-law that states I have to keep it on a lead when it’s outside?
What is the process to renew or cancel a dog licence?
I am a senior/disabled person; do I need to provide identification when purchasing a dog licence?
How do I go about changing my mailing address for my dog licence?
It is not necessary to fill out a change of address form or write a letter to have your address changed. Simply use one of the following options to update your information:
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by fax to: 905-546-4044
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by phone to: 905-574-3433, Ext. #4
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by visiting our shelter at 247 Dartnall Road, Hamilton (rear of the SPCA building) The hours of operation are as follows:
Monday – Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday & Sunday 10am - 2pm
Closed on Holidays
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You may also visit any of the following locations
Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm:
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Municipal Law Enforcement (Licensing)
Hamilton City Centre, 77 James Street North, Suite #250
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Citizen Service Centre - City Hall
71 Main Street West - 1st Floor
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Ancaster Municipal Service Centre
300 Wilson Street
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Dundas Municipal Service Centre
60 Main Street
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Flamborough Municipal Service Centre
7 Innovation Drive
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Glanbrook Municipal Service Centre
4280 Binbrook Road
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Stoney Creek Municipal Service Centre
777 Highway No. 8
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Where are the animal shelters and when are they open to the public?
Hamilton, Ancaster, Dundas and Stoney Creek - Hamilton Animal Services
(905) 574-3433
247 Dartnall Road, Hamilton, ON L8W 3V9
Monday – Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday & Sunday 10am - 2pm
Closed on Holidays
Flamborough Animal Services
(905) 981-8188
1854 Trinity Road, Ancaster ON L9G 3L1
Mon. – Fri. 9am - 6pm,
Sat. 9am - 1pm
Closed on Sundays and Holidays
Glanbrook District Animal Control
(905)692-0114
107 Binbrook Road, Binbrook, ON L0R 1C0
Mon. – Fri. 9am - 6pm,
Sat. 9am - 1pm
Closed on Sundays and Holidays
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There is a bat in my house, what should I do?
If the bat is visible in living areas (such as living room, bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, etc…), contact Animal Services to come and attempt to remove the bat.
- Ancaster, Dundas, Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Flamborough and Glanbrook - Hamilton Animal Services (905) 574-3433
If the bat is not visible (you think it's in your attic, chimney, etc.), you'll need to look in the yellow pages of the telephone directory for a pest control company to retrieve the bat.
If you believe you may have come in contact with a bat, please contact Public Health at 905-546-3500.
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Do I need to license my cat?
No, the City of Hamilton does not, at this time, have a by-law that requires the licensing of cats.
However, for a fee of $13.00, a registration tag can be provided for your cat to wear for identification purposes in the event that your cat goes missing, and the owner information will be retained in the Animal Services database. The tag issued for a cat is a lifetime tag and a renewal fee is not needed to be paid each year.
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What should I do if I or my pet have been bitten by a dog?
Immediately seek medical attention if required.
Report the bite to the Public Health Department at 905-546-3500.
If you have an immediate public safety concern (the dog is at large) or you wish Animal Services to investigate, contact the Animal Service provider for your area:
- Ancaster, Dundas, Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Flamborough and Glanbrook - Hamilton Animal Services
(905) 574-3433 ext 1
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How much does a dog licence cost?
REGULAR RATE FOR 1 YEAR:
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Altered - $28.00*
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Unaltered - $64.00
SENIOR/ DISABILITY PENSION RATE FOR 1 YEAR:
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Altered - $14.00*
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Unaltered - $32.00
The Senior Rate applies to a dog owner who is 65 years and older. Proof of age must be supplied at the time the dog licence is purchased.
The Disability Rate applies to a dog owner who is receives a Government Disability Pension. Proof must be provided at the time the dog licence is purchased.
* "Altered" indicates that the dog has been spayed or neutered. Proof that the dog is spayed or neutered must be provided at the time the licence is purchased.
Puppies under the age of 6 months may pay the Altered rate for the first year only. Upon renewal, proof of alteration must be provided to continue to receive the discounted rate.
Certified Guide Dogs and Police Work Dogs are licensed free of charge. Proof of Guide Dog status or Police Work Dog status must be provided at the time the licence is obtained.
The cost of a replacement tag for lost or damaged tags is $11.00.
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Where do I purchase, renew, cancel or replace a dog licence?
1. You can pick up an application (a copy of the dog licence application is available at: www.hamilton.ca/animalservices) and pay for your dog licence at any of the following locations:
- Hamilton Animal Services
247 Dartnall Road (rear of the SPCA building)
Hamilton ON L8W 3V9
(905) 574-3433
Mon – Fri 8:30am - 4:30pm Sat & Sun 10am - 2pm
Closed on Holidays
- Municipal Law Enforcement (Licensing)
Hamilton City Centre
77 James Street North, Suite #250
Hamilton ON
Mon - Fri 8:30am - 4:30pm
- Flamborough Animal Services
1854 Trinity Road
Ancaster ON L9G 3L1
(905) 981-8188
- Glanbrook District Animal Control
107 Binbrook Road
Binbrook ON L0R 1C0
(905) 692-0114
Or by visiting one of the local Municipal Service Centres:
Hours: Mon - Fri 8:30am - 4:30pm
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Ancaster: 300 Wilson Street East
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Dundas : 60 Main Street
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Flamborough: 7 Innovation Drive
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Glanbrook: 4280 Binbrook Road
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Hamilton: Citizen Service Centre (City Hall) - 71 Main Street West - 1st Floor
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Stoney Creek: 777 Highway No. 8
2. On-line by visiting: www.hamilton.ca/animalservices
To view the application and payment methods:
www.hamilton.ca/CityDepartments/PlanningEcDev/Divisions/ParkingBylawServices/AnimalControl/AnimalLicensing/
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Who is responsible for picking up after dogs?
All dog owners are responsible for picking up after their dogs on all public and private properties.
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Do I have to get my dog licensed and vaccinated, he never leaves the house?
Yes, all dogs in the City of Hamilton must be licensed each year. Ontario Rabies Immunization Regulation 567 under the Health Protection and Promotion Act requires that every owner in the City of Hamilton having the care and custody of a cat or dog three (3) months of age or older shall ensure that the animal is immunized against rabies.
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How do I report an injured or dead animal?
To report an injured or dead animal, you can call the following office for the listed areas:
- Ancaster, Dundas, Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Flamborough and Glanbrook - Hamilton Animal Services
(905) 574-3433
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My dog passed away after I got a licence; can I get a refund?
Refunds may be requested in the event that an owner pays for their animal licence, and the animal passes away or is euthanized on or before 30 days from the date of purchase, returns the dog tag and provides proof that the dog has been euthanized or has passed away.
Any requests for refund that exceed the 30 day period shall not be entitled to the refund or credit.
All requests for refunds must be requested in writing to the Supervisor of Municipal Law Enforcement, Animal Control Services, 247 Dartnall Road, Hamilton, ON L8W 3V9.
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How do I report a lost or found animal?
To report an animal that you have lost or found, please contact:
- Ancaster, Dundas, Hamilton and Stoney Creek - Hamilton Animal Services
(905) 574-3433 ext 3
- Flamborough - Flamborough Animal Services
(905) 981-8188
- Glanbrook - Glanbrook District Animal Control
(905) 692-0114
We have an on-line reporting system that will assist you in searching for your lost pet or the owner of a lost pet from the comfort of your home. Please visit our website at: www.hamilton.ca/animalcontrol - click the link for Lost & Found Services and then choose the link for I have LOST my Pet or I have FOUND someone Else’s Pet. After you post a report, the system will automatically e-mail you when there is a potential match for the missing animal. All strays in our shelter are posted here.
We recommend that owners searching for their lost pet, continue visiting the shelter at least every 3 days.
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How many pets may I have in my home?
A limit of any combination of four domestic animals are permitted per household in urban areas. In some rural and agricultural areas, the numbers and types of animals permitted may be found in the Zoning by-laws. For more detailed information regarding the numbers and types of animals permitted in urban areas, please refer to By-Law 12-031, For Responsible Animal Ownership in the City of Hamilton. You may also contact Animal Services at (905) 574-3433 for more information regarding numbers and types of animals permitted.
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What do you do about dogs defecating or dogs off leash in a park or on private or public property?
You may phone the Animal Control Service provider for your area:
- Ancaster, Dundas, Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Flamborough and Glanbrook - Hamilton Animal Services
(905) 574-3433
If there is a specific time of day the offences are occurring please contact Animal Services with this information.
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My neighbour complains about my cat being outside. Is there a by-law that states I have to keep it on a lead when it’s outside?
In the new By-Law respecting Animal Ownership, ‘owned’ cats that roam or are ‘at large’ will be regulated in the same way as dogs, with the exception that cats will not need to be licensed. What has changed is that cats will be treated in a similar way to dogs and they will not be allowed to leave your property and wander around your neighbourhood unless your neighbours are ok with this. This new By-law emphasizes the importance of responsible pet/animal ownership.
Enforcement of this would follow similar process like other By-law complaints where the owner would first receive a warning informing them that there are concerns about their cat(s) ‘at large’ and would ask them to ensure that their cat(s) remains on their property. If the concern is not addressed then staff could follow up with more progressive measures such as issuing a ticket etc.
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What is the process to renew or cancel a dog licence?
A Renewal Notice is mailed to the dog owner approximately 6 weeks prior to the Expiry date. All Notifications of Renewal for Licences are a Courtesy Only. Failure to receive a licence renewal notice or any other notification does not exempt any owner from their legal requirement to maintain a valid licence for their pet.
To renew an existing licence, you may return the Renewal Notice with payment:
- by mail to: 247 Dartnall Road, Hamilton ON L8W 3V9 (Please do not send cash in the mail.)
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by visiting our shelter at: 247 Dartnall Road, Hamilton (rear of the SPCA building).
The hours of operation are as follows:
Monday – Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday & Sunday 10am - 2pm
Closed on Holidays
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by fax to: 905-546-4044
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by visiting any of the following locations:
Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm:
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Municipal Law Enforcement (Licensing), Hamilton City Centre, 77 James Street North, Suite #250
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Citizen Service Centre - City Hall - 71 Main Street West - 1st Floor
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Ancaster Municipal Service Centre - 300 Wilson Street
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Dundas Municipal Service Centre - 60 Main Street
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Flamborough Municipal Service Centre - 7 Innovation Drive
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Glanbrook Municipal Service Centre - 4280 Binbrook Road
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Stoney Creek Municipal Service Centre - 777 Highway No. 8
- by contacting one of the following Animal Control Service Providers:
- Flamborough Animal Services
1854 Trinity Road
Ancaster ON L9G 3L1
(905) 981-8188
- Glanbrook District Animal Control
107 Binbrook Road
Binbrook ON L0R 1C0
(905) 692-0114
If you are canceling a licence, please return the form noting the reason for the cancellation (i.e.: the dog passed away, we moved out of the City of Hamilton, etc…). The City will update the dog licence file accordingly. You may also call 905-574-3433, Ext. 4 or fax the information to 905-546-4044 - Animal Licensing.
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I am a senior/disabled person; do I need to provide identification when purchasing a dog licence?
Yes, proof of age for owners 65 years of age or older is required in order to receive the discount. A photocopy of the paperwork will be kept on file.
Proof that the dog owner receives a Government Disability Pension is required in order to receive the discount. A photocopy of the paperwork will be kept on file.
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