Under Calgary’s Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw, all cats and dogs over the age of three months must be licensed and cannot stray from their owner’s property.
That said, accidents do happen and sometimes pets get out. This can be extremely frightening—both for you and your pet! Suddenly your family cat or dog is in an unfamiliar environment, at risk of being hit by vehicles, suffering from exposure to extreme weather, or prey to hungry wildlife.
Ensuring your pet is wearing its license and has an identification microchip helps it get back home as soon as possible. Also, quickly reporting your pet missing, greatly reduces their exposure to risk and you to costs associated with getting them back home.
Our Bylaw officers’ first response when they find a lost pet is to try to take it home. Getting your contact information from your pet’s license or microchip makes this process much easier.
The second reason to report your missing pet quickly is to reduce costs to you in terms of veterinary bills and the expense associated with housing and providing care for them at The City’s Animal Services Centre.
To ensure your pet gets back home quickly and safely should they get out, call 311 immediately to let Animal Services know they are gone. The longer you wait, the greater the risk.
Your pet’s license is its ticket home—all dogs and cats in Calgary need one! Visit calgary.ca/animalservices for more details.
