City of Peterborough

Peterborough Humane Society

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 21, 2016

Peterborough, ON —

City of Peterborough Comprehensive Animal By-law: Registration and Licensing of Cats

The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) is contracted by the City of Peterborough to provide animal control services, education of responsible pet ownership and enforcement of animal by-laws.

The City of Peterborough passed a new Comprehensive Animal By-law on June 27, 2016.

The Comprehensive Animal By-law 16-079, includes a number of new responsibilities for cat owners within the City of Peterborough. The following provides a quick summary of the key requirements and timelines:

Cats

Registration – Grandfathering – Effective Immediately

Ø No more than 3 cats are permitted to be kept, except cats less than 4 months of age.

Ø Owners of more than 3 cats must register the animals with the PHS to legally keep them. Registration will commence immediately through the PHS.

Licensing – Annually Commencing January 2017

Ø All cats in the City must be registered with the PHS and are subject to an annual license fee with current proof of immunization required. Licensing of cats will commence January 2017.

Ø Owners of more than one cat must have all cats spayed or neutered with the exception of registered cat breeders.

Ø Owners of cats must not permit their cats to be off their own property, or on the property of anyone else without their consent. A leash or harness may be required to comply with this requirement.

Ø Owners must remove their cat’s excrement from any land in the City.

Residents who own animals are encouraged to review the Animal By-law, available at the PHS or City Hall Lobby or online at www.peterborough.ca.

Citizens are encouraged to contact the Peterborough Humane Society by phone at 705-745-7676 or by email animalcontrol@ptbohs.com if they have any concerns for animal welfare, including enforcement of this bylaw.

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For further information media may contact the undersigned:

Andrew Fraser Executive Director

Peterborough Humane Society

705-745-7676

a.fraser@ptbohs.com

Patricia Lester, City Solicitor

City of Peterborough

705-742-7777 ext. 1604

plester@peterborough.ca