Back in June, the City of Peterborough passed a controversial animal by-law governing the registration and licensing of cats.
The new comprehensive animal by-law includes a number of new requirements for cat owners that essentially treat cats in the same way as dogs.
Effective immediately, residents of Peterborough are allowed to keep a maximum of three cats (except where cats are less than four months of age).
This requirement is grandfathered for residents who already owned more than three cats prior to the passing of the by-law on June 27th. However, those residents must register their cats by September 27th with the Peterborough Humane Society to legally keep them.
Effective January 2017, all cats in the City of Peterborough must be registered with the Peterborough Humane Society. There will be an annual license fee for each cat, and current proof of immunization will be required.
There are some additional responsibilities for cat owners under the new by-law:
- Owners of more than one cat must have all cats spayed or neutered, with the exception of registered cat breeders.
- 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.
- Owners must remove their cat’s excrement from any land in the City.
The Peterborough Humane Society is contracted by the City of Peterborough to provide animal control services, education of responsible pet ownership, and enforcement of animal by-laws.
For more information, or for any concerns for animal welfare (including enforcement of the by-law), residents can contact the Peterborough Humane Society by phone at 705-745-7676 or by email at animalcontrol@ptbohs.com.
The City of Peterborough is also encouraging residents who own animals are encouraged to review the new animal by-law, which is available at the Peterborough Humane Society, in the City Hall Lobby, or online at www.peterborough.ca.
