Animal Services and Control

St. Catharines, Ontario

This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document. Snapshot 057e44540ae0 · verified 2026-06-09 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

The City of St. Catharines' animal control by-laws (links available below) detail the rules and regulations around a variety of animal-related issues within the city, including: * Permitted and prohibited animal species kept * Permitted number of animals kept, including cats, rabbits and dogs * Dog licences, leashes and leash-free parks * Animal noise and waste **Animal Control By-laws:** * **A By-law to provide for the licensing and regulating the keeping of dogs** (By-law 95-302) * A By-law for restricting the number of cats and rabbits (By-law 73-244) * A By-law to regulate the keeping of animals (By-law 95-212) * A By-law to regulate the keeping of pigeons (By-law 88-3) ## Animal complaints and by-law enforcement Niagara Region Animal Services (NRAS) provides full animal control, care and humane services to the City of St. Catharines. NRAS enforces all animal-related bylaws in the city. You can contact NRAS by phone at 905.682.0767, email at [email protected], in-person at 160 Fourth Ave., St. Catharines L2R 6P9, or by fax at 905.682.8133. Contact NRAS for complaints or issues related to: * Animal bite investigations and prevention education * Animal sheltering * Animal waste * Barking dogs and animal noise * Humane education * Keeping more animals than permitted * Keeping prohibited animal species * Off-leash dogs * Stray animal pick-up and impoundment * Vicious dogs Please provide as much detail as you can about your complaint, including name and address of the animal owner, if available. Anyone who is found to be in violation of the City's by-laws may be subject to prosecution in the event of continuing non-compliance. ## Animal abuse and neglect Direct all concerns of animal abuse, neglect or animals in distress to the Province of Ontario's animal welfare call centre at 1.833.9.ANIMAL (264625). In the event of an emergency where an animal's life is in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1. ## Humane Society of Greater Niagara The Lincoln County Humane Society has changed its name and is now operating as Humane Society of Greater Niagara, dedicated to the humane treatment of all animals in municipalities across the Niagara Region, including St. Catharines. The humane society helps alleviate animal suffering and neglect, supports the human-animal bond and fosters an environment in which people respect all living creatures. Humane Society of Greater Niagara provides: * Animal-assisted therapy * Animal rescue and control * Assistance with animal overpopulation and homelessness * End of life care * Investigations of cruelty and neglect * Pet adoption and virtual adoptions * Pet care education * Spaying, neutering and veterinary clinic Contact Us Subscribe To Page Updates