It’s the law to stoop and scoop!
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Failing
to pick up after your pet could result in a fine
Having a pet as part of your family can be rewarding, but it is
your responsibility to ensure you clean up after them when you are out for a
walk. The City of Vaughan is reminding pet owners to be good neighbours by
picking up after their dogs. Not only is it the right thing to do, it’s also
the law!
By-laws are in place to
keep the community safe and clean. You must pick up after your pets, whether on
public or private property. The fine for failing to do so is $300. To
report pet waste on public property, contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
There are also health
implications to consider. The primary route of parasite transmission between
pets is through ingesting infected eggs/larva in the environment, which can be
found in animal feces. Excrement may also contain bacteria and parasites that
can affect humans and can attract wildlife, such as coyotes.
Be a responsible pet
owner
Free-roaming pets are
vulnerable to a multitude of dangers. Almost all conflicts between wildlife and
domestic dogs occur when dogs are off-leash or left unattended. Dangers include
conflict with raccoons, skunks and birds of prey, among others. Always keep
dogs on a leash when outdoors – including when out for a walk, in parks and on
trails – or accompanied when in your secured backyard and keep cats indoors or
in a secure outdoor enclosure.
Here are some
additional services offered by Vaughan Animal Services:
Pet adoption
The Vaughan Animal Shelter
is open Monday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for
adoptions). The shelter is closed to the public on Sundays and statutory
holidays. Visit the City’s website for details on the
animals available for adoption.
Pet licensing
All dogs and cats in
Vaughan must wear a licence (numbered tag), purchased from the City, at all
times. Online
pet licensing is available.
Lost pet
If your pet gets lost,
contact Vaughan Animal Services immediately at 905-832-2281; staff will help
reunite you and your pet as safely and quickly as possible. Visit the City’s website for more information.
To report a sick or
injured wild animal, please call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281. For more
information, go to vaughan.ca/AnimalServices.
For
updates and news as they happen, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the
official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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