Key Changes – Animal Care and Control Bylaw

Key Changes – Animal Care and Control Bylaw

The Animal Care and Control Bylaw (Bylaw 6475) comes into effect May 1, 2025. The new statute replaces the Dog Control Bylaw, the Wild or Domestic Animals Bylaw and the Pigeon Bylaw. Feedback from the public, stakeholders and municipalities helped shape the new bylaw. Here are some highlights of Bylaw 6475.

What hasn't changed:

• Owners must leash their dogs in public and ensure the dogs do not bite or attack people or other animals.
• Annual licensing for dogs over six months old, with a limit of two per household—unless the owner has a Fancier’s License.
• Owners must pick up dog feces and prevent excessive barking.
• Keeping livestock or wildlife on property not designated for it by the Land Use Bylaw is still prohibited.
• There are also regulations around keeping racing pigeons.
  
  

New provisions related to cats:

• The number of cats on a residential property will be limited to six. Cats owned before May 1, 2025, will be considered “legacy” cats. Enforcement will be complaint-based, with focus on serious hoarding or nuisance issues.
• Owners need to ensure their cats don't cause harm to people or other animals and prevent them from damaging property.
• There will be no mandatory annual cat licencing. Owners can opt for a yearly licence with the City and/or a low-cost microchip from the Lethbridge Animal Shelter to help with identification. The microchip program will begin in mid-2025.
  
  

General animal regulations (for all reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, excluding humans):

• Animals are not allowed in restricted areas like schoolyards, cemeteries or nature reserves.
• Basic care, including food, water and shelter, is required.
• It’s an offense to abandon an animal.
• If animals are left in vehicles, there must be proper ventilation. If temperatures exceed +20 or -15 degrees, climate control (air conditioning or heat) must be active.
• Non-traditional pets (exotics, reptiles, birds, rodents, etc.) must be properly contained or under the control of their owners.
  
  

Other updates under the new bylaw:

• Dog owners can now use personalized dog tags, as long as they display the licence number issued by the City.
• Fines for severe injuries caused by dogs have been increased.
• Permits may be available for exemptions under some parts of the bylaw. This could help establish a future Urban Hen Program, if approved by City Council.
• Pet owners with a history of non-compliance may receive orders to help address nuisance behavior.