The Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing (MLEL) division is responsible for Animal Services at the City of Kawartha Lakes. The MLEL team consists of animal lovers that do everything in their power to return found domestic dogs to their owners.
What should I do if I've lost or found a domestic dog?
If you've lost or found a domestic dog, please report it to the Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing office:
During regular business hours Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, call:
- 705-324-9411 extension 1212
Outside of regular business hours, call the after-hours line and leave a message:
- 705-928-3054
Please include the following information in your message:
- Your name
- Your phone number
- Your address
- A brief description of the animal and/or situation
What happens when the found dog is in MLEL's possession?
When lost or found dogs are brought to or picked up by the Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing division, they are housed at one of several municipal pound/kennel facilities the municipality uses for as long as three days to give owners time to come forward to claim the dog.
If the dog isn't claimed by it's owner during the holding period, it may be surrendered to the HSKL or similar adoption/rescue agency where they will work to get the animal adopted out to a new home.
What happens to domestic dogs that don’t get surrendered to a pound/adoption agency/foster/rescue?
The municipality does not have the capacity or funds to provide long-term ownership and/or care to lost or found dogs. In some instances, a dog will be held for an extended period of time beyond the mandated three days. If residents become aware of a dog that is being cared for in the municipal pound and have interest in adoption, they may contact MLEL to indicate their interest. On rare occasions, and always at the discretion of a veterinarian, an animal may be euthanized if long-term care and accommodations are not possible.
Can residents adopt directly from MLEL?
Adoptions are generally completed using a third party organization. If residents become aware of a dog that is being cared for in the municipal pound and they have interest in adoption, they may contact MLEL to indicate their interest.
What do we do to help reunite found dogs with their owners?
To help reunite lost domestic dogs with their owners, Kawartha Lakes shares information about the found dog on the Kawartha Lakes Facebook page.
The information shared on the Facebook post is meant to alert the public of the missing dog and give them the opportunity to like and share the post to help spread the word around the community. Our goal is to alert the dog owner of where their pet is and how they can recover it.
After the holding period, Found Dog Facebook Posts are updated in one of two ways:
- For dogs that have been reunited with their owner’s, the original post will be updated to say:
- “UPDATE: This dog has been claimed by its owner, thank you for sharing!”
- For dogs that have not been claimed by an owner, the original post will be updated to say:
- “UPDATE: This dog has been surrendered to the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes” (or similar organization).
Please note that the municipality’s Facebook page is monitored during regular business hours only, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, by the Communications division.
The MLEL does not actively monitor the Facebook posts. Residents with questions or feedback relating to a found dog post are encouraged to contact MLEL directly via the contact information in the Facebook post (listed in the “What should I do” section above).
What happens once a dog is surrendered to a rescue or adoption agency?
Once the animal has been surrendered to a rescue or adoption agency, it is no longer in the City of Kawartha Lakes’ care. Residents are asked to reach out to MLEL directly for additional information or to express their interest in adopting or fostering the dog:
Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing:
- Regular Business Hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm): 705-324-9411 extension 1212
- After 4:30pm, or on weekends/holidays: 705-928-3054
Please note that phone calls may require the caller to leave a message. Messages will be returned as soon as staff time permits.
How can you help?
Follow the Kawartha Lakes Facebook page. When you see a found dog post, please like and share it to help us spread the word so that the dog's owner will have a better chance to see the post and come forward to claim their pet.
Help your pet return home safely by licensing it
The Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing division investigates and resolves 270 animal related issues on average each year. The municipality also licenses around 370 animals annually with a percentage of animal owners choosing to purchase one lifetime animal registry.
Licensing your dog is important because if it becomes lost or is received as a stray, we can reconnect you with your pet faster. Register your dog in Kawartha Lakes by purchasing a dog license online.
Regulating animals in Kawartha Lakes
All of the details regarding animal regulation in Kawartha Lakes can be found in By-Law 2021-072 A By-Law to Regulate Animals in The City of Kawartha Lakes.
| Guiding Principles for Life Policy |
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Kawartha Lakes Animal Services endeavour to meet the following Guiding Principles:
Definitions: Healthy – all dogs that have no sign of a disease, injury or behaviour that could pose a health or safety risk, or otherwise make the animal unsuitable for placement as a pet. Treatable – all dogs who are not healthy, but who are likely to become healthy, if given medical, foster, behavioural, or other care equivalent to the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring pet owners. Injuries are assessed and treatment may begin during the three day impound time period, however long-term life care will become the responsibility of the future owner. Manageable – all dogs who are not healthy and who are not likely to become healthy, but who would likely maintain a satisfactory quality of life, if given medical, foster, behaviour, or other care, equivalent to the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring owners. Unhealthy and untreatable refers to all dogs that:
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