Animal Services
Kawartha Lakes Animal Services helps keep people and animals safe by responding to concerns, enforcing by-laws, and sharing helpful information. Whether you need to report a dangerous dog, learn about pet licences, or find support for wildlife or livestock issues, you'll find what you need here.
Explore Animal Services
Learn more about common animal-related issues and how we can help.
Fishing and Hunting
Visit the Kawartha Lakes Tourism website to learn about hunting and fishing in Kawartha Lakes.
The City of Kawartha Lakes does not issue hunting and fishing licences. For information about hunting and fishing licence issuers, refer to the Province of Ontario's database.
The Province also provides details about Fisheries Management Zones and Wildlife Management Units.
The Discharge of Firearms By-law (Download) regulates the use of firearms in Kawartha Lakes.
Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes
The Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes (HSKL) leads the community in protection and provision of humane care and treatment of all animals, enforcement of protection laws and public education.
Please note that the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes no longer provides municipal pound/kennel services for the City of Kawartha Lakes. For information regarding municipal pound/kennel services please contact the City of Kawartha Lakes, Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing division by calling 705-324-9411 extension 1212.
Contact the Humane Society:
Address: 107 McLaughlin Road, Lindsay ON, K9V 6K5
Phone: 705-878-4618
Website: hskl.ca
Additional Services
We are here to support citizens and animals alike with a variety of needs.
Animal Bites and Dangerous Dogs
To report an animal bite, call the Municipal Law Enforcement Office at 705-324-9411 extension 1212 during regular business hours.
The Dog Owners Liability Act is provincial legislation pertaining to dangerous dogs.
If you have received an Order to Restrain you have seven days to file an appeal to have your case heard by the Committee of Council.
Kennel Licensing
The Kennel Licensing By-law (download) regulates the licensing and governing of kennels in Kawartha Lakes.
Suspected Animal Abuse
To report suspected animal cruelty, neglect, or animals that are injured, in pain, sick, suffering or abused, please contact Animal Welfare Services (AWS) via the Ontario Animal Protection Call Centre at 1-833-926-4625 (1-833-9ANIMAL) available 24/7 or follow this link ontario.ca/page/animal-welfare. AWS can also be emailed at solgen.correspondence@ontario.ca.
Deceased Livestock or Roadkill
Roadkill
You can report roadkill online.
For information on what to do if you find a deceased animal on private property, please refer to the deceased wildlife on private property section above (under wildlife on private property).
Livestock
If you have suffered an injury or kill of livestock or poultry due to predation, please see the predation of livestock and poultry section above.
Municipality's Responsibility for Domestic Animals
The municipality has a regulatory domestic animal control by-law and a responsibility to enforce the By-Law 2021-072 (download) when necessary. In accordance with the animal by-law, animals are not allowed to run free or be walked off leash other than on your own property. If reporting an at large domestic cats complaint, please note that this type of complaint will only be investigated when the address of the cat owner is known. Please note the Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing officers will not pursue a domestic animal that is running free in any area of the municipality.
Animals that are found at large in contravention of the by-law may be impounded by a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer or Police Officer and taken to a municipal pound/kennel facility. The person in charge of the animal could also be liable and receive a fine for the by-law violation.
If you are encountering a violation of the animal control by-law you may report it to the Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing division by calling 705-324-9411 extension 1212, or by completing the online complaint form. If you need assistance outside of regular business hours, call 705-928-3054 and leave a message with your name, address and phone number as well as a brief description of the issue. Please note that incomplete or anonymous complaints will not be addressed.
Contact Us
Kawartha Lakes
P.O. Box 9000, 26 Francis Street
Lindsay, ON, K9V 5R8
Telephone: 705-324-9411
Toll free at 1-888-822-2225
After-hours emergencies: 1-877-885-7337
