Cutting red tape in Caledon: no dog licences required starting in 2017
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December 14, 2016
Cutting red tape in Caledon: no dog licences required starting in 2017
Effective January 1, 2017, the Town of Caledon will no longer require residents to purchase an annual dog licence for their dog(s).
A detailed review of the current program revealed that licences were only used in a small number of cases to return dogs to their owners. Although licences were effective in the past, various modern approaches, such as microchipping or personalized identification tags, offer a reliable alternative for returning lost pets to owners.
Animal control by-laws will continue being enforced, and reuniting dogs with their families is the primary goal of the Town’s Animal Services division. Animals Services will work with new pet owners, animal care professionals and community partners to promote the alternatives to traditional licences.
Resident benefits
This new approach creates several important benefits for residents including:
- Improved customer service by reducing the “red tape” for residents and simplifying the Town’s requirements
- Eliminating the annual fee for a dog licence, which is comparable to the one-time cost of microchipping a dog
- Recognizing the fact that an owner identification tag can be purchased at a lower cost than a dog licence
- Acknowledging the fact that, unlike a tag or a licence, a microchip can’t be easily lost
Microchipping FAQs
Q: What is microchipping?
A: A needle is used to place a little chip under the animal’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades. The chip itself is a small glass cylinder about the size of a grain of rice that holds a radio transmitter and a tiny electronic device containing the animal’s ID number.
Q: How long does it take to microchip a dog?
A: A few seconds. Filling out the paperwork for the microchip takes longer.
Q: Is it painful to my dog?
A: There’s a pinch because it’s a large needle, but some dogs don’t even flinch.
Q: What does it cost?
A: $50 average
Q: Is the chip a GPS?
A: No.
Q: How will it help me get my pet back if he is lost?
A: Someone will take your dog to a shelter or veterinarian’s office to be scanned for a chip. The chip contains an identification number, which is connected directly to your contact information. Make sure the chip is registered to you, with your updated phone numbers. Keep your information up to date.
Go to caledon.ca/dogs for more information or call Town Hall at 905.584.2272 x.4069
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Media Contact:
Corporate Communications
905.584.2272
communications@caledon.ca
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