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Animal Services FAQs

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We do not have a specific adoption period. If an animal remains healthy, happy and friendly, it remains in our adoption wings. We do not euthanize to make room for other animals.

There are many benefits to adopting an animal from Brampton Animal Services. See the break down for an adoption and what comes with the animal.​
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The types of animals can vary daily within the shelter; however, animals such a​s the following may be available for adoption:

  • Pocket pets
  • Exotics
  • Domestic
  • Birds
  • Fish

View animals available for adoption today.

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Report all animal bites to Brampton Animal Services so Peel Public Health Services can "quarantine" (isolate) the animal. If a stray animal bites you, call Brampton Animal Services so we can capture the animal and prevent it from injuring other people.

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Report all animal bites to Brampton Animal Services so the appropriate authority can be notified. If a stray animal bites your pet, call Brampton Animal Services so we can capture the animal and prevent it from injuring other pets and people.
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​The BluePaw program is our new rewards program. We have partnered with local businesses to provide special offers and discounts to responsible Brampton pet owners who license their dogs and cats. It’s our way of saying thank you. Learn more about the Blue Paw Program here.​

​It’s easy! Just license your dog or cat with the City and you’ll automatically become a member. Learn more about the Blue Paw Program here.

​Membership in the BluePaw program is included in your dog or cat licence fee. Learn mor​e about the Blue Paw Program here.

See the current list of business members here. Brampton residents who are part of the BluePaw program also qualify for the City of Toronto’s BluePaw offers. See the list of participating businesses here.

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​If your business is interested in being part of the BluePaw program, contact us at 905.458.5800 or animal.services@brampton.ca  Learn more about the Blue Paw Program here.

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Yes, In Ontario it is the law that all ​dogs and cats over 3 months of age be vaccinated against rabies. Learn about the Rabies Immunization Regulation.​​

No. ​The shelter is not licensed to provide veterinary services to the general public. Check online to find veterinarians in Brampton.

Visit our Off Leash Park page ​for locations and rules about using the park.
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There are several eco-friendly solutions that will help keep cats away from vegetable beds and private property. Cats prefer to walk on soft soil and will avoid prickly surfaces, such as pine needles or yard trimmings. Using scented products and materials, such as citrus scents, human hair or strong smelling plants like lavender lemon thyme or citronella will also assist in keeping cats away.

There are other commercial products that can deter the unwanted cat from your property without harming the animal or your garden. Do not use moth balls as they are toxic to both cats and humans.

​Provincial statutes require us to keep stray animals for 72 hours (three days).  This stray hold does not include their day of arrival, Sundays and Stat Holidays. However, we hold all stray animals that people turn in to Brampton Animal Shelter for seven days.

Donations to the Brampton Animal Services can be made:
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Although the noise is being created by a dog, Animal Services does not respond to this type of complaint as it falls within the City of Brampton's Noise By-Law 93-84. If you would like to report such a disturbance, contact the By-Law Office at 311.

No. Our mandate is to provide assistance and temporary housing for stray and unowned animals until they can be reunited with their caregivers. Since we do not know the history of most of the animals in the shelter, your pets could risk contracting a serious illness from the other animals.

​Pets can suffer from dehydration, sunburn and heatstroke, which can be fatal if not treated promptly. Learn tips on keeping your pets safe during extreme hot weather.​

There is also an Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) initiative called Operation V.A.L.U.E (Vulnerable Animals Left Unattended Everyday) for keeping animals safe. Visit the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for more information.

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Cruelty to any animal is not tolerated in Ontario. If you think an animal is in distress or is being abused, call: 1-833-9-ANIMAL (264625). Visit the Ministry of the Solicitor General website for more information.

No, Brampton Animal Services does not offer wildlife removal from a person’s home. We will do wildlife assessments and provide advice in the case of wildlife conflicts on a person's property. You will have to call a wildlife removal company. For more information on wildlife, call 3-1-1.

Under the City of Brampton’s Animal Services By-laws, all dogs and cats are required to be licensed with the City.​
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If a pet gets lost, their licence is immediately visible and shows that they have a family that is missing them. It is the quickest way for someone to contact a pet’s owner. And, if the pet is brought into the animal shelter, the staff can get them back home quickly. ​

Pet licences can be purchased or renewed online, by mail, or in-person at the Animal Shelter, any Service Brampton location or at special events.​
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Currently, licences are valid from January 1 until December 31 of the current year, regardless of the date on which they are purchased, and the cost is not pro-rated.​

As of November 1, 2023, dog and cat licences can be purchased as a one-year or two-year licence. These will change from expiring each calendar year to expiring either 12 or 24 months from the date of purchase.​

New “smart” pet tags are being issued to improve the ability for anyone to reunite a lost pet with their family Tags will display a QR code that you can activate and record as much or as little of your contact information to share with someone who finds your lost pet.

Residents will receive a single pet tag per pet. Lost tags will be replaced for the existing $5 fee within the first year that they are issued. Tags lost after the first year, and damaged tags at any time will be replaced for free.

Your information is stored by the pet tag vendor for the purpose of getting your pet home and is not provided to Brampton Animal Services, therefore, you must still update your information with us during the licence renewal process or anytime it changes.

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​It is important to keep your licence information up-to-date. In the event your pet gets lost, we need this information to help ensure they get home safely. Contact Animal Services at 905.458.5800 or animal.services@brampton.ca to update your information.

When you buy a licence, you’re not just helping your own pets. Your licence fees go directly back to Brampton Animal Services to help support programs like pet adoption, spaying/neutering and medical care for lost and homeless pets.

Under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, O. Reg. 191/11, Section 80.45 provides the following definition of Service Animal and we would use this as a means to identify and confirm for the purposes of licensing:

  1. For the purposes of this Part, an animal is a service animal for a person with a disability if,
    1. the animal can be readily identified as one that is being used by the person for reasons relating to the person’s disability, as a result of visual indicators such as the vest or harness worn by the animal; or
    2. the person provides documentation from one of the following regulated health professionals confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability:
      1. A member of the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario.
      2. A member of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario.
      3. A member of the College of Nurses of Ontario.
      4. A member of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario.
      5. A member of the College of Optometrists of Ontario.
      6. A member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
      7. A member of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.
      8. A member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario.
      9. A member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario. O. Reg. 165/16, s. 16.

Further it refers to the Blind Persons Rights Act for the definition of Guide Dog which is as follows in Section 1: “guide dog” means a dog trained as a guide for a blind person and having the qualifications prescribed by the regulations. (“chien d’aveugle”) R.S.O. 1990, c. B.7, s. 1 (1). The information under O. Reg. 58 states the following:

  1. A dog that has successfully completed the training program at any of the following facilities is qualified as a guide dog:
    1. Eye Dog Foundation for the Blind, Los Angeles, California.
    2. The Seeing Eye, Inc., Morristown, New Jersey.
    3. Guide Dogs for the Blind Inc., San Rafael, California.
    4. International Guiding Eyes Inc., Hollywood, California.
    5.  Eye of the Pacific Guide Dogs Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii.
    6. Leader Dogs for the Blind, Rochester, Michigan.
    7. Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind Inc., Smithtown, New York.
    8. Guiding Eyes for the Blind Inc., New York, New York.
    9. Pilot Dogs Inc., Columbus, Ohio.
    10. Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Windsor, England.
    11. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, Ottawa, Ontario.
    12.  Canine Vision Canada, Oakville, Ontario.
    13. National Service Dogs, Cambridge, Ontario.
    14. Any other guide dog training facility that the Attorney General or an officer of his or her Ministry designated by the Attorney General in writing determines meets the following criteria:
      1. The facility provides a minimum of three months of training for a prospective guide dog that involves, in part,
        1. exposure to situations in the field, including street traffic, public transportation and the negotiation of stationary and moving obstacles and barriers, and
        2. a minimum of 10 days of training with a guide dog user.
      2. The facility ensures that a guide dog that successfully completes a training program at the facility,
        1. does not demonstrate social behaviour inappropriate to a guide dog,
        2. does not suffer from an ailment, disease or physical disorder that would substantially interfere with its duties as a guide dog, and
        3. demonstrates basic obedience skills with a leash and voice commands. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 58, s. 1; O. Reg. 649/05, s. 1.

Applicable legislation for excerpts:
Ontarians with Disabilities Act
Blind Persons Rights Act​

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​Although it would be tempting to keep this animal as your own, it would be best to allow us to try and reunite the animal with its owner. Some animals could require medical attention, or subject you and your family to unnecessary hardship. The shelter would be the best housing for an animal that has an unknown history. Reporting in a timely manner is essential to this process. Find more about reporting a found animal here.

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This can be a very scary time for a pet owner and we do our best to try and assist the owner in reuniting with their pet. Find more information on reporting your lost pet here.
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If the pet is wearing a smart tag, scan the QR code on the pet tag to contact the pet owner directly. Returning a lost pet directly to their family not only reduces the stress and anxiety of the pet, but it also reduces the amount of time that Animal Control Officers are involved with lost pets, allowing that time to be used for pro-active patrols and public education.

If you find a pet without a tag, please contact Animal Services by calling 311.

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​No, you can only make updates to your information during the renewal process. You must contact our office at any other time to make changes or updates to your information. Contact Animal Services at 905.458.5800 or animal.services@brampton.ca​ to update your information.

​No, you will have to contact our office to purchase a designation tag. 

​No, you will have to contact our office to make these changes to your license.

​Yes if you are over the age of 55, you will have the option to choose a senior discount during the online process. The correct license fees will be assigned during the renewal process. 

​Please contact our office. 

​You will have the option to update your information during the online renewal process.​

​You can go online and update your information at the time you receive your notice or contact our office and we will update your information.​

​Contact our office to arrange for a replacement tag.

​You will have the option to update information about your pet during the online renewal process. The correct fees will be assigned during the renewal process. ​

​You can go online and update your information or contact our office. Contact your municipal office to register within your jurisdiction. ​

You will receive your license tag in the mail within 10 business days of your confirmation email​

​You will receive a confirmation email within 72 hours of your online transaction.​​

​Some information can be updated during the online renewal process, such as spay, neuter, and microchip.  You will have to contact our office to update information such as breed type and colour. ​

​Please contact our office and we will update your file .

If you typically used a crate while you were gone during the day, but have stopped while at home, now is a good time to either explore discontinuing the crate (gradually increasing the length of time you’re away) or reintroduce crating while still working from home. Do this by making it rewarding for your dog to go into the crate for short periods.​

Before leaving, engage in rigorous play or physical activity. Burning energy can help keep pets calm and relaxed for longer periods while you’re gone.​
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Long-lasting treats, food puzzles, and automatic feeders can help keep pets occupied throughout the day.​

Excessive barking or whining, agitation, destructive behavior, and inappropriate urination/ defecation can all be signs of stress. If you’re concerned, consider filming your pets when you leave so you can observe them and share the video with your veterinarian.​

Consider having a pet sitter visit and play with your pet or walk your dog if you’re unable to return home for an extended period of time.​

Schedule waking up, feeding, and walking as you would for your expected workday routine. Introduce a consistent departure schedule that builds on that routine.​

Practice short departures on a daily basis, and gradually extend the time you are gone. Give a small treat just as you walk out the door to condition your pet to find it rewarding for you to leave. If signs of anxiety occur—such as destructive activity - don’t punish your pet. Instead, shorten the time away and slowly build up to longer periods.​

Leave on a TV, radio, or sound machine to provide some company while you’re away.​

​Remain as calm as possible when leaving and returning home. If your pet is overexcited when you return, try not to interact until he/she seems more relaxed.​​
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Concerns about behavior, stress, and wellbeing can be discussed with Brampton Animal Services by emailing your concern and contact information to animal.s​ervices@brampton.ca​. A staff member will follow up with you as soon as possible.​

Volunteers are essential to running the programs at Brampton Animal Services. Are you 16 years of age or older and have some available time to help animals in need? Learn how to get involved and become part of our team.​