Animal Safety & Dog Licensing

Dog Licensing

Any dog over the age of 3 months that takes up residence in Okotoks must be licensed within 7 days of moving to the Town. For questions regarding dog licensing please call Municipal Enforcement at 403-995-6302 or the Municipal Centre at 403-938-4404. 

It is also important to keep your dog owner information up to date with the Town so we can reunite you and your dog should he/she escape from your property:

• If you will be moving out of Okotoks, making a move to a new home in Okotoks, or if your dog passes away, please report this information to the Town so we can update our records accordingly.
• If you have a new puppy you will be charged the altered rate until it is eligible for spay or neutering.

Applying for a New Dog License

Fill out a Dog License Form, and choose your method of payment below:

Dog License Form

Renewing a Dog License

Dog license invoices are mailed out in December (for the upcoming year) and payment for your dog license is due by the end of January of each year. You can renew your dog license using your invoice number, dog tag number, or customer id number by one of the following payment methods listed below.

Yearly Dog License Fees

Note: For new licenses purchased after the start of the year, fees are pro-rated for the remaining months in the current year. 

*as of January 1, 2022 as per the Rates and Fees Bylaw.
**puppies will be charged the altered rate until it is eligible for spay or neutering.

In person

Both dog license renewal payments and new license applications can be made in person at the Municipal Centre, 5 Elizabeth Street, Monday to Friday between 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM. Cash, cheque, Visa/MC and Interac debit card service is available.

Over the Phone / Drop Box

To avoid long lines and wait times, applications and payments can also be dropped off in the after-hours deposit box. Payments can also be made by Visa/MC over the phone by calling 403-938-4404.

By Mail

Dog license renewals and completed ;new dog license application forms can be mailed along with the bottom portion of your invoice along with a payment cheque or a completed Visa/MC Authorization Form to the Town of Okotoks, PO Box 20, Station Main, Okotoks AB T1S 1K1.

Online

Existing dog licenses can be renewed by visiting our Virtual Town Hall and paying online. You will need your invoice number or dog tag number and a Visa or MasterCard to complete your payment online.

Pay online

Existing dog licenses can also be renewed through your online banking bill payment feature. You will need to add OKOTOKS (TOWN OF) DOG/BUSINESS LICENSE & ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE as a new payee and will have to enter your six-digit CUSTOMER ID number to set up this option.

Your Customer Id # is available on your dog license invoice, but make sure you are using the six-digit CUSTOMER ID # and not the invoice number. You can also call the Municipal Centre to get your Customer Id # if you can't find your dog license invoice.

At Your Bank

By presenting a copy of your invoice at a TD Canada Trust and most Financial institutions in Canada. 

Although cats are not required to be licensed in Okotoks, under the bylaw, cat owners must ensure their pets do not defecate on public or privately owned property nor tear open garbage bags. As a responsible cat owner, it is advisable to prevent your cat from trespassing on other people's property or roaming around the neighborhood. This is not only to be a good neighbor, but also for the safety of your cat. Okotoks is located in a wildlife corridor and some wildlife, such as coyotes or foxes, will prey on a stray cat.

In order to have four or more dogs (up to a maximum of 10) at any residence in Okotoks, each dog must be individually licensed and a completed Animal Fancier & Adoption License Application must be submitted to Municipal Enforcement Services for approval. To receive the forms or if you have questions regarding the application process, please contact the Municipal Enforcement Admin/Inquiry Line using the contact information below.

Any lost or found dogs can be reported to the Municipal Enforcement Complaint Line and an officer will be dispatched to assist in reuniting the animal with it's owner.

If you have found a dog and it is wearing an Okotoks dog tag, you can search the tag number in the Okotoks Virtual Town Hall website "Dog Search" and the dog's name and color as well as a phone number for the owner may be available (if the owner has provided this information to the Town).

The Town does not have a bylaw or program to assist with lost or found cats.

A dog running at large does not constitute an emergency but can still be reported to the Municipal Enforcement Complaint Line and, if an officer is readily available, a patrol will be made to try to locate the dog.

If you witness or encounter an aggressive dog and believe a human or other animal may be harmed by the dog, this is considered an emergent situation and should be immediately reported to either the Okotoks Municipal Enforcement Complaint Line (403-938-8913) or the RCMP (403-938-4202).

Dog defecation causes an unsightly mess when left in open spaces, parks and along pathways and can also pose a health concern. Municipal Enforcement receives many complaints from concerned citizens regarding dog owners that simply walk away after their dog has defecated rather than stopping to clean up after their dogs.

Please be a responsible dog owner and help keep your community clean by picking up after your dog! The Town provides dog bag dispensers and garbage receptacles along the pathways and in the parks for dog owners to use while walking their dogs; but, it is also a dog owner's responsibility to carry extra bags in case these dispensers happen to be empty.

Under the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw, the fine for not cleaning up your dog's defecation on public property is $100 for a first offense and $200 for subsequent offenses.

Residents interested in applying to keep Urban Hens can complete an an online application with the Town of Okotoks. The applications will be reviewed and approved by Municipal Enforcement on a first-come first-served basis and a $50 fee will be required to obtain your Urban Hen License.

Review the below Urban Hen License Question & Answer document for more information on applying for an Urban Hen License, requirements and keeping your urban hens. 

Urban Hen License Question & Answer

The chicken coop must be a fully enclosed weather proof structure with an attached outdoor enclosure and can be no larger than 10 meters square in floor area, and no more than 2 meters in height.

A person may apply to keep up to 4 urban hens.

• Submit a completed online application to gain approval.
• Construct a coop according to the Urban Hen Bylaw.
• Pay the $50.00 license fee (note: license fees are not reduced or prorated no matter the month of purchase and license fees that have been paid in full will not be refunded or rebated).

Apply Now 

As per the Livestock Emotional Support Animal Bylaw, Okotoks residents can now apply for a companion animal under 180 kilograms in weight that has been determined to provide a benefit for an individual by a mental health professional. Learn more about Livestock Emotional Support Animals at the link below. 

Livestock Emotional Support Animal Q & A

• You must be 18 years of age.
• You must complete an application with the Town of Okotoks.
• You must provide a letter from a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist that is dated within the last 6 months.
• You must provide a letter from a licensed veterinarian that indicates the Livestock Emotional Support Animal has all required vaccines.
• You must pass a site inspection at your property/place of residence.  

Apply Now