Owning a pet has many proven health benefits including physical, mental and emotional improvements for the owner;Â however, pet ownership also comes with much responsibility.
The Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw regulates many aspects of dog ownership and certain responsibilities of dog owners; it also helps Municipal Enforcement work with pet owners to ensure that dogs, cats, their owners, and the neighbors live together harmoniously and safely.
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.Â
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 you 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.
Fill out a Dog License Form, and choose your method of payment below. If you would like to pay by credit card, please fill out the Credit Card Authorization Form. If you have a new dog to add to your existing license please contact the Municipal Centre.
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.
| Unaltered Dog | $100.00 |
| Altered Dog (Spayed or Neutered) | $ Â 25.00 |
| Replacement of Lost Tags | $ Â 10.00 |
| Seeing Eye/Guide Dog | Â Exempt |
| Animal Fancier & Adoption License (see below) | $150.00 |
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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.
To avoid long lines and wait times, applications and payments can also be dropped off in the after-hours deposit box.
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.
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.
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 you Customer Id # if you can't find your dog license invoice.
By presenting a copy of your invoice at a TD Canada Trust and most Financial institutions in Canada.Â
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 at 403-995-6302.
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 Town of Okotoks 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.