Animal Services

Do not allow pets, including cats and dogs, to roam at large. Always ensure they are securely tied up when outdoors without supervision, and ensure that they remain under effective control by a leash when under supervision. 

If you are having problems with a dog in your neighbourhood, follow these steps to make a complaint:

Before contacting animal control:

Talk to the dog's owner if you know who it is and feel comfortable doing so. Politely explain to them the impact their dog is having on you, your property and/or your pets.

If a conversation with the owner doesn't resolve the issue, register a complaint by calling the Animal Control and By-law Enforcement Office. You must also complete a Dog Complaint Form.

All dogs must be registered with the City of Dryden, a dog tag will be provided, which serves as proof of registration.

A valid dog tag issued by the City must be affixed to and displayed on the dog's collar at all times. Dogs displaying a valid tag when picked up by an Animal Control Officer can be easily identified, ensuring that they can be reunited with their owner as soon as possible!

There are two types of dog licences:

Annual licences must be renewed with the City by February 1st annually. Prices vary depending on if your dog is spayed/neutered and/or microchipped, and a 50% discount is available to senior citizens registering their dog!

Lifetime licences are valid for the life of the dog. In order to be eligible to purchase a lifetime tag, your dog must be spayed or neutered, and a discount is applicable if the dog is microchipped.

Always remove any excrement left by your pet immediately. This applies anywhere within the City, including on private property.

Obey the legal limit of 5 animals total per household. This can be any combination of cats or dogs.

Ensure that your pets are leashed and under effective control when not on a property you own or occupy. The only exception to this is when you and your pet are within the fenced area of an off-leash recreational area. 

Replacing a leash with an electronic device does not qualify as having effective control over your animal.

If you decide you'd like to own chickens, quail or other farm animals, please make sure your property is suitable and meets the minimum legal size and zoning requirements.

Chickens are only permitted on properties zoned as Rural or Rural Residential.

• Chickens are not permitted on properties located within the Urban area of Dryden.

Roosters are strictly prohibited. 

For more information, please refer to the Animal Control By-law.

Do not harbour any animals listed as Prohibited within the by-law. This includes many types of birds, snakes, and mammals. Please review the Animal Control by-law to find the most up-to-date list of prohibited animals.

The City of Dryden operates a municipal animal pound, where any animals found at large are brought and cared for until an owner can be located. There are service fees applicable that must be paid by an owner before an animal is released from the City's custody.

Our pound can accommodate both cats and dogs.

The City will hold an animal for a minimum of 5 days before starting the adoption process through local rescue agencies.

If a dog is reported as running at large, an Animal Control officer will be sent to catch the dog. If the dog is licensed, it can be returned directly to the owner and the owner may be fined. If the dog is not licensed, it will be taken to the pound until an owner can be located. 

If you find a deceased or injured domestic animal, contact Animal Control as soon as possible. Please be prepared to provide the officer with a physical description of the animal, the location and any other observations you may have made. If an animal is found deceased on private property, it is the responsibility of the property owner/occupant to properly remove and dispose of the animal.

Animal control does not dispatch injured animals, or respond to calls involving deceased or injured wildlife.

• If a wild animal is injured, please contact the Ministry of Natural Resources or the Ontario Provincial Police.