Animal Services

If you see an animal in distress, please contact the Government of Ontario's Provincial Animal Welfare Services team at 1-833-9ANIMAL (1-833-926-4625) or your local police services. If you see an animal in distress and the animal's life is in danger, call 911 immediately as this is an emergency.

Dogs Running at Large
The Municipality of Hastings Highlands has a Regulating the Keeping of Dogs Bylaw to prohibit dogs from “being at large”, to ensure the removal of dog waste and for the purpose of generally regulating the keeping of dogs in the Municipality.

Bylaw 2019-098 Regulate the Keeping of Dogs

Did You Find a Lost Dog? 

If Found During Office Hours: 
If you have a lost dog in your care during office hours and are within the Municipality of Hastings Highlands, please contact the Hastings Highlands Bylaw Enforcement Officer at (613) 338-2811 ext 235.

If Found After Hours:
If you have a lost dog in your care after office hours or on the weekend are within the Municipality of Hastings Highlands please contact the Municipal Dog Pound at (613) 332-2755. 

Learn more about the Municipal Dog Pound. 

Municipal Dog Pound Board Complaints Handling Policy

If a dog bites a person or pet, the Ontario Provincial Police is the agency responsible for enforcing that matter and be reached at 1-888-310-1122, or 911 (if emergency). When reporting a dog bite, you need to provide accurate information pertaining to the incident (date, time and location), dog owner information and a description of the dog. The Dog Owner's Liability Act outlines the dog owner's responsibility to prevent a bite or an attack. 

In Ontario it is illegal to own an Orca, Pitbull breed, or native wildlife without a permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. The Province does not regulate ownership of any other animals; it is up to individual municipalities to determine their local rules.

In 2021 The Municipality of Hastings Highlands enacted Exotic Animal Bylaw 2021-037 to Prohibit or Otherwise Regulate the Keeping of Certain Animals within The Municipality of Hastings Highlands. 

The Municipality of Hastings Highlands regulates the operation of dog and cat kennels within the Municipality and requires any person, partnership or corporation in the Municiaplity to obtain a Kennel Licence.

Kennel Licence Bylaw

The Hastings Highlands Bylaw Department investigates damages to livestock caused by wildlife. The Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program (OWDC) provides financial assistance to producers whose livestock, poultry and honey bees have been damaged by wildlife. When a producer (the owner of livestock, poultry or bees) believes that they have suffered a loss of livestock, poultry or bees due to predation the owner should immediately notify the municipal Livestock Valuer, Dawn Bowers at (613) 338-2811 Ext. 235 or via email at [email protected]

The Livestock Valuer will immediately make a full investigation and submit a written report to the Municipal Clerk within 10 days. A copy of the report is also provided to the producer of livestock, poultry or bees.

The OWDC requires that a producer meet certain criteria to be eligible under the program. Some of the requirements are as follows:

Be a sole proprietor, corporation, partnership or unincorporated association
Have a valid Farm Business Registration number
Have a Premises Identification number
The weight of poultry injured or killed must be more than 25 kilograms
Must demonstrate to the valuer that reasonable effort has been taken to prevent incidences of wildlife damage to livestock, poultry, beehives, bee colonies or beehive related equipment to be eligible for a claim

Bylaw 2018-129 Appointment of a Livestock Valuer

Link: Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program Guidelines

Wildlife and Protection of Privacy
The Municipality of Hastings Highlands does not provide trapping or relocation services for nuisance wildlife (this includes feral cats). Wildlife-proofing your home or business is the most effective way to deter nuisance wildlife. Trapping and relocating wildlife is only a temporary solution as other animals tend to relocate into the area. 

Wildlife: Sick or Injured
If you encounter wildlife that is sick or injured, wildlife that poses a threat to humans or domestic animals, or wildlife that displays signs or symptoms of rabies, do not touch or handle the animal. Contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) at 1-800-667-1940 or visit their website at https://www.ontario.ca/page/rescue-sick-injured-or-abandoned-wild-animal.

Wildlife: Nuisance
The Municipality of Hastings Highlands does not provide trapping or relocation services for nuisance wildlife (this includes feral cats). Wildlife-proofing your home or business is the most effective way to deter nuisance wildlife. Trapping and relocating wildlife is only a temporary solution as other animals tend to relocate into the area.

Bears
If you encounter a bear in your neighbourhood and are concerned about an imminent threat to public safety, call 9-1-1.  In a non-emergency situation, call the Province’s Bear Wise reporting line at 1 (866) 514-BEAR (2327) (between April 1^st and November 30^th). Between Dec 1^st and March 31^st, please contact the MNRF. Further information is available through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Bear Wise website https://www.ontario.ca/page/prevent-bear-encounters-bear-wise.

Coyotes
Coyotes have adapted to urban areas and it is quite normal to see coyotes. Coyotes are generally shy animals that avoid confrontation. They are also opportunistic animals that are drawn to places where they can find food easily. If you encounter a coyote, do not turn your back or run away. Instead, remain calm and back away slowly. If you’re out for a walk bring a whistle to frighten any approaching animals. Always walk your pets on a leash and keep cats inside. More information about coyotes can be obtained through the MNRF website at https://www.ontario.ca/page/wildlife-and-nature.