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Dogs

The Peterborough Humane Society has been contracted by Selwyn Township to provide animal control and pound services.

  • General Inquiries: 705-745-4722 ext. 200 or email info@ptbohs.com
  • Animal Control: 705-745-4722 ext. 215 (for After Hours Emergency your call will be forwarded to an on-call service)
  • Spay/Neuter Clinic: 705-775-9034

Lost Dogs

Through our partnership with DocuPet, every Township of Selwyn licence tag comes with the free HomeSafe® 24/7 lost pet service, which has helped reunite thousands of pets using linked tags and online profiles.

If you find a pet wearing a DocuPet licence tag, you can report them as found in two ways: directly through the information included on their licence tag, or by calling DocuPet’s 24/7 hotline to submit a Found Pet Report. These reports provide key details about the pet’s location and condition, helping to ensure a quick and seamless reunion with their family.

Although Selwyn Township does not license cats, cat owners may purchase a DocuPet tag for their feline friend and take advantage of the free HomeSafe® 24/7 lost pet service.

Dog Licences

Peterborough Humane Society has partnered with DocuPet to provide pet licensing for Township of Selwyn residents. Each licence includes DocuPet’s free HomeSafe® 24/7 lost pet service and the option to choose a standard tag at no cost or upgrade to a customizable designer tag for a small fee.

Designer tags not only add a personal touch but also support the Peterborough Humane Society—20% of each purchase is donated through DocuPet’s Safe & Happy Fund.

All licence tags, whether standard or designer, act as your pet’s official Township of Selwyn licence and include the HomeSafe® service, which uses dispatch staff and online profiles to quickly reunite lost pets with their families.

All dogs living in the Township of Selwyn must be licensed each year by December 31.

Licence Your Dog

Fees

Proof of rabies vaccination is required for all licence types. 

Annual Fee for spayed/neutered dogs (proof of alteration required) $15.00 annually
Annual Fee for unaltered dogs $20.00 annually
Replacement Tags $10.00
Late fee (30 days from renewal date: effective April 1, 2024) $10.00

Fees will not be refunded or re-evaluated throughout the year. When you apply for your dog's licence the following year, you will be able to upload your supporting documentation for the reduced fee code. 

Legacy Lifetime Licences: Requesting a DocuPet Tag

If you purchased a lifetime (one-time fee) licence through the Township of Selwyn your licence and tag remains valid, but to get the most of DocuPet's HomeSafe® 24/7 lost pet service, you can use this form to request a new DocuPet tag, free of charge.

Keep Your Information Up-to-Date

Each DocuPet licence tag is etched with a unique 8-digit code that links directly to the pet's profile. Pet owners can update these profiles with essential details to help identify and care for their pets if they go missing. Profiles can include emergency contacts, medical information such as allergies, medications, or health conditions, and veterinary details like the name and contact information of the pet’s veterinarian for quick access to professional care.

Owners can also add specific care instructions, such as feeding schedules or behavioural tips, and upload clear photos to make identifying their pet easier. Keeping profiles up-to-date ensures anyone accessing the information has what they need to assist in the pet's safe return or care.

Low-Cost Rabies Clinics

Provincial law requires that all cats and dogs over three months of age in Peterborough City and County must be vaccinated for rabies. Vaccinations protect pets from rabies and helps protect your family, if your pet is bitten by a rabid wild animal. 

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) holds low-cost rabies clinics throughout Peterborough County each year.

Kennel Operations

Kennels are permitted on properties zoned Agriculture (A) and Rural (RU), subject to compliance with Section 3.20 of the Zoning By-law. Anyone who has more than three dogs over the age of three months, at one location, must obtain a kennel licence. This does not include a veterinary clinic or hospital under the care of a licensed veterinarian. 

Apply for a Kennel Licence

Please contact the Building & Planning Department to apply for a Kennel Licence.

Annual Kennel Fee $125.00

Stoop and Scoop

Selwyn Township enforces a Stoop and Scoop By-law. You must pick up after your dog when they go to the washroom on any property other than your own property. Failure to comply with dog regulations can result in a maximum fine of $5,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

Selwyn Township has an Animal Control By-law and Stoop and Scoop By-law, which are enforced on the Township’s behalf by PHS. Key points include:

  • Dog must be licenced and have a dog tag;
  • Dogs must be on a leash when not on the owner’s property;
  • Generally, a maximum of three dogs are permitted (some exceptions include licenced kennels
  • No licencing for cats, however the owner is responsible for preventing cats from roaming at large;
  • Poop and scoop rules apply;
  • There are a number of animals that are prohibited (see the Animal Control By-law for a full list).

The Provincial Dog Owner Liability Act (DOLA) – PHS may lay charges under DOLA for dog bites/attacks

  • If charges are laid, a hearing will be set to address these charges and a judge will make a ruling. 

All dogs must be licensed in Selwyn Township. 
Current licensing and tags contain important owner information, which is used reunite dogs with their owners.

Ways to License

Online

The easiest way to license your pet is by registering online through the DocuPet platform online at peterborough.docupet.com.

By Mail

Residents may purchase a licence through the mail by sending in a completed licence application.

In Person

Residents may license in person at the Selwyn Township Municipal Office (1310 Centre Line, Selwyn) during business hours. Be sure to bring your dog’s spay/neuter documentation (if applicable).

Through our partnership with DocuPet, every Township of Selwyn licence tag includes the free HomeSafe® 24/7 lost pet service, which has reunited thousands of pets through linked tags and online profiles.

If your pet goes missing, log in to your DocuPet account, navigate to their profile, and submit a Lost Pet Report with details about their last known location. This instantly alerts the HomeSafe® dispatch team, providing them with your pet’s information and any contact details or tips you’ve chosen to share.

Finders can reach out in two ways: directly through the information included on their licence tag, or via DocuPet’s 24/7 hotline by submitting a Found Pet Report. These reports quickly relay key details about your pet’s location and condition, ensuring a smooth and swift reunion.

You can see animals that are now available for adoption at the:

  • Lakefield Animal Welfare Society by visiting their adoption page. They are located at 2887 Lakefield Road (County Road 29), Peterborough. 
  • Peterborough Humane Society, by visiting their adoption page. They are located at 385 Lansdowne St. E., Peterborough.

You can make a complaint by calling the Peterborough Humane Society's Animal Control Department at 705-745-4722 ext. 215 (for After Hours Emergency your call will be forwarded to an on-call service) or by emailing animalcontrol@ptbohs.com. Complaints are confidential.

You can report a biting dog or attack by contacting the Peterborough Humane Society's Animal Control Department at 705-745-4722 ext. 215 (for After Hours Emergency your call will be forwarded to an on-call service) or by emailing animalcontrol@ptbohs.com. If you require medical attention, please go immediately to Peterborough Regional Health Centre and report a dog bite.

What happens when a dog bite or attack occurs. Note: These are general timeframes as circumstance may vary.  

  • Police and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) may respond or person may need to seek medical attention;
  • If wounds are assessed and treated at a hospital or health care facility, the dog bite is logged through Peterborough Public Health (PPH) and PPH orders the dog to be placed in a 10 day quarantine. This is to make sure the animal in question does not have rabies (regardless of immunization); 
  • Incidents need to be reported to the Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) Animal Control Department at 705-745-4722 ext. 215 (for After Hours Emergency your call will be forwarded to an on-call service). PHS investigates the incident per the Township's Animal Control By-law and the Provincial Dog Owner Liability Act (DOLA). As part of the investigation: 
    • PHS may seize the dog and/or issue a muzzle order to implement immediate safety measures to protect the public. Depending on the incident, PHS may file charges under DOLA within 1 to 2 weeks from the date of the incident; 
      • Seizure of a dangerous/harmful dog is permitted under certain circumstances in the province when there is an immediate threat (e.g. dog owner not present), if a dog is being used as a weapon, dog has rabies and poses a community health risk, etc.

    • PHS will ensure that the dog(s) be licenced and have a dog tag. Municipalities, including Selwyn Township, have the authority to require that all dogs owned by residents/tenants in the municipality be licenced and have a dog tag. The purpose of the tag is to ensure that if the dog becomes lost, it can reunited with the owner.

For cases of cruelty (such as abuse, neglect, abandonment and animal care issues) contact the Ontario Solicitor General's Animal Protection Unit at 1-833-9ANIMAL (1-833-926-4625).

No, there are not any off-leash dog parks in Selwyn Township. The closest off-leash dog park is located in the City of Peterborough. For information and location of the City's off-leash dog park, please visit the City's Off-Leash Dog Park page.

Injured stray dogs and cats can be reported to the Peterborough Humane Society's Animal Services Department at 705-745-4722 ext. 215 (for After Hours Emergency your call will be forwarded to an on-call service).

If you have found an injured or abandoned wild animal, please contact Ontario Wildlife Rescue.

Contact Us

Township of Selwyn

1310 Centre Line
Selwyn, Ontario
Canada K9J 6X5

(705) 292-9507

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