Water Restrictions in Effect for Lakefield & Woodland Acres

Each year, we ask you to follow lawn watering restrictions to ensure there is enough water for everyone. Non-compliance may result in a $50 surcharge on your water bill under By-Law 2010-045.

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Dogs

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Pound Services are provided by the Peterborough Humane Society and the fees raised by Dog Licencing are used to offset the cost of this service to the Township of Selwyn.

The Peterborough Humane Society posts images of recently found pets on their website in an effort to reunite them with their families. To find out if your lost pet is at the Peterborough Humane Society call 705-745-4722 ext. 215 or email ac@ptbohs.com as soon as possible.

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.

Lakelands Public Health holds low-cost rabies clinics throughout Peterborough County each year.

Kennel Operations

Township of Selwyn Animal Control By-law (By-law 2019-104 & 2024-080) and  Comprehensive Zoning By-law (By-law No. 2009-021) section 3.20 outlines provisions for operating a Kennel.

A Kennel Licence is required if you keep more than three dogs over the age of three months on a property.

Kennel Licences are only available for properties located in eligible zoning areas. Properties that are not zoned to permit a kennel are not eligible for a Kennel Licence and cannot keep more than three dogs over the age of three months.

This requirement does not apply to a veterinary clinic or hospital operated under the care of a licensed veterinarian.

To determine if your property is located in an eligible zoning area or to apply for a Kennel Licence, please email licensing@selwyntownship.ca or call 705-292-9507 ext. 248.

Annual Kennel Fee $125.00

Stoop and Scoop

Selwyn Township has 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.

Peterborough Humane Society

Pound services are provided by the Peterborough Humane Society and the fees raised by Dog Licencing are used to offset the cost of this service to the Township of Selwyn.

General Inquiries: 705-745-4722 ext. 200 or email info@ptbohs.com

Spay/Neuter Clinic: 705-775-9034

Frequently Asked Questions

Selwyn Township has an Animal Control By-law and Stoop and Scoop By-law.

  • 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;
  • Stoop 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) – The Township of Selwyn may lay charges under DOLA for dog bites/attacks.

All dogs must be licensed in Selwyn Township. 

Ways to License

Online

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

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).

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 online.

You can report a biting dog or attack online or by contacting the Township at 705-292-9507 ext. 248. 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. 

  • 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 Lakelands Public Health (LPH) and LPH 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 Township Animal Control online or by calling 705-292-9507 ext. 248. The Township investigates the incident per the Township's Animal Control By-law and the Provincial Dog Owner Liability Act (DOLA). As part of the investigation: 
    • We may seize the dog and/or issue a muzzle order to implement immediate safety measures to protect the public. Depending on the incident, we may file charges under DOLA; 
      • 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.
    • We will ensure that the dog(s) are 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.

Note: These are general timeframes as circumstance may vary.  

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 or dogs at large can be reported to the Township online or by calling 705-292-9507 ext. 248.

To surrender a found stray animal to the Peterborough Humane Society, call their Animal Services department at (705) 745-4722 ext. 215.

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