Canine Control
Tay Township has partnered with DocuPet to make pet licensing and renewals faster and easier for pet owners. Each licensed dog receives a DocuPet tag linked to an online pet profile and access to HomeSafe®, a 24/7 lost pet recovery service.
DocuPet provides a secure, user-friendly online platform where pet owners can:
- Register and renew licenses
- Manage pet information in one place
- Complete the licensing process quickly and conveniently
Why License Your Pet
- If your pet is lost or involved in an emergency, a license provides information needed to contact you.
- Lost pets are returned home faster and spends less time in shelters.
- It is a legal requirement and you could be fined without a pet license.
The Townships Canine Control and Dog Licensing By-law regulates the ownership and behavior of dogs, preventing issues such as noise, dogs at large and potential dangers. The By-law also promotes responsible pet ownership, facilitates identification of dogs and owners and helps manage rabies vaccinations through licensing.
All dog owners in Tay Township must obtain a dog license for each dog they own, abide by "poop & scoop" regulations and keep dogs on a leash when out in the Township.
Pet licensing can be completed online in just a few minutes through the secure DocuPet platform.
To complete the licensing process, residents will need their pet’s information and proof of rabies vaccination.
For residents who do not have access to the internet, in-person registration is available at the Municipal Office, 450 Park Street, Victoria Harbour during regular business hours. Please note that dog tags will be mailed to those who register in person.
Please note that staff may allow individuals who have not purchased tags in compliance with the by-law a time frame to do so. However, failure to license a dog within the given time frame may result in a fine, and the requirement to still purchase the tags.
It is a Provincial requirement that dogs and cats over three months old are vaccinated for rabies. Vaccinations will not only protect your pets from acquiring rabies but will also help protect you and your family if your pet comes into contact with the saliva from a rabid wild animal.
Kennel Licenses must be purchased in person at the Township office. Please complete the application form and bring it into the Township office to make payment. Once payment has been received and your application has been reviewed, a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer will contact you to arrange an inspection.
Tay Township has a limit of two dogs permitted per household. Licensed Kennels are exempted from this rule.
Care Animal and Pest Control has been contracted by the Township to provide pound keeper services including after hour services, effective May 1, 2018.
The pound keeper is responsible for housing stray and lost dogs found in the Township by Municipal Law Enforcement Officers and residents until they are claimed by their owner. Care Animal and Pest Control offers adoption services for dogs that are not reclaimed.
They are located at 2241 Old Fort Road and can be reached at 705-526-6716.
To report dogs at large, dog bites, barking dogs or poop-and-scoop violations contact Tay Township Municipal Law Enforcement Services at 705-534-7248 and press 2, or email mleo@tay.ca
If you are looking for your lost dog, please contact Care Animal Pest Control at 705-526-6716, located at 2241 Old Fort Road.
Care Animal and Pest Control (the pound keeper) is responsible for housing stray and lost dogs found in the Township by Municipal Law Enforcement Officers and residents until they are claimed by their owner. Care Animal and Pest Control offers adoption services for dogs that are not reclaimed.
In addition, through our pet licensing partnership with DocuPet, every license tag comes with complimentary access to HomeSafe®, a 24/7 lost pet service with live support, which has reunited thousands of pets with their families through linked tags and secure online profiles.
File a Lost Pet Report with DocuPet
If your pet goes missing, you can file a Lost Pet Report immediately, triggering alerts to community members, local shelters, Petco Love Lost, and the National Animal Shelter Network.
When someone finds your pet, they can use the unique code on the tag to submit a Found Pet Report, helping you reunite quickly. You can file a Lost Pet Report anytime at tay.docupet.com.
File a Found Pet Report
If you find a dog wearing a DocuPet tag, you can report them as found by entering the tag’s unique code online or by calling DocuPet’s 24/7 hotline at 1-877-239-6072. The report gathers key details, such as where and when the pet was found to help their family reconnect with them as quickly as possible.
All dogs and cats over three months of age must be vaccinated against rabies, according to the law. The OSPCA Midland & District Animal Centre's clinic is specifically for residents of Midland, Penetanguishene, Tay, Tiny, and Christian Island who are on a subsidized income and do not have access to regular veterinary care. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details or to check eligibility, feel free to reach out to midland@ontariospca.ca. When clinics are active, the schedule is posted on the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website.
Concerns about animal distress, neglect, abuse, or abandonment, can be reported to the Ontario Animal Protection Call Centre at 1-833-9-ANIMAL (1-833-926-4625).
For more information, visit Ontario's Animal Welfare Services webpage.
Tay Township Municipal Law Enforcement Officers do not investigate or enforce concerns relating to animal distress, neglect, abuse, or abandonment.
Always remember to keep your dog on a leash when out in the Township unless you are at the Leash-Free Park located at the OSPCA grounds, 5123 Talbot St. in Port McNicoll. Our local humane society provides a number of services, including pet adoptions and can be reached at (705) 534-4459.
Be a responsible pet owner and learn more about the licensing and control of dogs within the Township.
Tay Township
450 Park Street, PO Box 100
Victoria Harbour
ON L0K 2A0
Phone: 705-534-7248
Municipal Law Enforcement
General Inquiries
705-534-7248 option 2
mleo@tay.ca