Municipal Animal Services in Norfolk County, ON
Although residents and visitors expect there to be an option to call if there is an injured animal in a park or if they find a stray animal, in Norfolk County, ON there is only an option for Dogs running at large.
Over the years, many municipalities have expanded their animal control programs to provide a wide range of services. But that expansion is not universal, and in some area municipalities, such as Norfolk County, little response for animals other than dogs is provided.
Ontario law puts primary responsibility for animal control onto municipalities.
Municipalities are not required to provide animal control services except in situations where they have passed a bylaw (for example, if there is a bylaw against dogs running at large there must be an animal control program to enforce the bylaw).
Norfolk County does not include response for any species other than dogs. They do not respond to any species of sick or injured or nuisance animals as part of its animal control contract.
That means that if you find a sick or injured animal on public property anywhere in Norfolk County, there is NO help through County Resources. Norfolk County does not have ANY provisions for responding to even critically injured or sick cats or wildlife.
A private business/kennel is contracted with the County to address dogs running at large.
For years, Simcoe and District Humane Society has tried to respond rather than leave an animal in distress or need, but with increased demand our resources are stretched thin. We need ALL area municipalities to take responsibility for animal control for all species (domestic and wild) in their community.
Simcoe and District Humane Society will still assist residents with injured or sick stray cats, stray domestic small animals and will provide directions to find resources to help sick, injured, orphaned wildlife.
Norfolk County Residents live in a municipality that lacks animal-related services and will not get help from County Services.
Imagine finding a cat hit by a car, dying on the side of the road, and having your town hall tell you that “the municipality doesn’t have any responsibility to assist” or “They don’t have any programs for any animals but dogs at large”.
Remember, change will only happen if our elected officials hear that residents of Norfolk County want it.
Be sure to sign the petition and let them know that as a resident you expect your municipality to provide comprehensive animal services.
Municipalities also have the ability to pass bylaws relating to public health and public safety (dangerous dog enforcement, exotic animal prohibitions), relating to welfare (tethering bylaws or others standards of care), or regarding land use (feeding or ownership of farm animals). These are not included here as this information is focused on the response offered for stray animals.