Learn more about the City's animal licensing and pound services. You can also discover more about our off-leash dog parks and urban wildlife information.

Municipal Law Enforcement Officers respond to calls dealing with dogs in the City of Thunder Bay. Municipal Enforcement Services can impound stray dogs, and help reunite them with their owners. Officers also investigate issues with vicious dogs, or dog bites.

Found pets

If you've found a stray dog, please contact Municipal Enforcement Services at 807-577-MLEO (6536). Do not attempt to deliver pets to the pound. We can only accept animals that are found running at large and are captured by a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer. If you find an animal running at large, place call our office. An officer will attend the area and capture the animal. Officers are on duty seven days a week.

Please have the following information available:

  • Your name, address and phone number
  • Where you found the animal
  • Dog licence tag number
  • Collar
  • Tattoos (if any)
  • Breed of animal
  • Colour or any special identifying features
  • Gender (if known)

We may be able to connect the dog with its owner if there is valid dog licence information.

Only Municipal Law Enforcement Officers can impound dogs at large if unlicenced. They will be brought to the city pound until they can be returned to their owner, or adopted through our animal partners network. Pound fees and/or fines may apply to impounded animals.

Lost pets

Call 807-577-MLEO (6536) or visit the Municipal Pound at 882 Alloy Place (off Central Avenue) to claim a stray dog. Stray dogs will be held for a minimum of three working days. Pound hours are Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., by phone appointment.

Report a missing animal

Please contact Municipal Enforcement Services at 807-577-MLEO (6536).

Stray cats may be found at the Thunder Bay and District Humane Society. They can be contacted at 807-475-8803.

Animal response by Enforcement Officers

Municipal Law Enforcement Officers will only respond to the following calls involving animals:

  • Dogs threatening public safety
  • Stray dog pick-up
  • Dog bite investigations
  • Injured dogs or cats - must be on City property
  • Pick-up of dead dogs and cats from City property

As a pet owner or a possible pet owner, it is important to familiarize yourself with the City's policies around pet care. View the City by-laws related to animals. 

Pet licences and fees

Pets must be licensed within 14 days of ownership. You need to keep the licence on your pet at all times. This helps us find lost pets.

Licensing fees (2024)

  • $65.00 annually for an unaltered dog 
  • $65.00 annually for an unaltered cat
  • $50.00 annually for an unaltered dog or cat with a microchip implant
  • $40.00 annually for an altered dog
  • $40.00 annually for an altered cat
  • $75.00 for a lifetime licence for an altered dog with a microchip implant
  • $75.00 for a lifetime licence for an altered cat with a microchip implant

Make sure you have proof of your pet's spay or neuter certificate and microchip implant certificate before you purchase your licence.

You can apply in person at the Municipal Enforcement Services building at 882 Alloy Drive, or visit one of the following locations:

  • Highview Animal Clinic, 860 Red River Road
  • Northwestern Veterinary Hospital, 1160 Oliver Road
  • Thunder Bay and District Humane Society, 1535 Rosslyn Road
  • Thunder Bay Veterinary Hospital, 920 Carrick Street

Microchipping gives us a permanent way of identifying a lost pet and helps us return it back to its owner.

Impoundment and Administrative Release fees (2024)

  • First day on first offence $65.00
  • Each additional day $35.00
  • First day on second offence (within calendar year) $150.00
  • Second day on second offence (within calendar year) $65.00
  • Administrative Release Fee (return without fine laid, includes first night) $140.00
  • Administrative Animal Care Fee (starting second night) $35.00 per night
  • Running at large $195.00 (minimum fine) to $5,000.00 (maximum fine for repeat offenders)
  • Failure to licence $195.00 (minimum fine) to $5,000.00 (maximum fine for repeat offenders)

Hours and location

Please note that the Municipal Enforcement Services office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Municipal Law Enforcement Officers are available to respond to calls 7 days per week. Calls to our dispatch line, at 807-577-MLEO (6536). Calls received after hours will be directed to a 24-hour answering service, where complaints can be opened for follow-up by the next available officer.

Animal By-laws

As a pet owner or a possible pet owner, it is important to familiarize yourself with the City's policies around pet care. View the City by-laws related to animals.

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