Animal Services

Fort Saskatchewan’s Animal Services team helps keep pets and residents safe through licensing, bylaw enforcement, and lost-and-found support. Learn how to license your pet, report concerns, and access resources for responsible pet ownership in our community.

Please report a missing animal, an animal noise complaint, or a dead animal through Fort Report or by calling Municipal Enforcement Services at 780-997-7930.

Pet ownership

Fort Saskatchewan’s Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw regulates the ownership of dogs, cats, domestic pigeons and domestic rabbits.

• People may own up to three dogs and / or three cats.
  • Pet licenses are no longer required.
  • All dogs and cats must wear a visible tag on a collar or harness that displays owners phone number. Some exceptions apply, but failure to comply can result in fines.
  • Dogs and cats may be taken outdoors, but must be on a leash.
• A person may own or keep no more than four pigeons or rabbits in any combination.
  • Pigeons and rabbits must always be in a fully enclosed pen maintained in a clean, sanitary, and inoffensive condition and not located within two meters of the premises’ boundary.
• No person is permitted to own or keep within the City any prohibited animal:
  • Livestock;
  • Bees (unless issued a permit);
  • Poisonous snakes, poisonous reptiles, or poisonous insects;
  • Any other animal except a dog, nuisance dog, restricted dog or cat, in the adult form or weighing more than 5kg or young of that animal. 

Animal control

Lost Pets

If your lost pet was found by Municipal Enforcement, and it was wearing a tag clearly displaying the owners phone number, an officer will call you as soon as possible to arrange for you to be reunited with your pet.

All lost pets which do not have a visible tag on them with owner information will be posted on the Fort Saskatchewan Animal Control Facebook page. If your pet is not listed, and you have not been contacted, call Municipal Enforcement at 780-997-7930, and your information will be collected, and efforts will be made to try and locate your missing pet.

If a pet remains unclaimed after 72 hours, Municipal Enforcement will transfer the care of the animal to a partnering shelter or rescue.

Cat Control

Cat owners or caregivers are not permitted to release cats off-leash outdoors. If they do, the animal may be seized, and the owner or caregiver may be fined.

While property owners can take steps to deter cats from their yards, remember you cannot do anything to harm the animal.

Property owners can take steps to deter unwanted cats from their yards and flower beds humanely:

• Choose plants and herbs that naturally deter cats by giving off smells cats dislike, such as Citronella, Coleus, Lavender, Lemongrass, Pennyroyal, and Rue.
• Purchase and use cat and dog repellent sprays or granules available at local hardware and department stores.
• Gently spray or splash water on a cat to keep them away.
• Remove food sources that may attract cats to your yard.
• Ensure garbage/compost bins are securely shut.
• Bury chicken wire in the soil of your flower beds that you don't want cats to enter or dig in.
• Municipal Enforcement has a small stock of cat traps that may be rented to trap cats humanely. You must check the trap daily and surrender the cat to Municipal Enforcement.

Cats in distress or abused

If you suspect a stray or abandoned cat is in distress or has been abused, please contact:

Fort Saskatchewan Municipal Enforcement Services
Phone: 780-997-7930

Alberta SPCA
Phone: 1-800-455-9003

Wild Animals

City staff do not remove or relocate wildlife under any circumstances. Please report all concerns to Alberta Fish and Wildlife: 780-427-3574 Option 4.

Coyotes in Fort Saskatchewan

If you see a coyote, don’t panic; respond with confidence. Shout in a firm, deep voice, wave your arms to look bigger, and throw sticks or rocks toward (not at) the coyote. Back away slowly, never run.

If you're concerned or notice repeated sightings, call Municipal Enforcement at 780-997-7930. Your reports help us monitor and manage problem areas.