NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF BARRIE
*************************
As of January 1, 2016, Barrie residents will only need to pay one fee to register their pet for life.
The one-time registration fee replaces the pet licence, which required pet owners to renew their pet’s licence and pay a fee each year.
All registrations received by Jan. 31, 2016 will be entered into a draw for a chance to win a $100 gift card.
The previous annual pet licence was required for dogs and cats, with a different fee for each.
There was also a different fee for pets that were neutered, and senior pet owners were exempted from the fee in the previous model.
In the new registration program, registration for cats is optional and the fees are consistent for all pet owners.
“This new pet registration program will save pet owners money and time,” said Gord Allison, Director of Building and By-law Services. “We’re also reducing our own costs to run the program by making it a one-time fee for the lifetime of the pet. We hope the new simplified process will encourage more pet owners to register their pets.”
New fees:
- New Pet Registration Fee, each dog or cat: $50 each
- Registration Fee for Previously Licensed Pets (in 2015): $25 each*
- Change of contact information (per owner): $10
* Pet owner must pay fee by Jan. 31, 2016, to be eligible for the discounted price ($25). If not paid by Jan. 31, 2016, the pet owner must pay the new registration fee of $50.
In Barrie, residents are required to register their dog(s) (cats are optional).
By-law Services staff regularly visit City dog parks to check for pet tags.
Anyone caught with an unregistered dog can face fines ranging from $150 to $5,000.
All residents must show confirmation that their pet has been pre-vaccinated for rabies at the time of registration.
This requirement helps ensure the community is safe and pets are healthy.
All registered pets in the City of Barrie are given one free ride home if the pet strays from their property and is retrieved by By-law Services.
Residents who register their pets are also given immediate contact if the pet is injured and is being transported to a veterinarian for care.
Pets must wear the registration tag at all times, so officers can retrieve ownership information.
Residents are encouraged to notify By-law Services of changes of address or pet ownership status so By-law can update their records.
There is a $10 cost to change contact information, but it is important that this information is kept up-to-date so pets can be returned if ever lost.
On March 9, 2015, Council asked staff in Building and By-law Services to undertake a review of the cost and revenues associated with pet licensing as well as opportunities to enhance the level of pet owner compliance with licensing requirements and streamlining the licensing process.
Council approved the new pet registration program on October 26.
To register your pet or find out more information, visit barrie.ca/Pets.
*************************
