Animal Services

Who We Are

The Towns of Aurora, East Gwillimbury and Georgina have amalgamated their animal services and signed a five-year agreement effective January 1, 2025. This five-year pilot project is a partnership that allows the three municipalities to work together to provide a higher level of animal services and extended coverage. Officers from the Town of Aurora provide animal services coverage seven-days-a-week across the three municipalities.

Coverage Details:

Respond to all by-law related concerns.
Respond to found/stray domestics (dogs/ cats).
Respond to sick/injured wildlife on Town Property.
Proactive patrols at Municipal parks and Regional Forests.
Conduct proactive Pet Licensing.
Promote responsible pet ownership.

Service Update

As of May 1, 2022, the Town of Aurora joined into a partnership with the Region of York to help support proactive compliance for off-leash concerns within the York Regional Forests. The Town of Aurora facilitates coverage for Georgina and East Gwillimbury (2025) regional tracts. If you have any off-leash concerns within the York Regional Trail system, please contact Animal Services at 1-877-979-7297 or email Animal services.

What We Do

Aurora’s Animal Services team’s objective is to educate and enforce all municipal related bylaws pertaining to domestic animals. While ensuring the safety and well-being of both residents and their pets within the community.

Animal Services Officers are responsible for the investigation of complaints filed by residents, conducting proactive patrols of public parks in the Town, and the picking up of lost, stray domestics and sick/injured wild animals. Animal Service officers also respond to aggressive dogs at large within the community and dog attacks.

Animal Services provides education programs to encourage responsible pet ownership and will assist with all sick / injured wildlife concerns on Town property. Animal Services will transfer sick / injured wildlife to our contracted rehabilitation centre.

The Town of Aurora’s Animal Services Department is contracted to provide services to The Town of Georgina and the Town of East Gwillimbury (wildlife only)

We can help with

• Sick / injured wildlife / in destress

• Lost Pet Reports

• A pet roaming without its owner (cat / dog)

• Deceased wildlife on Town owned property

• Deceased wildlife on private property (fees included)

• All municipal related bylaws pertaining to Animals

• Dog attacks / aggressive encounters

Pro-active enforcement for off-leash concerns at municipal parks 

Location and Hours 

Office Location:
Joint Operations Centre, 229 Industrial Parkway North, Aurora

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (holidays excluded)

Office Location:
Joint Operations Centre, 229 Industrial Parkway North, Aurora
Joint Operation Centre hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (holidays excluded)

Animal Control Officer hours:
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (subject to change)

Georgina Animal Shelter

Our shared shelter with the Town of Georgina is the Georgina Animal Shelter located at 26815 Civic Centre Road, Keswick, ON, L4P 3G1. 

Winter Hours of Operation (October 1 to May 31) 
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Summer Hours of Operation (June 1 to September 30) 
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Shelter Hours may vary on STAT Holidays.

Contact the Georgina Animal Shelter:

1-800-898-8606 or Email Georgina Animal Shelter

Georgina Animal Shelter and Adoption Centre

Pet Licensing

All dogs and cats in the Town of Aurora must be licensed (including service animals) under Animal Services By-law Number 6197-19. Resident’s can also visit the Customer Services Department located at 100 John West Way, Aurora, ON to obtain a license.

All pet owners must license their cats and dogs that are over the age of 12 weeks, or within 7 days of becoming a pet owner.

Learn more about licensing your pet.

Residents are encouraged to report any acts of aggression including dog-on-dog bites or dog-on-human bites. All acts of aggression will be investigated by Animal Services to determine if charges or orders may be necessary to address public safety within the Town of Aurora. All dog owners are subject to the ‘Dog Owner’s Liability Act’ in the event their dog attacks another domestic animal or a person.

Please report all dog bites by contacting 1-877-979-7297 or email animalservices@aurora.ca

Animal Removal on Private Property

Animal Services does not remove healthy wildlife from private or Town property. In the event you would like humane trapping or a removal service, please contact a pest/ wildlife removal company.

The Town has implemented a new service for residents to have deceased wildlife removed from their private property. If you are interested in having a deceased animal removed from your private property for a fee, please complete the online submission form.

All submission requests will need to be approved first and then a payment form will be sent to be completed. All removal requests will be accommodated within 24-48 hours during regular business hours.

Removal Options:

If the animal has been placed in a garbage bag and is ready for pick up the fee is $20
If the animal needs to be bagged and removed from the property, the fee is $40

If there is a deceased Animal located on a municipal roadway, please notify Access Aurora.

Animals in hot cars: Call York Regional Police at 1-866-876-5423 or 911 if it is an immediate medical emergency or call the Provincial Animal Welfare line 1-833-9-ANIMAL this service is available 24/7.

Nuisance wildlife on private property: Contact a private wildlife control company to assist with the safe and humane removal of healthy wildlife

Animal neglect, abuse or cruelty: Please contact the Provincial Animal Welfare line at 1-833-9-ANIMAL

Barking dogs after hours: Call York Regional Police at 1-866-876-5423 for an immediate response or by emailing the Town of Aurora’s Animal Services at animalservices@aurora.ca officers will follow up the following business day. 

Georgina Animal Shelter and Adoption Centre

This shelter and adoption centre provides essential care to stray cats and dogs in Aurora, Georgina and East Gwillimbury.

Residents can search for lost and found pets on their Facebook page at @GeorginaAnimalShelter.

Interested in meeting a pet available for adoption? Fill out an adoption application prior to an in-person adoption consultation. For more information, visit georgina.ca/PetAdoption

Call 1-800-898-8606 or email animal-control@georgina.ca or visit the Georgina Animal Shelter website.

Shades of Hope

Shades of Hope nurtures, treats and rehabilitates injured and orphaned native wildlife with the goal of releasing healthy animals back into their natural habitats. Call 705-437-4654 or email info@shadesofhope.ca. For more information visit the Shades of Hope website.

Provincial animal welfare services (AWS)

Animal Welfare Services (AWS) within the Ministry of the Solicitor General is responsible for enforcing the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act.

Abuse and neglect of any animal is not tolerated in Ontario. If you think an animal is in distress or is being abused, call 1-833-9-ANIMAL.

Provincial Animal Welfare Services website

Town of East Gwillimbury

The Town of Aurora is contracted to assist with all sick / injured wildlife within the Town of East Gwillimbury. This partnership was created in May 2022, to better service the residents of East Gwillimbury and it’s located wildlife. Animal Services contains and transports all sick / injured wildlife to Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge.

The Town of Georgina

The Town of Aurora has been contracted by the Town of Georgina since January 2019. The Town of Aurora provides a full-service for animal control. This includes picking up stray domestic animals, enforcing all municipal related bylaws, responding to sick / injured wildlife on Town property. Officers investigate all acts of aggression and dog bites. 

Home to Home

Home To Home is an online pet placement platform that helps pet owners find new homes (permanent or temporary) for their pets. Home To Home believes pets that need a new home do best if they can be transitioned directly from their current home to a new, loving home and avoid the stress of a stay at an animal shelter.

Learn more about the Home to Home program.

Dogs must be on a leash whenever they are in public, except for inside the leash-free dog park. A leash helps keep your dog safe and prevent them from:

1. Prevent Accidents: Leashes keep dogs from running into traffic or dangerous areas, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.
2. Control Interactions: Leashed dogs are easier to control in interactions with other dogs and people, preventing potential conflicts or aggressive behavior.
3. Protect Wildlife: Keeping dogs on a leash prevents them from chasing or harming wildlife, preserving local ecosystems.
4. Comply with Laws: Many areas have leash laws to ensure public safety. Keeping your dog on a leash helps you comply with these regulations and avoid fines.
5. Prevent Lost Pets: Leashes ensure your dog stays close, reducing the risk of them getting lost or running away.
6. Health and Hygiene: Leashes help you monitor your dog’s behavior, ensuring they don’t eat harmful substances or get into unsanitary areas.
7. Community Comfort: A leashed dog is less likely to frighten or disturb others, fostering a safer and more comfortable environment for everyone.

Clean up after your dog

All dog owners/walkers must pickup any dog waste.

To help dispose of dog waste the Town has installed several in-ground dog waste containers across our parks and trails.

These large capacity containers are installed below ground where the depth allows for cooler conditions and no direct sunlight, eliminating odours, maximizing capacity and reducing required frequency of service.

We ask all residents and visitors to dispose of their dog waste in on of these containers or bring it home and dispose of it in the green bin.

Why you should always remove dog waste

1. Health and Hygiene: Dog waste can contain harmful bacteria and parasites that can spread diseases to humans and other animals.
2. Environmental Protection: Dog waste left on the ground can contaminate water sources, affecting local ecosystems and wildlife.
3. Community Courtesy: Cleaning up after your dog keeps public spaces clean and enjoyable for everyone, promoting a positive community environment.
4. Preventing Pests: Dog waste can attract pests like flies and rodents, creating further health and hygiene issues.
5. Bylaws: The Town of Aurora has Bylaw requiring dog owners to clean up after their pets. Adhering to these laws helps you avoid fines and penalties.
6. Preserve Public Spaces: Keeping parks, sidewalks, and other public areas free of dog waste ensures these spaces remain usable and pleasant for all.

Off-Leash Dog Park

Aurora has one off-leash dog park called Canine Commons, located at 315 Industrial Parkway North. Residents and visitors can let their dogs roam around the dog park leash free. Please pick up after your dog and place all dog waste in the provided receptacles right outside the dog park gate.

Canine Commons - Leash Free Dog Park
315 Industrial Parkway North

If you or your family are looking to add a new pet to the family, we encourage you visit the Georgina Animal Shelter and Adoption Centre to see if one of the animals available could be your forever pet.

Before adopting a pet ask yourself and your family the following questions:

• Am I financially ready to take on the responsibility of owning a pet?
• Is this pet's breed and type suitable for my family's lifestyle?
• Do I have enough time to socialize, exercise, and train a pet?
• Am I ready for unexpected medical emergencies?
• Will I commit to training my pet, even if they develop unwanted behaviors?
• Am I prepared to care for this pet throughout its entire lifetime?

If you answered yes to all the following questions, then we encourage you to check shelters and local rescues to find your forever pet.

Resources

Animal Services - By-law No. 6197-19

 Frequently Asked Questions

Where will my dog or cat go if it is picked up by Animal Services?

If your animal is picked up by an Animal Services Officer and there is no identification or if the owners cannot be reached, the animal will be brought to the Georgina Animal Shelter. The shelter is located at 26815 Civic Centre Road, Keswick, ON L4P 3G1 and can be contacted at 1-800-898-8606.

What is the 'Free Ride Home' program?

Each year, Animal Services Officers will give one free ride home to licensed/microchipped dogs or cats if they are found in the community. This means the animal won't have to go to the shelter. The first shelter impound fee of the calendar year of $25 is also waived for animals found at large when they come into the shelter with an up-to-date license.

Where can I buy a dog/cat license?

You can order your dog or cat license online through DocuPet or by calling DocuPet at 1-855-249-1370. You can also visit your local municipal Town Hall to purchase a pet license. At this time, the Town of Georgina does not issue cat licenses.

Who do I call if I have lost my pet or found a lost pet?

Contact us at 1-877-979-7297 or by emailing Animal Services. Provide a description of the animal with name, identifying marks, microchip number, whether it has a collar or any tags, location of where it was found or where it went missing. If possible please send in a picture of the animal. Posting notices on social media about your lost pet also helps. If you’re looking for a lost pet, ask your neighbours to assist. Also, check with the Georgina Animal Shelter at 1-800-898-8606 to report your lost pet in the event that a member of the public has brought your animal into the facility. 

Who do I call to complain about barking dogs/stray dogs/cats/poop and scoop?

Please report all concerns surrounding barking dogs, stray dogs or cats and issues surrounding failure to poop and scoop at 1-877-979-7297 or by emailing Animal Services. 

Who do I call to report a dog/cat attack on me or my pet? 

If a dog/cat attacks or bites you or your pet, contact us at 1-877-979-7297 or by emailing Animal Services. Please note, if your dog has attacked another domestic animal or human, it is your responsibility to maintain public safety. Please keep your pet with you until other arrangements have been made. 

Does my dog or cat require a municipal license tag?

Yes, dogs and cats are required by the Town’s bylaw to be licenced within the town they reside in.

Who do I call to report animal cruelty?

To report concerns about animal distress or abuse can be reported to the Ontario Animal Protection Call Centre at 1-833-926-4625.

I can no longer care for my pet, what do I do?

If you feel you are unable to care for your pet, please contact the Town of Aurora’s Animal Services and the Georgina Animal shelter for surrender inquiries. Residents will be provided with a list of rescuers to reach out to if the shelter is at capacity.

Surrendering your pet to a shelter or a rescue allows them to get the information they need on the age, breed, behavior history, vaccination status and more so they can find a good home for your pet.

If you are struggling and unable to care for your pet, please reach out to Aurora Animal Services at 1-877-979-7297 and you will be provided with a list of resources. 

I found a dead animal on Town property. Who can I call to remove it?

If you have found a dead animal on Town property (roadway, parks and boulevards) contact us at 1-877-979-7297 or by emailing Animal services.

Dead wildlife found on private property is the responsibility of the home owner. If you do not want to collect and dispose of the dead animal yourself, there are private businesses that can be hired to do this for a fee. Please contact your local Pest Control / Wildlife Removal Agency for more information. Should you decide to remove the deceased wildlife yourself, it is suggested that you:

• wear rubber gloves or protective material
• wear protective eye wear
• throw away any used gloves or protective material in the garbage
• wash your hands thoroughly after removing gloves and handling carcasses
• disinfect any tool(s) that came into contact with the animal or animal waste

**If you ever break skin resulting in bleeding as a direct result of contact with a carcass or tools used in the movement of the carcass, or if you are ever bitten or scratched by a wild animal, cat or dog resulting in broken skin and bleeding, please contact York Region Health Connection Line at 905-895-4511. Press 1 and then 4.

Will the Town remove nuisance wildlife from my home or property?

The Town does not respond to nuisance wildlife. Residents need to follow the recommendations on the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) website or contact a wildlife removal company.

Who do I call for sick and injured wildlife on Town/Private property?

If you have found sick or injured wildlife on Town (roadways, parks and boulevards) or private property, contact Animal Services at 1-877-979-7297 or by emailing Animal Services. The Towns of Aurora and Georgina remove sick/injured wildlife only. For tips on how to control nuisance wildlife visit our wildlife webpage. 

Did you know that it is illegal to keep wildlife in captivity unless you are operating a licensed rehabilitation centre?

If you suspect you have found orphaned wildlife please do not handle the animal or offer it any food or water. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitation centre in your area or Animal Services at 1-877-979-7297. To view a listing of licensed rehabilitation centres visit Ontario Wildlife Rescue.