FAQs

Regardless of a dog or cat’s (and owner's) lifestyle, the Town of Ajax requires that all dogs and cats are licensed/registered on an annual basis. In addition, Ontario Regulation 567, Health Protection and Promotion Act, requires that all dogs and cats be vaccinated against rabies.

You can licence your cat or dog at Town Hall, Monday to Friday during the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm. We also offer door to door sales for your convenience. Many Veterinarians in Ajax also have the ability to issue licences to your cat or dog.

The cost for a cat or dog licence is $20.00 for an animal that has been altered and $30.00 for an animal that is unaltered. There is a $5.00 reduction if the cat or dog has been micro-chipped.

The money received for pet licensing/registration allows us to feed and shelter stray animals found in Ajax, support the rescue of lost and/or homeless animals that are injured or in need of veterinary care, provide emergency medical care for sick and/or injured dogs and cats, 24 hours per day, return lost pets, and help to provide public education programs.

Ajax and Whitby have a shared Shelter agreement.

The Shelter address is:
4680 Thickson Road North
Whitby, ON
L1N 5R3

The hours of operation for the public to access the Shelter are:
Mondays - 8:30am - 4:00pm
Tuesdays - Fridays - 8:30am - 7:00pm
Saturdays 9:00am - 4:30pm

Shelter staff will be available for telephone calls from the public one hour prior to opening times every day and from 8:00am to 4:30pm on Sundays. The number for the Shelter is (905) 655-0283.

The Town of Ajax believes that in-house animal enforcement and the shared agreement with the Town of Whitby for shelter service will result in an enhanced service at a more affordable cost for Ajax residents.

Complaints for bylaw infractions such as a dog or cat at large, carcass on the roadway that is not creating an imminent hazard to motorists, a stray that the complainant has taken control of, dog or cat excrement not being removed by the owner, or a dog or cat that has not been licenced, etc., may be reported by calling (905) 683-8275 or by email to animalservices@townofajax.com .

Our after-hours services can also be reached by calling (905) 683-8275. Ajax Animal Services will only respond to emergencies between the hours of 8:30pm and 8:30am. The following are the only emergencies that they will go out to:

• an injured animal (domestic or wild) on Town property (includes roadways and boulevards);
• an animal carcass on the road way that poses an imminent hazard to motorists;
• aggressive dog or dog that is at large that has bitten or attacked a person or another animal; or
• a request from Durham Regional Police for an Animal Services Officer to attend

Animal noise complaints can be reported by calling (905) 683-8275 or by email to animalservices@townofajax.com . As part of our investigation, we will make sure the owner is in compliance with the Town of Ajax’s Cat and Dog By-law. No owner of a dog shall, knowingly or not knowingly, allow the dog to howl or bark excessively. For the purposes of this section, a dog shall be deemed to be howling or barking excessively if it does so repeatedly for a period of twenty (20) minutes or longer. An Animal Services Officer will visit the residence of the barking dog and advise the owner of the dog that we have received a complaint and that the owner should take action to correct the problem. Should the problem persist then the complainant will be contacted by an Animal Services Officer and you will be requested to keep a Barking Log. Complainants must be prepared to go to Court and provide testimony if required.

If you believe the dog is barking because it is suffering or in distress, contact the Humane Society of Durham Region at 905-433-2022.

Every pet shop operating within the Town of Ajax must comply with Pet Shop By-law. This By-law makes sure businesses follow standards for Pet Shops as outlined by the Town of Ajax. This By-law makes the Owners of Pet Shops responsible to provide adequate and appropriate care for the animals in the Shop and ensures that the animals are kept in a sanitary condition. If you are concerned regarding the condition of a Pet Shop in the Town of Ajax please call (905) 683-8275.

The Town of Ajax Cat and Dog By-law states that no dwelling unit may contain more than two(2) dogs or three(3) cats. Our Exotic Pet By-law may be checked regarding other pets you may own.

Human contact with any warm blooded animal whether it is domestic or wild (fox, raccoon, bat, etc...) should be reported immediately to the Durham Region Health Department at one of the following numbers:

• Main Office (Whitby) (905) 668-7711 ext. 3232 or 1-800-841-2724.

Report the dog bite to Ajax Animal Services at (905) 683-8275, or email us animalservices@townofajax.com .

Report the dog bite or incident to Ajax Animal Services at (905) 683-8275, or email us animalservices@townofajax.com .

How quickly an officer can respond to a call depends upon the priority calls that need to be serviced first (e.g., sick or injured animal). Calls involving an immediate danger or injury to an animal or person are of higher priority than the pick up of a dead animal.

If you have found a lost dog or cat and it is wearing a Town of Ajax tag, contact our shared Shelter at 1-866-788-7387 (PETS) or (905)-655-0283 to try to locate an owner. If you are unsuccessful please contact Ajax Animal Services at (905) 683-8275 and an Officer will pick up the dog or cat during the hours of 8:30am and 8:00pm, and we will deliver it to our shared Shelter.

If you have found an animal that is not wearing any identification (e.g., tag), please contact Ajax Animal Services at (905) 683-8275 and an Officer will pick up the dog or cat during the hours of 8:30am and 8:00pm, and we will deliver it to our shared Shelter.

Please call our shared Shelter at (905) 655-0283 if you are missing your cat and dog and believe that it may have been picked up by Ajax Animal Services.

Each home owner in the Town is responsible to deal with "pests" on their own. Please check you local yellow pages to find a professional who deals with the removing and re-locating of wildlife.

Please contact the Ontario Provincial Police 24 hour report line at 1-888-310-1122 or the Whitby Detachment at 905-668-3388

Please contact the Humane Society of Durham Region at 905-433-2022 if you suspect Animal Cruelty.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency - (905)-985-1870
Tests dead bats for rabies - people should double bag carcass and freeze.

Parrot Adoption of southern Ontario - (905)-728-8857
Provide rescue, sanctuary, adoption of parrots.

Second Chance Wildlife Sanctuary - (905)-649-8282
(24 hour a day rescue and rehabilitation of all animals)

Ministry of Natural Resources - 1-866-514-2327 (BEAR)
To report bear problems.

Toronto Wildlife Centre Hotline - (416) 631-0662
(registered charity that runs hotline for wildlife related inquiries)