• Animal Enforcement and Licensing

  Peace Officers help owners ensure their pets are a positive addition to the community.  This is done through education programs, mediating neighbour disputes, providing advice and enforcement of the Animals and Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw C-1226.

  All cats and dogs must be licensed with the City of Grande Prairie by the age of three (3) months so we can contact you if your pet gets lost. Get a license for your dog or cat

• Animal Care, Adoption, Lost Pets

  The County and City of Grande Prairie created the Grande Prairie Regional Animal Care Facility (GPRACF) to temporarily deliver an animal care plan that guaranteed the continuation of a humane animal shelter, care, and adoptions for the region.

  Services and Hours of Operation on the County of Grande Prairie Website

• Animals in the Community

  • When off their owner’s property, all dogs must be on a leash (not more than 2 metres in length) unless the dog is in a designated Off-Leash Area.
  • When in designated Off-Leash Areas, dog owners shall ensure their dog is under control at all times. This means the dog is within the owner's sight and responds to voice or sound commands.
  • Cats are best kept inside a secure yard on your property. Cat owners are required to make sure their pet does not wander onto other people's property.
• Prohibited Areas for Animals

  • Animals are prohibited on school grounds, playgrounds, athletic fields (e.g., baseball field, soccer pitch), any body of water, and areas identified by signage.
  • Animals cannot be left unattended while tethered or tied in a public place.
• Report Animal Bites

  To report a dog or cat bite, please fill out the Animal Bite Witness Statement Form.

• Urban Beekeeping and Urban Hens

  Urban Beekeeping

  Keeping bees in Grande Prairie is controlled and enforced under the Animal and Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw, C-1226. Review our Urban Beekeeping Guidelines and submit a Livestock Exemption Application to Enforcement Services for review.

  Urban Hens

  Urban hens in Grande Prairie are controlled and enforced under the Animal and Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw, C-1226.  Review our Urban Hens Guidelines and submit a Livestock Exemption Application to Enforcement Services for review.

Animal Nuisances

• Excessive Barking

  Barking is natural for dogs when they are bored, lonely, or want to alert their owners of something but excessive barking can disturb your neighbours. Excessive barking can be addressed through dog training, exercising and family interaction. 

  Barking is considered excessive when it is continuous for ten (10) minutes or more without significant periods of rest or sporadically for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more within one (1) hour.

  How Does the City Deal With Barking Concerns?

  • Enforcement Services investigates barking concerns on a case by case basis
  • Specific dates, times and duration of barking are required to file a concern
  • A Peace Officer will visit the pet owner to inform them of the barking concern and a short time is given to resolve the situation. Officers will provide education and discuss options to help prevent further barking concerns.
  • Pet owners who fail to resolve the issue could receive a fine.
• Unwanted Cats on Private Property

  Cats are best kept inside a secure yard on your property. Cat owners are required to make sure their pet does not wander onto other people's property.

  If you have an unwanted cat on your property, politely ask your neighbour to keep their cat on their own property. If you do not know the owner of the cat or speaking to your neighbour does not resolve the problem, you may consider using a cat trap.

  Cat Traps (Animal traps)

  Enforcement Services does not capture stray or at large cats, but it does lend animal traps to residents. Traps will not be set at any time when the temperature is colder than -10 degrees. Contact Enforcement Services to reserve a cat trap.

Other Animals and Wildlife