Animal Services
Vaughan Animal Services is dedicated to creating a safe community for pets and their owners. Services include dog and cat licensing, animal control by-law education, pick up of injured or sick dogs, cats and wildlife (as well as stray dogs), reuniting owners with lost pets and pet adoption.
Shelter hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Closed Sundays and statutory holidays
Adoption hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Closed Sundays and statutory holidays
Wildlife education drop-in hours:
Dufferin Clark Community Centre 1441 Clark Ave. W.
- Tuesdays: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Microchip and Rabies Clinic
All spots are full for the microchip and rabies clinic on Sunday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Vaughan Animal Shelter (located at 70 Tigi Crt., Unit 47). Check back soon for more information about the next clinic in June and more throughout the year.
Enforcement, adoption and other animal inquiries
Vaughan Animal Services encourages compliance with the Animal Control By-law. Complaints, adoption and other inquires can be made online, or by phone at 905-832-2281.
Report sick, injured or other wildlife situations
Vaughan Animal Services can be reached at 905-832-2281 or animal.services@vaughan.ca
With geese starting to return to the community, the City of Vaughan is reporting a significant number of birds that have died or are infected with presumed avian influenza (H5N1), also known as bird flu, throughout the community.
The public is asked to report any dead or ill geese to Vaughan Animal Services (VAS) at 905-832-2281 or animal.services@vaughan.ca and staff will respond. Please do not touch the birds.
As is always recommended by the Public Health Agency of Canada, members of the public should not handle sick or dead wild birds or other wildlife, as they may be infected with diseases that can spread to humans. Pets should also be kept away from sick or dead wildlife and be kept on leashes.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, wild birds in Canada and throughout the world are natural carriers of avian influenza viruses. Although some wild birds may get sick and die, others can be infected and still appear healthy. Avian influenza can spread to domestic poultry and can sometimes spread to mammals, such as foxes, skunks and mink, who may eat infected birds. Rarely, avian influenza may also spread to people. While the likelihood of becoming infected with avian influenza virus is low, individuals should still be cautious when handling infected wild birds or other wildlife because avian influenza has the potential to cause severe disease in people.
Vaughan Animal Services continues to discourage the use of birdfeeders and recommends removal of existing ones to limit the transmission of the virus. As well, cats should be kept indoors, and birdbaths should be removed.
If you have any questions about your property, please contact VAS at 905-832-2281 or animal.services@vaughan.ca.
Helpful links
Contact Information
By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services – Animal Services
Phone: 905-832-2281
Toll free: 1-855-227-7297 (PAWS)
Email: animal.services@vaughan.ca
Location:
Department
Vaughan City Hall, Level 100
2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.
Vaughan, ON L6A 1T1
Shelter
70 Tigi Crt., Unit 47
Vaughan, ON L4K 5E4
Additional Resources
- Brampton Animal Services
- Caledon Animal Services
- Georgina Animal Control and Adoption
- Mississauga Animal Services
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
- Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Toronto Animal Services
- Toronto Humane Society
- Provincial government ban of specific dog breeds