The City of Selkirk is a pet friendly community. Our By-Law Enforcement Officers go to great lengths to keep our families safe and united and that includes our four-legged family members.
Missing or lost pet? Please contact CitizenSupport and they will assist you anyway they can! After Hours Contact information for emergencies is on the answering machine.
Animal Allowance
According to the Responsible Pet Owner By-Law 5358;
Unless designated as an approved For-Profit Kennel business by the City, no person shall own, Harbour, keep or have in his possession or control or on premises, more than four (4) Companion Animals over the age of four (4) months, only two (2) of which may be dogs, regardless of the number of people who may be inhabiting the premises.
Citizens of Selkirk can apply for an Excess Animal Permit. The Excess Animal Permit fee is $100 and $50 to renew annually. Please contact CitizenSupport for further details and to apply.
Dog Licensing
All dogs over the age of four months residing in the City of Selkirk must have a license. The City offers these licenses at no cost, and owners must renew them every year. These licenses come with numerous benefits including:
- Access to the Selkirk Dog Park.
- You can rest assured of your dog’s quick and safe return if By-Law Enforcement Officers pick them up.
- Avoid fines and save money by ensuring your animal has a license.
Apply for a dog license at https://www.myselkirk.ca/community-services/domesticanimalsafetyandcontrol/doglicense/?swcfpc=1
Get your FREE license today!
Impounded Animals
By-Law Enforcement is authorized to capture and impound animals which are found running at large.
Animal Retention Centre
The Animal Retention Centre is not open for public access. If you believe we may have your pet, please contact CitizenSupport to inquire and to arrange pick up.
While the City appreciates the offer to volunteer, it is not a practice the city can adopt for a few reasons, including the additional demand on resources for volunteer coordination, supervision, and training.
Anyone wishing to help can do by ensuring their animals are licensed through the city for a quick and safe return home and by getting your pets tattooed or microchipped by your vet. You can also help by reaching out to a local animal shelter and becoming an animal foster or donating to their organization.
Lost and Found Pets
If you have a missing or lost pet, please contact CitizenSupport at 204-785-4900 Monday-Friday between 8:30am and 4:30pm. If the call is after hours there is After Hours Contact information on the answering machine.
You will be required to provide your contact information, and a description of the animal including date they went missing, gender, colouring, size, age, tattoo, and if they are wearing a collar. If By-Law Enforcement picks up your animal and it is tattooed or micro-chipped, you will be contacted. If we have your pet in our Animal Retention Centre you will need to pay the due fees before your pet is released. The Animal Retention Centre is not open to the public so a by-Law Enforcement Officer will meet you there at the time of collection.
If you have found a dog or cat please contact CitizenSupport to arrange collection or drop off. After Hours Contact information is on the answering machine. Please note that By-Law Enforcement only collects animals from within the City of Selkirk.
Pet Relinquishment
It is at the discretion of the By-Law Enforcement Officer if they will accept a relinquished animal (only a cat or dog). Animals from outside of Selkirk will not be taken. The Winnipeg Humane Society also accepts surrendered animals for a fee.
Animal Complaints
City of Selkirk By-Law Enforcement Officers handle animal complaints within the municipality only. By-Law Enforcement may respond to animal complaints such as excessive barking, animals running at large, animals causing a nuisance, animal bites or attacks, unlicensed dogs, failure to clean up pet defecation, and certain wild animals.
To make an animal complaint please contact CitizenSupport. You will be asked to provide the following information (if applicable):
- Your name (Officer discretion to investigate if Anonymous complaint is received)
- Address
- Call back number
- The location of animal(s) (Officers will respond to City of Selkirk complaints only)
- Direction of travel
- Description of animal
- If you know who the animal belongs to
- Any strange behaviour or aggression noticed
- What the animal is doing
Please be advised that specific information related to enforcement measures on a property cannot be shared by the City to anyone other than the owner or tenant of a property.
Off Leash Contraventions
The Responsible Pet Owner By-Law 5358 states that the owner of a dog in the City must ensure that the dog is kept on a leash, except when it is on the owner’s property or on the property of another person who has consented to the presence of the unleashed dog, or in an off-leash area designated by the City.
The only off-leash area within the City of Selkirk is the Dog Park in Selkirk Park. Please note that a valid dog license tag is required to access the Dog Park. For more information on the Dog Park, click here.
Off leash dog complaints can be directed to CitizenSupport.
Animal Abuse & Neglect Reporting
The City of Selkirk is committed to the safety and well being of all animals in Selkirk. However, complaints regarding animal neglect or abuse are outside of the authority of City staff. For complaints of animal abuse or neglect please contact:
- RCMP: 204-482-1222 (non-emergency line)
- Manitoba Animal Protection Officers: 204-945-8000 or 1-888-945-8001 (toll free)
More information regarding animal abuse or neglect can be found on the Government of Manitoba website.
Cold Weather Pet Safety Tips
Extreme cold puts everyone at risk, and it is important to remember that our four-legged friends also feel the chill!
Cold Weather Precautions
Cats, short-coated dogs, and puppies are more vulnerable in cold temperatures. Keep cats indoors and protect your dogs from frostbite or hypothermia by taking them outside for short periods during cold weather. Use a damp towel to wipe your dog’s paws and underside after being outside. Check your dog’s paws frequently for signs of cold-weather injury or damage, such as cracked or bleeding paw pads. You may be able to reduce the chance of iceball accumulation by clipping the hair between your dog’s toes. Consider using “booties” to protect their paws.
Cold Weather Preparation
Cold weather also brings the risks of severe winter weather, blizzards and power outages. Prepare a disaster/emergency kit, and include your pet in your plans. Have enough food, water and medicine (including prescription medications as well as heartworm and flea/tick preventives) on hand for at least 5 days.
Signs of Hypothermia and Frostbite
Wrap your furry friend in a blanket or coat, seek a warm shelter and immediate veterinary support if you see any of the following:
Frostbite (can take several days to develop)
- Often presents on the extremities (ears, legs, paws, tail)
- Pale, cold skin that can be painful to touch
- May develop redness, swelling and blisters of exposed skin
- Skin may turn black
Hypothermia (can range from mild to severe)
- Prolonged shivering
- Weakness
- Muscle stiffness
- Difficulty walking
- Pale gums
- Confusion
- Slow, shallow breathing
- Loss of consciousness
Though it’s important to pay attention to these things, you shouldn’t wait to see the first signs of discomfort to call your walk or playtime quits. While maintaining your dog’s exercise requirements during the winter is important, when conditions are especially cold it’s a good idea to cut your walk short and supplement your animal’s exercise with some indoor activities and enrichment.
Lost Pets
Many pets become lost in winter because snow and ice can hide recognizable scents that might normally help your pet find their way back home. They may also not be as visible to oncoming traffic in snowstorms, so keep your dog leashed, wear high visibility/reflective material, and make sure your pet has a FREE City of Selkirk dog license.
If you have found or lost a pet in Selkirk please contact CitizenSupport.
To review the City of Selkirk Responsible Pet Owner By-Law please visit:
https://www.myselkirk.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/By-Law-5358.pdf