Animal Control

Stray Dogs

Please give us a call at the Township office to report your dog missing or a stray dog. If your dog is missing, please call St. Thomas City Animal Services Centre at 519-631-7430. You can report your dog missing and inquire if it is in their shelter.

If you would like to request the pick-up of a stray dog, please give us a call at the office. Please have a description and location of the dog. The dog must be confined for St. Thomas City Animals Services to come and pick it up.

Dangerous Dogs

If you have a complaint about a dangerous dog, please give us a call at the Township office. We will forward the complaint to our By-Law Enforcement Officer for investigation.

Cat Licences

The Township of Southwold does not issue cat licences. If you find a stray cat, please contact the St. Thomas City Animal Services Centre.

Animal Welfare

Animal cruelty and welfare is regulated by the Province of Ontario. For more information about animal welfare, you can visit Animal Welfare in Ontario. Effective January 1, 2020, the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act came into force, creating the first fully provincial government-based animal welfare enforcement system in Canada. Ontario now has the strongest penalties in Canada for people who violate animal welfare laws. To report animal abuse or cruelty, please call the toll-free number, 1-833-926-4625. The call centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also visit their website - www.animalprotection.ca/ontario/ for more information.

Wildlife

If you find an injured, ill or displaced animal, please contact an authorized wildlife rehabilitator in your area. They are trained in dealing with wildlife conflicts and can assist you in offering humane alternatives to trapping and how-to wildlife-proof your property. For information visit Ontario Wildlife Rescue.