A license is a pet's ticket home

The City of Sault Ste. Marie and the Sault Ste. Marie Humane Society are reminding residents of the importance of licensing pets. Under the City By-law 98-211, dog owners are required to purchase a license every calendar year. A pet license provides animals with identification containing vital information that can assist the Humane Society with safely reuniting pets to owners.

"There are many benefits of licensing your dog with the City of Sault Ste. Marie Animal Care and Control services," says Cindy Ross, Shelter Manager, Humane Society. "Pet licensing has been proven to result in high return to owner rates and eliminates the possibility of a pet being adopted to a new family because their owner could not be found. We encourage all pet owners to register their animals for this invaluable service."

A registered pet also assists the Humane Society in the event of an emergency or evacuation such as severe weather conditions, human health emergencies, transportation accidents, flooding and wildfires. The City's Animal Care and Emergency Response plan aims to control and support the humane care and treatment of companion animals during an emergency situation.

"Emergencies can happen at any time. If your pet is lost in the event of an emergency or evacuation, a registered pet is easily identifiable and returned to its owners as quickly as possible. The Emergency Management Division cannot emphasize enough the importance of getting your dog registered annually," states Lauren Perry, Emergency Management Coordinator, City of Sault Ste. Marie.

Licensing revenues stay local and allows the shelter to reunite lost cats and dogs with their owners, shelter and feed lost animals, educate owners about responsible pet ownership, manage adoption programs for unclaimed pets, assist emergency first responders and social agencies with animal concerns and provide emergency services for injured animals. In addition, licenses allow dogs admission into the City's Strathclair Dog Park.

Unlicensed dogs may be subject to a Provincial Offences fine. Licenses must be purchased on or before March 31 of each year and are available at the Sault Ste. Marie Humane Society or online at ssmhumanesociety.ca. The cost of the license is $10 for spayed / neutered / microchipped pets, $20 for spayed / neutered pets and $50 for unaltered pets. A current rabies vaccine certificate is required to purchase a license. For more information contact the Humane Society at 705-949-3573.


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