There are an estimated 3,289 dogs in Rideau Lakes Township, but only about 8.7 per cent are licensed.
That statistic, based on Municipal Property Assessment Corporation household data and national pet ownership statistics, prompted Rideau Lakes committee of the whole to recommend eliminating the township’s annual dog licensing program beginning next year.
Committee voted June 22 to direct staff to proceed with removing the annual dog tag requirement and instead require dogs to be microchipped or wear a collar displaying owner contact information while off their owner’s property. The recommendation will go before council for final approval.
Deputy Fire Chief and Community Safety Officer Shane Peters said the current licensing system has low participation.
Staff estimate there are about 3,289 dogs in Rideau Lakes. Only 286 dog tags were sold in 2024, representing about 8.7 per cent of the estimated dog population.
Coun. Dustin Bulloch questioned whether the township spends more administering the program than it collects in licence fees.
“Would it be safe to say that our staffing and contractor costs probably exceed what we’re making on the dog licence?” Bulloch asked.
Peters said he couldn’t put an exact dollar figure on staff time but agreed the overall costs likely outweigh the revenue.
“Yes, I would say that’s a fair statement,” Peters said.
The report shows the township generated $4,110 in gross revenue from dog tags in 2024, with net revenue of about $3,812 after tag costs. Those figures do not include staff time or enforcement costs.
Peters said switching to permanent tags would not solve the larger issue.
“We’re looking at about 8.7 per cent compliance in the municipality,” he said. “By switching to just an annual tag, I don’t believe that we’re going to see an uptake.”
Staff also examined moving the program to DocuPet, an online licensing platform used by other Ontario municipalities, but that option would require a $2,495 startup fee and ongoing monthly operating costs.
Deputy Mayor Jeff Banks said the low participation rate convinced him the township should move away from annual licensing.
“I think we only have eight per cent compliance,” Banks said. “I think Option 3 is the one that we need to go to and just get rid of the tags altogether.”
Coun. Linda Carr disagreed, arguing the existing system still helps reunite lost dogs with their owners.
“What we have in place right now is working,” Carr said. “Maybe only eight per cent, but that eight per cent think a lot of their animals. So I’m saying, leave it the way it is.”
Coun. Debbie Hutchings supported eliminating annual licences but questioned requiring identification collars for working dogs, like her Pyrenees, noting collars can become caught on trees or fencing.
“I would not put a collar on my dog who’s working,” Hutchings said, adding she believes microchips are a better option for many farm dogs.
Committee unanimously recommended eliminating the township’s annual dog licensing program. The recommendation will go before council for ratification. If approved, the bylaw would be amended to eliminate annual dog licences effective Jan. 1, 2027. Dogs would instead be required to be microchipped or wear a collar displaying owner contact information while off their owner’s property. Fees for tags are listed at $15 per dog annually.
Keep connected to your community—Read the latest Rideau Lakes news.
