Pets, Livestock and Wildlife

With geese and migratory birds starting to return to the community, the Township of Uxbridge is aware of cases of birds that have died or are presumed to be infected with avian influenza (H5N1), also known as bird flu.  Township of Uxbridge staff have responded to reports of geese in distress at Elgin Pond. Although avian flu has not been confirmed, the Municipality is taking precautions consistent with avian flu when managing the situation because avian flu has been detected in neighbouring municipalities. 

The Government of Canada recommends a few steps residents can take to reduce the spread of Avian Flu in migratory birds: 

• Keep a distance from wild birds and other wild animals, and don't touch, feed or handle them, especially if they look sick or are dead. 
• The public is asked to report any animals, specifically geese or birds, found in distress, ill or dead to Uxbridge-Scugog Animal Control. You can reach them at animalcontrol@uxbridge.ca or 905-985-9547. If you are calling after hours please follow instructions on the answering machine to contact an officer. The Township will report the cases to the  Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative. 
• Consider removing backyard bird feeders and/or bird baths, and if this is not possible, move them far away from pets and clean them with 10% bleach at least once every two weeks. If sick birds are observed near feeders then the feeders should be removed. 
• Avoid contact with surfaces that appear to be contaminated with droppings from birds 
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching any bird feeders, bird baths or any potentially contaminated areas. 
• Keep cats indoors and dogs on a leash to limit the potential of your pet encountering an infected bird. 
• Stay off all bodies of water as ice and water conditions are not safe; do not attempt to rescue birds in distress. 

Avian Flu poses significant concerns for poultry farmers and those who have backyard flocks. Information about poultry biosecurity and protecting domestic flocks can be found at www.inspection.canada.ca. 

The Township Animal Control team will continue to monitor the situation, in conjunction with counterparts across the region, alongside the Ontario Regional Centre of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative. 

If you have found a sick or injured wild animal in need of help, call The Toronto Wildlife Hotline at (416) 631-0662 and follow the appropriate prompts to leave a message. They aim to return emergency calls within the hour between 9 am and 6 pm. Messages left after 6 pm will be returned the following morning. Alternatively call: Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge in Pefferlaw 705-437-4654, or Procyon Wildlife Rehab Services in Beeton at 905-729-0033 

It is a common misconception that raccoons that are seen outside during the day are sick or have rabies. Although they are primarily nocturnal, even healthy raccoons will sometimes come out during the day to forage if they feel it is safe to do so or if they are unable to return to their den. Baby raccoons are also commonly seen outside during the day. 

If the wild animal is very active and mobile, keep children and pets indoors until it moves on. Remove attractants from your property ie. outdoor cat and bird food, or garbage.

Emergency Calls

Between the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. and all day on Sundays and Holidays, Animal Services staff will only respond to Emergency Calls dispatched by the After Hours Answering Service.  

"Emergency calls" means any of the following: 

• an injured animal (domestic or wild) that requires immediate medical treatment; 
• an animal carcass on a Township roadway that poses an imminent hazard to motorists (this should be directed to the Roads Dept after hours number at (1-877-426-4459); 
• an animal carcass on a Regional roadway that poses an imminent hazard to motorists (this should be directed to the Region of Durham after-hours number at (905-576-9991); 
• an aggressive dog that is at large that has bitten or attacked a person or another animal and is currently still at large ; 
• a request from Durham Regional Police or a local Fire Department for an Animal Services Officer to attend a location that is deemed to be an emergency; or 
• any other situation that the attendant deems to threaten public safety. 

The Manager of By-law Services will contact an Animal Services Officer directly on the Officer's cell phone to dispatch him or her.  

Non-emergencies

Callers should be directed to leave a message at 905-985-9547 that will be picked up by an Animal Services Officer between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday (excluding holidays), and 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Animal Services does have staff on duty to address non-emergencies.  Any messages left after 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, after 2 p.m. Saturday and on all Sundays or Holidays, will be retrieved the following day.  

Non-emergency calls mean any of the following: 

• a dog or cat at large; 
• a barking dog; 
• carcass on the roadway that is not creating an imminent hazard to motorists; 
• a stray dog that the complainant has taken control of (Animal Services will make arrangements to pick up the dog the following day); 
• dog excrement not being removed by the owner.

Animal carcass on private property 

• Please refer to Yellow Pages for Pest Removal or call private Wildlife Control Company 

 Wildlife on private property such as raccoon, skunk, snake, etc. 

• Please refer to Yellow Pages for Pest Removal or call private Wildlife Control Company 

 Animal cruelty, neglect or mistreatment. 

• Call 310 -SPCA(7722) anywhere in Ontario. 

 For a person at risk of potential rabies exposure. For human contact with a suspected rabid animal please call your local Health Department. 

• Durham Region 905-723-3818 or 1-888-777-9613 

 Domestic Animal with potential rabies exposure (domestic pet or livestock) 

• Call the OMAFRA Agricultural Info Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300. 

 Wildlife with suspected of rabies, with no known contact with human or domestic animals. 

• Call the MNR Rabies Hotline at 1-888-574-6656

Animal Services have staff on duty from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (June to December open until 2 p.m.). 

No, Scugog's Animal Control By-law doesn't require you to license your cat.

Yes, dogs are required to have an up-to-date dog license tag on their collar at all times. Dogs must be licensed every year.

Scugog's animal shelter doesn't board pets. Our facilities are used to care for stray or abandoned animals. 

We don't limit how long animals stay at the shelter. We hold stray animals for five business days to allow their owners time to reclaim them. After five days, animals are put up for adoption. We take care of them until they get a new home.

According to Scugog's Animal Control By-Law, property owners can have up to two dogs. If your property is more than 10 acres, you can have up to three dogs.

Yes, the Animal Control By-law requires you to have your dog on a leash when you are not on your own property, unless you are using the designated Off Leash Dog Park at 1655 Reach Street, beside Carolyn Best Ball Diamonds.

Animal Services is responsible for animal licensing in Uxbridge and Scugog. They also respond to reports of stray animals, maintain the animal shelter and manage adoptions and records for the animals at the shelter.  

If you have been bitten by an animal, get medical help as soon as possible. Report animal bites to the Durham Region Health Department at 905-985-4889 and to our Animal Control Centre at 905-985-9547. 

If you feel that you are in immediate danger, call 911. 

Call 310-SPCA (7722) to report animal cruelty, such as neglect or abuse. You can report animal cruelty to the Humane Society of Durham Region at 905-665-7430 or the Durham Regional Police at 905-579-1520. 

Whoever has control of the dog (usually the owner or dog walker) is responsible for picking up after the dog. 

Domestic animals are picked up by the Animal Services. Larger wildlife animals, such as deer, will be removed by a Public Works crew.