Contact(s)
The Town of Goderich regulates a number of animal services, under the Goderich Animal Control By-Law.
To report an Animal Control issue, please contact our Municipal By-Law Enforcement Department.
Dog Licensing
2023 Dog Tags must be purchased before February 28, 2023 or a late fee will be charged. Please notify Town Hall if you no longer have your dog.
Spayed Female Dog or Neutered Male Dog $20.00
Male Dog or Female Dog $45.00
Replacement Tag $10.00
Late Fee (after February 28, 2023) $20.00
Every dog owner in the Town of Goderich must license their dog annually. Licences expire on the last day of December annually. Licensing fees are laid out in Schedule N of the Goderich Fee By-Law.
Dog licences are vital in helping with the safe and easy return of your pet, should they go missing.
Payments may be made in person during business hours, drop box at our office, by mail, or online (instructions below). Note - we are NOT able to accept e-transfers.
Please complete the Fillable Dog Tag Form and submit it to our office.
Online Payment Instructions:
Choose bill payments. Choose the payee:
The name of the payee varies depending on the financial institution. The following are some examples:
TD Trust - Goderich Town of Taxes
RBC - Goderich (Town) Taxes
CIBC - Goderich Tax
Scotia - Goderich (Town) Taxes
BMO - Goderich, Town of – Taxes
Central Credit - Goderich, Town – property tax (Mainstreet accounts must begin with 4028 then your phone number)
When asked for the account number please use your phone number: The banks vary in the number of digits they require – anywhere from 10-15 so you may be required to add zeros to the end of your phone number.
If paying on-line, please email lorirounds@goderich.ca or call 519-524-8344 to advise that payment has been made.
Nuisance Animals (including Skunks)
The Town had a long standing practice of eradicating skunks. Up until the spring of 2017, the Town had an individual on contract to deal specifically with skunk complaints. The Animal Control Officer advised the Town of new provincial legislation that came into effect and force on July 1, 2013, which governs the removal of skunks. Skunks need to be re-located within 1 km of their capture and the landowner permission is required to release a skunk onto someone else’s property. Furthermore, the previous practice did not encourage homeowners to remedy situations which attract skunks to their premises.
In summary, it is suggested that the removal of skunks, raccoons, etc. is best addressed by contacting a private pest control company or someone who has the expertise and necessary licencing to re-locate or destroy the nuisance animal(s), however are at the cost of the homeowner.
Coyote(s)
Coyotes generally do not pose a danger to people, but can pose a danger for pets. They are active during the day and at night, particularly dusk and dawn, and help to control rodent and rabbit populations. Coyotes thrive in urban areas because of the abundance of food and shelter available. They do not hibernate and may be seen more often during winter months as they are not hidden by foliage. Coyotes will eat whatever food is available such as small mammals and birds, and improperly stored garbage.
Remember these tips:
- Never feed coyotes
- Do not approach coyotes, their dens or their young
- Do not touch coyotes, even if they appear tame, sick or injured
- Keep your dog on a leash
- If you see a coyote, do not run but make some noise to scare it away
- Dispose of garbage and waste before leaving parks
If you see a coyote, and it poses a threat to life, call 911. To report a non-emergency Coyote sighting, please visit https://www.coyotewatchcanada.com/site/report
