City mulls urban livestock in review of pet rules
Whether it’s dogs, cats, chicken, sheep or bees, Calgary is home to a menagerie of pets regulated by a 12-year-old bylaw that the city has outgrown, according to a city official.
So for the first time in more than a decade, the City of Calgary is looking for public input while reviewing the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw, which regulates the ownership, licensing and safety of people’s animal companions. One of the specific topics of interest for the city is a modern interest in urban agriculture, including certain livestock and bee-keeping.
“Right now, livestock isn’t allowed in the city except in a couple of circumstances, but then bee-keeping we have no regulations around,” said Jennifer Lawlor, a business strategist with the city. “Urban agriculture could be bee-keeping, urban hens or pigeons are some of the animals that we explore in the public engagement.”
The public engagement phase of the review is meant to assess what the city’s pet owners and neighbours think of urban agriculture, wildlife, licensing, vicious dogs and feral, stray and roaming cats. The input will be used to amend the bylaw to better fit Calgary ’s needs.
“With wildlife, for example, we are wondering what are ways that we can encourage peaceful coexistence between Calgarians and wildlife?” said Lawlor. “This bylaw is applicable to both pet owners and non-pet owners . ... There are parts of the bylaw that apply to every Calgarian.”
Livestock was introduced to the city as part of an approval of emotional-support animals in October 2018. People with permit for a Livestock Emotional Support Animal can house specific livestock within Calgary. There are currently five households with livestock as emotional support animals, including chickens, sheep, ducks and a pig.
Feedback can be provided until March 18 through an online survey or at multiple workshops in every ward across the city. Information about the survey and workshops can be found at www.calgary.ca/petbylaw.
Once amendments have been made, city officials will seek additional feedback on the updated bylaw before presenting it to council in early 2021.