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Animal Control
Animal Control
The Town of Drayton Valley’s Animal Control Bylaw provides for the licensing, care and control of domestic animals in Drayton Valley.
Currently, Drayton Valley’s Animal Control Bylaw only regulates dogs and cats. We do not regulate other animals.
Enforcement Services does not deal with feral cats.
Lost and Found Animals
Dogs and cats that have been picked up by Drayton Valley Enforcement Services will be housed at the Animal Control building located at 5517-53 Avenue, Drayton Valley.
When possible, attempts will be made to contact the owner of the captured dog or cat to reunite them with their owners. We will check for a town licence tag, a microchip, or a tattoo. However, if we are not able to locate the animals through these means, we will attempt to post photos of the dog or cat on our Facebook Page to try to reunite the animal with its owner.
Prior to being able to claim an animal in the custody of Enforcement Services, the owner must be able to prove ownership of the animal.
Fees and fines may be imposed at the discretion of the Bylaw Officer or Peace Officer.
Did you Know? In 2021, Drayton Valley Enforcement Services impounded 73 dogs and 167 cats that were found to be at large in the community. Of the 240 impounded animals, only 98 were able to be reunited with their owners. Please ensure that your pets have proper identification to ensure they can be reunited with you, the owner, should they become at large.
What should you do if you find a lost animal?
- Not every animal you find is lost, especially cats. Generally, if you have found a healthy cat , it is almost always best to leave it where it was found – cats are 10 times more likely to return home if they were left where they are found.*
- If safe to do so, attempt to take a photograph of the animal. If successful, you may wish to post it on social media pages to attempt to locate the owner(s) that way.
- Consider your surroundings – see if there is an owner out looking for the animal.
- If owners are not known, or cannot be located, contact Enforcement Services to arrange for pickup of the animal so we can attempt to reunite them with their owner(s).
*Alley Cat Allies. Chu, K. and W. M. Anderson (2007)
What Should You Do If You Find Wild Animals?
Drayton Valley Enforcement Services only deals with found cats and dogs. If you find a wild animal that appears to be injured, you may wish to contact the following organizations for further information or direction:
- WILDNorth (Northern Alberta Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation) by phone at 780-914-4118.
- Medicine River Wildlife Centre by phone at 403-728-3467
- Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation by phone at 403-331-9520
- Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation by phone at 403-946-2361
- Drayton Valley Fish and Wildlife Enforcement by phone at 780-542-6616.
Some animals do not need to be moved – please ensure you do your research when deciding to help a wild animal.
Animal Licensing
Register your dog or cat at the Civic Centre, located at 5120 – 52 Street, Drayton Valley, AB. You will be required to complete the animal registration form and pay the prescribed fees. All cats and dogs over the age of 6 months, are required to be licensed. Yearly fees are as follows:
Animal Type |
Fixed |
Unfixed |
Dog |
$25 |
$75 |
Cat |
$15 |
$45 |
Animal licenses are required to be completed by January 15th, each year. The license is only valid for the remainder of that calendar year.
Please note, under the Animal Control Bylaw, a person is only permitted to keep a maximum of two (2) dogs and three (3) cats on residential property. Exceptions of this are:
- When an animal has had a litter up to 90 days old
- Kennels and animal day care operations (that meet all the requirements)
- Special circumstances, if approved by a Peace Officer, in writing.
Cat Trapping
Cats are not permitted to be at large. Enforcement Services offers cat traps, free of charge. If you would like to request a trap, please contact Enforcement Services.
It will be the responsibility of the individual that captures a cat in a town trap to care for the cat until Enforcement Services is able to pick it up. This includes ensuring it has adequate food, water, shelter, and protection from the elements.
Please note that we may refuse to provide a trap if we currently do not have any, or if our animal control facility is at capacity.
The Town will only be responsible for Town traps. Peace Officers or Bylaw Officers will not assume custody of any animals trapped in any trap other than a trap owned by the Town.
Making Your Property Less Inviting to Cats
It is recommended that if you have an unwanted cat on your property, if you know who the owners are, politely ask the owner to keep their cat on their own property.
If you are unsure who the owners are, are uncomfortable speaking with your neighbour, or if speaking with them did not solve the problem, you may wish to take steps to make your property less inviting to the cat.
Making your property unpleasant for animals can include doing things such as:
- Spread repellents around your property, such as vinegar or orange peels
- Spray the cat with water whenever it enters your property
- Place chicken wire, or similar, just below the surface of your flower beds to discourage digging and cover the flower bed with bark chips, gravel, or other material so it is rough
- Place mesh netting, angled outwards, or PVC pipe at the top of your fence to prevent cats from climbing on and over your fence
Contact Enforcement Services
To contact Drayton Valley Enforcement Services, please call 780-514-2386, or email enforcement@draytonvalley.ca. To learn more about Enforcement Services, please visit our Enforcement Services page.
Please note that we only provide animal control for the Town of Drayton Valley – should you have an animal concern in Brazeau County, please contact Brazeau County Animal Control at 780-514-0372.