Man's Best Friend: Reminders for Dog Owners in TO

Since the onset of the pandemic, pet ownership has steadily increased. The Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI)'s 2022 Pet Population Survey estimates that nearly 60% of all Canadian households now own at least one pet – with Canada's dog population in 2022 at approximately 7.9 million.

The City is reminding residents to continue practicing responsible dog ownership when enjoying the outdoors and using City parks, including:

  • Keep dogs leashed in public: all dogs should be kept on proper leashes unless in designated dogs off-leash areas.

  • Stoop and scoop: the City has Green Bins placed in all dog off-leash areas in parks, as well as dog waste receptacles in certain locations across the City.

  • Respect the natural environment: dogs should be allowed off-leash only in dogs off-leash areas to avoid trampling plants or chasing wildlife.

You can find more information about best practices for dogs in the city, here. 

Jaye Robinson