How Many Dogs or Cats Can You Have in Alberta?

An Australian shepherd puppy and a Ragdoll cat

Alberta does not have a province-wide law dictating the number of dogs or cats households can have. However, the city or town in which you live may have its own pet ownership regulations. So, the number of household pets you can legally have in the Province of Alberta depends on your municipality's bylaws. You can check your city's animal bylaws online or contact your local animal services to determine the number of pets you can legally have. In the City of Spruce Grove, for example, there is a limit of five dogs and cats in total per household. The Town of Morinville allows a maximum of three cats and three dogs per household. Take the animal bylaws in the following Alberta cities for example.

Calgary, AB

In the City of Calgary, you can have up to 6 cats and 6 dogs. To exceed these limits, you need to obtain an Excess Animal Permit. Every dog, by three months of age, is required by law to have a City of Calgary license. As a dog owner in Calgary, you're required to keep your canine on a leash at all times unless indicated otherwise by posted signs or on your property. In a designated off-leash area, your dog should remain in your sight and respond to sight or sound commands. All Calgary dog owners are required to carry a suitable means to pick up after their dog, both on and off their property. Furthermore, dogs are not permitted in Calgary cemeteries, school grounds, playgrounds, wading/swimming areas, sports fields, or golf courses.

Edmonton, AB

You may have no more than 3 dogs and no more than 6 cats in Edmonton, Alberta. This restriction, however, does not apply to cats and dogs under the age of six months. It also does not apply to premises with a municipal address in the City on land zoned AG, AGU, or AGI. When off their owner's property, dogs are required to be under control and held on a leash not exceeding two meters in length. In addition, every dog in Edmonton, when off its owner's property, is required to display the license tag issued by the City. Furthermore,  Edmonton dog owners are required to ensure their dogs do not bark in a manner that is reasonably likely to annoy or disturb the peace of others.

Red Deer, AB

In Red Deer, Alberta, you are guilty of an offense if you have more than three dogs in your house. Also, you are guilty of an offense if you allow your dog to so bark as to disturb the peace of others. You're required by law, as a dog owner in Red Deer, to pick up after your dog on any public or private property not owned by you. Currently, cat owners in Red Deer are allowed to have as many cats as they adequately care for. However, according to Red Deer Advocate, a proposed Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw seeks to limit each household in Red Deer to six cats.

Airdrie, AB

The City of Airdrie's Animal Control Bylaw limits dog owners to three dogs per household. All dog owners in the City are required to pick up all feces produced by their dogs both on and off their property. The bylaw also requires dog owners to purchase a dog license once their dog is three months old. When off their owner's premises, dogs must wear a license tag and be on a leash. 

Cat owners in the City are also limited to three cats per household. Like dogs, all cats in Airdrie are required to be licensed. If you are moving into Airdrie with more than 3 cats from another city, you can keep them if all the cats were licensed in the community in which they previously lived. However, if one of the cats passes away, you cannot replace it if you still have up to 3 cats remaining.

Medicine Hat, AB

If you reside in Medicine Hat, Alberta, you're limited to six cats and three dogs, according to the City's Bylaw. In addition to the 6-cat and 3-dog limits, you may foster one dog or one cat. For example, you can have 4 dogs, if one of the dogs is a foster animal. Both cat and dog owners in Medicine Hat are required by law to license their pets and have their pets wear the license tag on a collar or harness.

The running at large of dogs and cats within the City is prohibited. You may exercise your dog in an off-leash area while not restrained by a leash if the dog is under your control and if the dog is not a Vicious Dog. According to the bylaw, a Vicious Dog is a dog that has chased, injured, or bitten a person or other animal without provocation.

Lethbridge, AB

Only two dogs are allowed per household in Lethbridge, Alberta. If you wish to exceed this limit, you need to apply for a Dog Fancier’s License. With this License, you can have up to four dogs. You can apply for the License online. For more information, contact the City's animal services at 403-320-4099 or info@communityanimalservices.ca. As per Lethbridge's Dog Control Bylaw, every dog six months of age or older in the City must be registered by its owner. You will be subject to a fine if you do not register your dogs. Currently, Lethbridge has no cat bylaw in place that limits the number of cats that can be in one home just as it does for dogs.

Grande Prairie, AB

In Grande Prairie, Alberta, you are allowed to have a maximum of four pets per household, according to the City's current Animals and Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw C-1226.  For instance, you can have 4 cats or 4 dogs or any combination of both animals not exceeding 4 in total. To exceed this limit, you need to apply for an Animal Limit Exemption permit.

Okotoks, AB

In the Town of Okotoks, Alberta, each residence is limited to 3 pets over the age of three months. To exceed this limit, you need to apply for an Animal Fancier and Adoption License, which allows you to have a maximum of 10 pets, including dogs and cats. Every dog over the age of 3 months residing in Okotoks is required to be licensed. Although cats are not required to be licensed in Okotoks, cat owners are required to prevent their pets from trespassing on other people's property or roaming around the neighborhood.

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