The City of Iqaluit shared this photo of a dog wearing a gold-coloured registration tag on Facebook in 2023 during an initiative encouraging residents to register their pets. The city says 264 tags have been given out this year, of which 173 were issued in the last two months. (Photo courtesy of the City of Iqaluit/Facebook)
Demand for dog tags soars in Iqaluit after passage of controversial pet bylaw
City forced to order more tags after spike in demand from pet owners
The City of Iqaluit is seeing a surge in the number of people registering their pets — so much so that it has had to order more tags for municipal enforcement staff to give out.
The increased demand follows the passing of a controversial animal control bylaw amendment last week that shortens the time municipal enforcement officers must hold a loose animal to 24 hours before it can be euthanized. Previously, it was seven days.
“Over the past several weeks, we have seen a notable increase in the number of dog tag registrations: more than were issued over the previous two years combined,” a news release issued by the city Wednesday said.
“This response shows that many residents are taking steps to register their pets, helping support clearer identification and faster reunification of lost dogs.”
So far this year, 264 tags have been given to pet owners including 173 handed out in the past two months.
For all of last year, 151 tags were given out.
Now, the city’s supply of animal tags is “nearly depleted” with just 24 remaining, the release said.
More have been ordered, and as the city awaits a new supply the hold time for animals caught will be paused over weekends to give owners more time to claim them. As well, the city will post notices of dogs that are found on its website and social media pages.
The city is also encouraging residents to give their pets custom tags or ways in which the owner can be contacted. Those can be attached to the animal’s collar.
“Every tag helps keep dogs safe by making it easier to identify them and return them home if they get lost,” the city said in the release.
“This small step makes a big difference for both pets and their families.”
It’s funny one of the vocal councillors who was ranting about the city not having the capacity to catch dogs and the hold them, needed this. 24 hr hold instead of the 72hrs, they sure have been out there catching way more dogs than before.
Just hoping no pet owner will lose their pet within those 24hrs, now can the city tackle with just as much energy the huge public drunkenness that we have to face each day, just going to the store and to get gas can be a show, not a good one at that.
” they sure have been out there catching way more dogs than before.”
It is funny that you want to get on the city or bylaw, but the sentence that I have quoted you on CLEARLY shows the problems is the dog owners.
Heaven forbid you actually want to blame them. If they were better at being dog owners, then the city nor by law would be needed that much. I guess it is easier to blame the city or bylaw that these owners cant keep track of their dogs.
Start the same way with a petition to close the Beer and wines store down add public intoxication laws in your dirty city . Have city delegates blow though first and second reading and well bob is your uncle .
Once again the city has a right and duty to protect its tax payer and citizens.
If you don’t like it speak up Mr Reese . Im right behind you blind but I can shoot straight still .
Or how about all that garbage everywhere?
The city says “The city is also encouraging residents to give their pets custom tags or ways in which the owner can be contacted. Those can be attached to the animal’s collar”. Yet, they took my dog for impound knowing my dog has the contact # and who to contact on her vest written.
Now! You must leverage with a fee and take the burden off the tax payer because they are not responsible for your pet. The whole of your problem should not rest on these tax payers.
Now ! You need to leverage a free and take the burden off the tax payer. they should not be paying for your pets.
For the pet enthusiasts realize that the environment you are subjecting the animal to is very harsh and could very well be considered abusive by some animal rights activists not just the reactive one .
Question yourselves when making these decisions if it’s actually right to get a pet .
The city has every right to protect its tax payer and citizens.
awesome