File photo outside of the City of Lethbridge Animal Shelter. (Lethbridge News Now)

By Mario Cabradilla

City of Lethbridge asks residents to register their pets

Jun 3, 2022 | 10:48 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge’s Community Animal Services is asking the city’s residents to make sure pets are registered, in order to provide proof of ownership and updated contact information.

Registration with the City of Lethbridge allows a pet to be returned to its appropriate owner when it comes into the care of the Lethbridge Animal Shelter, according to Skylar Plourde, Director of Services at the City’s Community Animal Services.

“When pets are registered it allows us to locate an owner quickly and prove (the) individual is the owner of that pet which makes returning that pet significantly quicker,” Plourde stated in a news release issued Friday, June 3, 2022.

“The quicker the return of the pet happens, that reduces the impact on the shelter operations and available space,” he said.

Lethbridge’s Regulatory Services also reminds residents that they are required to register their dog if it is over six months old. An incident involving a dog who is not registered could result in a $150 fine for the owner.

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: September 20, 2024

Sep 20, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: August 30, 2024

Aug 30, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: August 23, 2024

Aug 23, 2024

Registration of a dog costs between $20-50 per year. Registration for a cat is a one-time fee of $10.

The Lethbridge Animal Shelter has been seeing a rising intake of unregistered lost pets. When spaces are full of pets waiting for their owners to locate them, they will not be able to accept surrendered or adoptable animals.

READ MORE: City encouraging adoption as animal shelters full

For more information, visit the Community Animal Services website.