Reports of injured or orphaned wildlife, stray pets and dog bites can now be made to Newmarket's animal services

Newly developed Animal Services dedicated to ensuring Newmarket’s animals --- pets and wildlife --- are well cared for

yorkregion.com
July 4, 2022

Have you found injured or orphaned wildlife? Discovered a stray pet? Been bitten by a dog?

As of July 1, you can call the town of Newmarket’s animal services if you have animal concerns.

Call the customer service centre at 905-895-5193 (press 3 after hours) to report sick, injured or orphaned wildlife, stray pets, dog bites and bylaw enforcement to support animal welfare.

Newmarket Animal Services will continue to work with local partners, including:

• The Georgina Animal Shelter and Adoption Centre, for essential care to stray cats and dogs in the community. Residents can search for lost and found pets on their Facebook page at @GeorginaAnimalShelter.

• Licensed wildlife rehabilitation groups, to transfer wildlife to specialized animal rescues for care and rehabilitation. Organizations include Bear Creek Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary, Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge, Toronto Wildlife Centre, Procyon Wildlife, Mono Wildlife, Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge, Woodland Acres Wildlife Rescue, Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue, The Owl Foundation and Hawk Haven.

The newly developed Animal Services department is dedicated to ensuring Newmarket’s animals --- both pets and wildlife --- are well cared for, the town said in a statement.

In addition to the core services, the team will conduct proactive education initiatives to support responsible pet ownership, it said.

“In its commitment to animal welfare, the town has created the transparent wildlife care initiative,” the town release said.

“Through this initiative, the town will track the journey of wildlife that comes into its care and will share it with residents, upon request. This gives residents the peace of mind that the animals are well cared for and the opportunity to contribute to the animal’s ongoing care and treatment by donating to the specific wildlife rehabilitation facility providing that care.”

An animal services officer will be on duty Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Residents can call the customer service centre at any time.

An after-hours representative will direct the call if someone calls outside the above hours.

Some officers will act in hybrid roles, covering both animal services and parking.