Item - 2021.GL27.30

The General Government and Licensing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council request the City Manager, in consultation with the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards and the Chief Planner, and Executive Director, City Planning, to develop a plan to license kennels in Toronto and to report in the Second Quarter 2022 to the General Government and Licensing Committee on that plan and any possible interim steps needed to address problems created by a small portion of kennel operators in Toronto.

Pets are well cherished by and an important part of the lives of many Torontonians.  A November 2015 City staff report, LS8.2 - Responsible Dog Ownership - Results of Consultation, estimated that there were 230,000 dogs, for example, in the city and that number has likely grown considerably since especially during the pandemic.

The humane treatment of animals, including pets, is a key principle of our society. City Council has taken many steps over the years to embrace this principle and enhance the treatment of pets in Toronto – from dog off leash areas to pet microchipping programs and rules on how long a dog can be tethered.

Fostering community harmony around pet ownership has been another policy goal of the City Council.  This has resulted in, amongst other things, rules about keeping dogs on leashes in public, poop and scoop regulations, and dog licensing.  However the City does not currently license dog kennels.

While Most kennel operators in Toronto provide a wonderful and vital service.  However, a few bad apples can pose a problem for pets, pet owners and the kennel's neighbours.

There have been reports are reports of pet owners complaining about the poor treatment of their pets boarded at kennels.  Some kennel operators are not good neighbours and operate in areas where the zoning does not permit them. Current measures designed to address these issues have proven insufficient.

Other Ontario municipalities, like Ottawa, do license and regulate kennels.  As well, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association publishes a Code of Practice for Canadian Kennel Operations which deals with breeding kennels not just boarding kennels. Drawing on these examples, the City should be able to begin to develop measures to address this policy shortfall.