Who should I contact if I lose my pet? You should phone the Portage la Prairie Animal Control Officer (ACO) at 204-239-8326 and let them know what your pet looks like. Pets should be licensed, and if possible tattooed for easy identification. Make sure your pet is wearing its license at all time. Pictures of animals in the pound are posted on the City of Portage la Prairie Animal Control website at www.city-plap.com/animalcontrol after capture. Click the “canine” or “feline” tab to view pictures of impounded animals.
My pet has been impounded. How do I get it back? If your pet is impounded, please apply to the Animal Control Officer to reclaim your pet. When applying, pet owners must provide proof of ownership and pay all outstanding penalties, fines or fees under the City’s Animal Control By-Law that apply to their animal or for breach of this By-Law. City of Portage la Prairie’s Animal Control Officer can be reached at 204-239-8326.
What are the hours of operation for Animal Control? There is animal control coverage from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday to Friday with someone on call after hours and on weekends. Should an emergency occur after hours please call the Animal Control / Bylaw Enforcement line at 204-239-8326. Someone will assess the situation and determine if the Animal Control Officer will be dispatched.
Can I stop by the pound to see if my pet is there? No. The pound is located on a private residence outside of City limits and is not staffed to accept walk-ins. The on-site pound keeper is contracted to provide animal care and does not handle the release or identification of animals. Only the Animal Control Officer is authorized to release or identify animals from the pound. You can contact the Animal Control Officer at 204-239-8326 to make arrangements to pick your pet up or have your pet returned to you. Pictures of animals in the pound are posted on the City of Portage la Prairie Animal Control website at www.city-plap.com/animalcontrol after capture. Click the “canine” or “feline” tab to view pictures of impounded animals.
How long are animals held at the pound? What happens next? Animals are held for a three day impoundment period pursuant to the City By-law. Following the impoundment period, animals will be offered to the Portage Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) for adoption. Any healthy animals not adopted by PAWS will be offered to other animal shelters in the region for adoption.
Where can I get a dog/cat license? Dog and cat licenses can be applied for at City Hall, 97 Saskatchewan Avenue E. Record of current vaccination from vet will be required in order to obtain one
Do I have to buy a dog/cat license? Yes. As per the City of Portage la Prairie Animal Control By-Law, any dog older than six months that is being kept within City limits must have a City-issued licence. Licencing fees are outlined in the Fees & Charges schedule (http://www.city-plap.com/cityplap/city-hall/by-laws/).
Who do I talk to about a neighbour who lets their pet do its business on my yard, gets into garbage, runs at large or a dog that barks constantly? First step, speak with your neighbour. Respectfully, let them know how you feel and see if you can resolve the issue between yourselves. If the problem persists, report their name, description of dog, and, if possible, their home address to the Animal Control Officer at 204-233-8326.
How many pets am I allowed to own if I live in the City of Portage la Prairie? The City of Portage la Prairie Animal Control By-Law states: No Person shall own, harbour, keep or have in his possession or control or on his premises, more than three dogs, or three cats, or a combination of both, over the age of six months, regardless of the number of people who may be inhabiting the premises without obtaining an excess animal permit.
What complaints will Animal Care & Control Officers investigate? Animal Care & Control Officers typically investigate complaints of excessive barking, dog bites or attacks, pets without a license, dogs or cats at large, failure to clean up pet defecation
How are pet-related complaints investigated? Animal Care & Control officers investigate complaints by interviewing witnesses, neighbors, complaints and pet owners. When possible, the officer also collects other evidence. Any investigation can result in a simple warning, a fine or mandatory court appearance.
When can an Animal Care & Control Officer seize an animal? Animal Care & Control Officers can seize animals that are found at-large (i.e. stray) within the City of Portage La Prairie limits or that the provincial Court has ordered them to seize them.
Who should I call if an animal is being abused? Contact Animal Care line if you suspect an Animal is…
- lacking adequate food and water
- exposed to extreme cold or heat
- not provided with suitable medical attention if wounded or ill
- confined in an area of insufficient space
- kept in unsanitary conditions
- confined without adequate ventilation
- not allowed an opportunity for sufficient exercise
- suffering, seriously injured or in extreme anxiety or distress
- An unlicensed breeding operation or kennel.
Phone Number: 204-945-8000 / Toll Free: 1-888-945-8001 / Monitored 7 days a week / E-mail: animalcare@gov.mb.ca. All reports are treated with the utmost confidentiality. Names are not released of persons who report animal welfare concerns.
What are the possible fines for violating City of Portage La Prairie Bylaw? Common fines are:
- Excessive barking – $130 first offence $280 second offence $530 third offence (within 12 months of first and second offence)
- Owning an unlicensed pet – $130 first offence $280 second offence $530 third offence (within 12 months of first and second offence)
- Animal at large – $130 first offence $280 second offence $530 third offence (within 12 months of first and second offence)
- Failure to remove defecation – $130 first offence $280 second offence $530 third offence (within 12 months of first and second offence)
- Failure to control or leash dog -$130 first offence $280 second offence $530 third offence (within 12 months of first and second offence)
- Dog attack causing no injury – $130 first offence $280 second offence $530 third offence (within 12 months of first and second offence)
- Dog attack causing injury – $130 first offence $280 second offence $530 third offence (within 12 months of first and second offence)
Can I own a dangerous dog in City of Portage La Prairie? Yes a person can as long as all bylaws are followed.
What should I do if I found or lost a pet? Call City of Portage La Prairie Animal Control Office at 204-239-8326. Also, the City’s Virtual City Hall pet owner search by pet tag is available 24/7, please click here to access the site
How long are animals kept at the City of Portage La Prairie pound? Animals are kept a minimum of 3 business days to locate owners. After that, adoptable pets are transferred to rescue groups and shelters when possible. When an animal has valid pet license and is wearing tags, we can immediately contact owners. A tattoo or microchip with up-to-date information on file also helps us contact the owner. Every animal that enters our facility also has its picture taken and posted on City of Prairie Website at www.city-plap.com/animalcontrol
Skunk Control – I have a skunk in my yard, who do I call? Call Skunk Control at 204-239-8340
There are mice/rats in the yard, possibly coming from neighbouring yard, who do I contact? This is a Public Health issue – contact Manitoba Conservation – Health inspector 25 Tupper St N, or call 204-239-3187