Overview

Ontario has the strongest penalties in Canada against animal abuse and neglect. By law, all owners and custodians must meet basic standards of care for all animals covered under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act. This helps keep animals in our province treated humanely and receive adequate and appropriate care.

General requirements

All owners and custodians must provide adequate and appropriate food, water, medical attention and care. For example:

  • providing clean and drinkable water
  • monitoring the animal’s health and welfare, including:
    • body condition, such as weight, skin, coat and nail condition
    • general behaviour
    • normal eating, drinking, urinating and defecating habits
  • seeking prompt medical care from a licensed veterinarian if you suspect an animal is:
    • injured, sick or suffering from a communicable disease
    • showing other signs of distress such as being in pain or suffering

Adequate and appropriate ventilation, light and protection from the elements, including harmful temperatures, must be provided. For example:

  • providing shade for outdoor animals to prevent overheating and protect them from direct sunlight
  • providing shelter for outdoor animals that will help keep animals warm or cool and dry according to the weather

Sanitary conditions and enough space for natural movement and exercise must be available. For example:

  • removing feces and other waste regularly so animals can move freely in a clean area to help take away hazards that could injure or make an animal sick
  • making sure pens or enclosures provide enough space for all animals in them to move and behave naturally. Animals in a pen or enclosure, the animals should be 
    able to:
    • stand up, lie down and turn around
    • stretch out limbs or spread wings
    • groom and walk

Transporting animals must be done in a way that ensures their physical safety and general welfare. For example:

  • making sure the animal is secure so it cannot escape the vehicle or be exposed to harm
  • fastening and securing crates and harnesses

Specific requirements

Pens or enclosed structures

A pen or other enclosed structure or area where an animal is kept must be in good repair. All its parts must be made of and contain only materials that:

  • are safe and non-toxic
  • will not bruise, cut or otherwise injure the animal

The pen, enclosed structure or area must not contain any other animals that may pose a danger to the animal that is kept there. Animals that have shown aggressive behaviour towards each other should not be housed together.

Humane euthanasia

When euthanizing an animal is necessary, it must be done humanely, in a way that minimizes pain and distress, as well as ensures a quick peaceful death.

Exceptions

Agricultural animal care, management or husbandry

The requirement to comply with the standards of care does not apply:

  • if reasonable and generally accepted practices for agricultural animal care, management or husbandry are followed
  • unless the standards of care say they apply to a specific activity

Veterinary care

The requirement to comply with the standards of care does not apply to:

  • a veterinarian, as authorized by the Veterinarians Act
  • a person acting under the supervision of a veterinarian
  • a person acting under the orders of a veterinarian

Animals in unique circumstances

Ontario also has additional standards of care for:

  • dogs kept outdoors
  • marine mammals (including administrative requirements)
  • wildlife in captivity
  • primates in captivity

Learn more about the standards of care.