Animal Shelter | City of Pickering

More Space. More Care. More Second Chances.

Pickering Animal Services is responsible for the care and housing of stray and homeless pets in our community.

The City’s current animal shelter is a small, leased facility that was originally intended as a temporary solution and no longer meets modern animal welfare standards or operational needs. Limited space, aging infrastructure, and a lack of dedicated areas for animal care, staff work, and public services restrict the shelter’s ability to safely accommodate animals and support growing community demand.

In 2024, a Facility Needs Assessment was conducted that outlines the need for a modern, purpose-built facility, the proposed site and design standards, and the recommendation to award consulting services for the project's design and construction administration.

About the New Shelter

The permanent shelter will be located on the lands immediately to the west of the Pickering Fire Station 1 & Headquarters, located at the northwest corner of Zents Drive and Brock Road.

The new Animal Shelter and MLES office site is approximately 3.2 acres and located centrally for improved public access and service response. Secure parking will be provided for fleet vehicles used by both Animal Services and MLES staff, and the visiting public. Forested wetlands located to the west will serve as a natural buffer between the new building and existing neighbourhoods, while also ensuring a suitably pastoral background setting. Preliminary concepts have already been reviewed with the Toronto Region and Conservation Authority (TRCA) to ensure the viability of the site.

The proposed facility is intended to meet the latest Net Zero Carbon - Design Standard (ZCB – Design) criteria in accordance with the requirements set by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC). Net Zero Carbon Design is an objective of the City’s Corporate Energy Management Plan (CEMP) and is frequently required to qualify for senior government grant funding opportunities. Designing new facilities to this standard is essential for achieving environmental stewardship objectives, such as managing overall greenhouse gas emissions, especially as the city continues to grow.

Donate

Tax receipts will be issued for donations over $20.

Donations may be made online or can be mailed or dropped off to

Pickering Animal Services
Clerk's Office, City of Pickering
One The Esplanade
Pickering, ON, L1V 6K7

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History of Animal Sheltering in Pickering

Below is a brief outline of how Animal Sheltering in Pickering has evolved over time!

1985 to 2006: The City of Pickering was part of service partnership agreement between the Municipality of Pickering, Ajax and Whitby to create P.A.W. Animal Services. The Town of Whitby was responsible for animal enforcement and animal shelter services.

January 1, 2006: The City of Pickering decided to take full responsibility of Animal Services. One Supervisor and two part time staff were hired and began handling all functions of the service. At that time, a temporary agreement was made with the Municipality of Clarington for all animals to be housed at their Municipal animal shelter, approximately 30 minutes away. After a year, it was decided that due to distance, it was time to make alternate arrangements.

July 2007 – October 2009: The City entered into a public-private agreement with a boarding kennel located in Toronto. The agreement stated that the Kennel would provide feed, care and housing for all Pickering Animals, while City staff would be responsible to staff the facility each evening, for residents to reclaim or adopt.

2011: The property was sold and purchased by a new owner, and it was determined that it would be more cost effective and provide better customer service to residents if the City took full ownership of running its own animal shelter. An agreement was made to rent and retrofit a building in North Pickering to be the first ever Pickering run Animal Shelter.

2019: The City entered into an agreement with the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville. All stray cats and dogs found within their municipality are temporarily housed at the Pickering Animal Shelter and ones that are not claimed are assessed and placed into the City’s adoption program.

During the 2019 Capital Budget process, Council allocated money for the site selection for a new Pickering Animal Shelter.

As a result of COVID19, the planning stages for this project were delayed however City staff continued investigating potential sites for the new animal shelter.

2022: Funds approved in the 2022 Capital Budget to proceed with hiring an architect and move ahead with the design and construction of a new animal shelter.

2023/2024: Investigating site selection and working with consultants to determine shelter size and key design elements.

Requirements for our New Animal Shelter

When designing our new shelter, The City of Pickering will be incorporating the Capacity for Care model. This model helps shelters better meet the needs of animals by creating conditions necessary to provide shelter animals with the 5 Freedoms, thereby improving the welfare of each animal, including its physical and mental state.

The 5 Freedoms include the following:

Freedom from Hunger and Thirst By ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain health and vigor
Freedom from Discomfort By providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area
Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease By prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment
Freedom to express Normal Behaviour By providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind
Freedom from fear and distress By ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering

Freedom from Hunger and Thirst
By ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain health and vigor

Freedom from Discomfort
By providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area

Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease
By prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment

Freedom to express Normal Behaviour
By providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind

Freedom from fear and distress
By ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering

Below are just a few of the criteria that staff are looking for in the new animal shelter facility:

Nursery for nursing moms or orphaned kittens
Separate room for small animals to be housed that allows daily exercise
Cageless housing rooms for cats that allows them to socialize with one another in a warm and friendly environment
Real life room for dogs that simulates a dog living in a home setting – couch, chairs, etc.
An adoption interview room. This room will give potential adopters a meet their potential adoptee and well as have a chance to sit with staff in a safe environment
Education/Community room that will be utilized for public education programs.