The City is raising awareness about its response to animal cruelty and the care provided to vulnerable animals.
City services | June 8, 2026
Following recent cases of animal abuse and neglect, the City of Mississauga is reinforcing its zero-tolerance approach to animal cruelty. This helps protect animals and keeps the community safe. Mississauga Animal Services is also raising awareness about responsible pet ownership and what happens when animals are rescued and cared for by the City.
Animal cruelty includes neglect, causing unnecessary suffering and failing to provide proper food, water, shelter or medical care. These actions violate the City’s Animal Care and Control By-law and the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act. The City works closely with enforcement partners to investigate concerns.
Residents can play an important role in preventing animal cruelty. Taking proper care of pets, choosing safe ways to rehome them and reporting concerns early all help protect animals and support community safety.
When Mississauga Animal Services receives calls about animal abandonment or neglect, officers respond quickly to help. Animals receive on-site assessments and get care from a vet if needed. In serious cases, treatment may include surgery, ongoing care and specialized support.
Once the animal is stable, they are placed in foster homes or cared for by trained staff. This helps them rest, rebuild trust and adjust to a safe environment before they are adopted into permanent homes.
Animal Services works closely with Peel Regional Police, Provincial Animal Welfare Services (AWS) and local vets to make sure animals are protected and properly cared for.
Individuals found guilty of animal cruelty or neglect can face serious penalties. These include fines ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars, community service, and being banned from owning pets for a set period of time or for life.
In more serious cases, offenders can face imprisonment. Repeat or severe offences lead to higher fines and longer jail time. Offenders may also be added to registries and monitored to help prevent further harm to animals.
Please contact Animal Services at 905-896-5858 ext.3 if you have concerns related to standards of care, such as lack of food or water, unsanitary living conditions or animals requiring veterinary attention.
For concerns involving neglect, cruelty or dog fighting, you may contact the Province of Ontario’s Animal Welfare Services (AWS) at 1-833-9-ANIMAL (1-833-926-4625).
Recent animal cruelty cases in Mississauga have involved people using false names to get animals through online marketplace platforms. This highlights the need for responsible and safe rehoming.
If you need to rehome a pet:
If you cannot rehome your pet, you may consider surrendering it to the Mississauga Animal Services shelter. Surrendering must follow City by-law requirements, including paying applicable fees and sharing accurate information about the pet’s health and behaviour. In some cases, such as economic hardship, fees may be waived. After surrender, the City takes responsibility for the animal.
Pet owners remain responsible for their pet until it is safely rehomed or surrendered.
For more information, call the shelter at 905-896-5858 ext. 3 or read more about rehoming pets.
Animal cruelty also includes harm to wildlife. Trapping, poisoning or relocating wild animals can be harmful, ineffective and, in many cases, illegal.
Mississauga Animal Services warns against harming wildlife found on private or public property. Many traps, like glue and body-gripping traps, can cause serious injury or death. These are illegal under Ontario’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and banned by the City of Mississauga’s Parks By-law. Even if traps are sold in stores, they are only legal under strict provincial rules enforced by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Read more about different types of traps.
The use of rodent poison outdoors is also restricted. It should only be handled by licensed professionals. These products can cause serious harm to pets, wildlife and public safety.
As animal activity increases during summer months, the City asks residents to be safe and to follow the law when dealing with wildlife. The best way to prevent problems is to remove things that attract wild animals like food, water and shelter. Keep garbage closed and do not leave food outside.
Residents are also reminded that feeding wildlife, including coyotes, squirrels, pigeons and foxes, is illegal and can result in a fine between $365 and $100,000.
City of Mississauga Media Relations
media@mississauga.ca
905-615-3200, ext. 5232
TTY: 905-896-5151
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