The new Animal Care and Control Bylaw has 2 new additions to support Edmontonians who foster rescues and those who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances.
The new Animal Care and Control Bylaw came into effect on May 19, 2026. The new bylaw was updated in order to advance responsible pet ownership, protect animal welfare, improve access to services and enhance public safety. The 2 new additions that were added to assist local not-for-profit animal rescue organizations and Edmontonians are:
- Temporary Excess Animal Permits
- Foster Licences with Waived Fees
The Temporary Excess Animal Permit allows fosters to temporarily exceed the maximum number of dogs(3), cats(6) or rabbits(4) at a residential property. These permits may be issued to:
- Person fostering an animal on behalf of a not-for-profit animal rescue organization (must hold a business licence under the Business Licence bylaw) that rescues and adopts animals
- Any person who in the opinion of the City Manager reasonably requires approval to temporarily care for animals
Note: not-for-profit animal rescue organizations are required to be a legal entity, have a valid City of Edmonton business licence and be a registered charity or not-for-profit.
- If the rescue’s main office is outside of Edmonton, they may apply for a non-resident business licence (at a lower fee)
- These requirements are not applicable to individual residents for applications under extraordinary circumstances
Frequently Asked Questions
Fosters who care for animals under the direction of a not-for-profit animal rescue organization or registered charity, which holds a valid business licence under the City of Edmonton business licence bylaw and know that they will exceed the maximum allowable limits, including their own animals.
To apply for a temporary excess animal permit you need to have a certified letter from the not-for-profit animal rescue organization you’re fostering on behalf of identifying the animal you’re fostering and that it has been entrusted to your care.
The certified letter should include: Name of the animal, age, gender, spay/neuter status, breed, microchip/tattoo number and a photo of the animal.
You will also need to complete the Temporary Excess Animal Permit form inclusive of basic personal information, number of family/owned pets already living in the home and details for the excess foster animals
The number of additional animals permitted will be based on several factors including the animal type, breed, age, property type and previous bylaw complaint history.
The temporary excess animal permit grants permission to temporarily exceed the maximum allowable limit of pets at a property. We recognize that in some cases a permit may be required for an extended period of time. This will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
There is not a fee to obtain a temporary excess permit.
Apply for a Temporary Excess Animal Permit Online
Note: puppies and kittens under the age of 6 months are exempt from the maximum limits, and a Temporary Excess Animal Permit is not required.
Paper Applications
Mail paper applications and supporting documents or drop them off in person at the Animal Care and Control Centre, 13550 163 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5V 0B2.
The Animal Care and Control Bylaw waives the licensing fee for not-for-profit animal rescue organizations. However, it does maintain the licensing requirement for cats and dogs over the age of 6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fosters who care for animals under the direction of a not-for-profit animal rescue organization or registered charity, which holds a valid business licence under the City of Edmonton business licence bylaw.
To apply for a foster pet licence, you need to have a certified letter from the not-for-profit animal rescue organization you’re fostering on behalf of identifying the animal you’re fostering and that it has been entrusted to your care.
The certified letter should include: Name of the animal, age, gender, spay/neuter status, breed, microchip/tattoo number and a photo of the animal.
A foster pet licence application will need to be completed inclusive of basic information, the number of pets residing in the home and the details of the pets that the foster is caring for on behalf of the not-for-profit animal rescue organization.
The foster pet licence may be issued for up to one year unless there is an existing account in which case it will follow the same renewal cycle of the existing account
Apply for Your Foster Licence Online
Note: a foster licence is not required for puppies and kittens under the age of 6 months.
Paper Applications
Mail paper applications and supporting documents or drop them off in person at the Animal Care and Control Centre, 13550 163 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5V 0B2.
Contact Us
311 Contact Centre
Phone 311 | Outside Edmonton and Video Relay Service (VRS): 780-442-5311 | TTY 711