Animal Control
The NBSPCA is responsible for animal control in rural areas and some municipalities across New Brunswick. We serve these communities by helping with problems like:
Stray dogs running at large | Nuisance dogs | Dog attacks on people or animals
Areas Served
- Arcadia (Gagetown and Cambridge-Narrows)
- Boutouche
- Carleton North (Bath, Centerville and Florenceville – Bristol)
- Fredericton Junction
- Hampton
- Hartland
- Harvey
- Nackawic
- Norton
- Plaster Rock
- Quispamsis
- Rexton
- Richibucto
- Saint Quentin
- Saint Louis de Kent
- Salisbury
- St. George
- Sussex
- Woodstock
Lost Your Dog?
Animal Protection Officers post notices of all of the dogs they pick up on the NBSPCA Facebook page to help locate the owner.
The Importance of Dog Tags
It’s important for your pet to have identification so they can be returned if they get lost. All dogs in the province of New Brunswick are required by law to be registered and wear a dog tag.
When an Animal Protection Officer picks up a stray dog without a tag it is immediately brought to a shelter. If they find a microchip, they’ll call the owners who must pay applicable fines, boarding fees and purchase a tag.
If you live in a community with its own enforcement officer, contact them to obtain your pet’s registration tag. If you live outside of those communities, register your pets online with DocuPet.
Reporting Animal Control Issues
Animal control problems such as stray dogs, barking dogs, dog bites, etc., can be reported to the NBSPCA 24⁄7 at 1 (877) 722‑1522.
Whenever possible, please provide a description of the dog and the address of the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve lost my dog. Has it been picked up by the NBSPCA? What can I do to find it?
If your dog becomes lost, you should check the NBSPCA Facebook page and/or call your local shelter. Be prepared to provide a detailed description of your dog along with the area in which it was lost.
If you live in a rural area and your cat or dog has strayed off your property, there’s a chance that it’s been picked up by an NBSPCA Animal Protection Officer. Visit our Facebook page to see if they’ve posted your dog.
Under the Provincial Dog Regulations, if the dog is not claimed within 72 hours, the dog becomes the property of the NBSPCA. We are fortunate to have partnerships with the local shelters and, generally, the dogs are turned over to them for adoption.
What happens to a stray dog picked up by the NBSPCA?
When a stray dog is picked up and the owners are unknown, the dog is provided with immediate veterinary care (if needed), then housed at a partner shelter or kennel. Animal Protection Officers post notices of all dogs who have been picked up running at large on our Facebook page. Under the Provincial Dog Regulations, if the dog is not claimed within 72 hours, the dog becomes the property of the NBSPCA. We are fortunate to have partnerships with the local shelters and, generally, the dogs are turned over to them for adoption.
What is considered an animal control issue?
Stray dogs, dogs running at large, nuisance barking and dog bites are all issues dealt with by NBSPCA Animal Control Officers. If you would like to report an animal control issue, please call our hotline at 1−877−722−1522.
My neighbour has a dog that barks all the time and bothers me and the whole neighbourhood. Can you help me?
If you live in a rural area of the province or municipality, where the NBSPCA is responsible for stray dogs, you can call our hotline at 1−877−722−1522. An NBSPCA Animal Protection Officer will investigate the situation.
If you live in a village, town or city that enforces their own bylaws, you will need to call your municipal office. If you’re not sure which applies, give us a call at 1−877−722−1522 and an operator will advise you.
A stray cat has shown up in my yard. Will the NBSPCA come and get it if I call the hotline number?
The NBSPCA doesn’t pick up stray or homeless cats unless they are injured, are in immediate danger, or are being abused. If you can’t find the cat’s owner, we recommend calling your nearest animal shelter to bring the cat in to surrender it. Please, remember that cats with good homes sometimes roam for long periods of their own free will and may appear homeless.
The NBSPCA also can’t deal with colonies of feral cats. In some cases, however, the organization CARMA (Cat-Rescue-Maritimes) can assist with feral colonies.
There’s a sick raccoon or injured deer in my backyard. Who should I call?
Under provincial law, the NBSPCA is not allowed to intervene with wild animals (unless they are being held in captivity). Please call the Department of Natural Resources.
