Alberta has tight rules on what animals you can have as pets, and which ones are controlled. The province is big on wildlife management.
That being said, regular domestic cats and dogs are not on any of those lists.
How many pet cats and dogs can I own in Alberta?
There are no provincial limits on the number of cats and dogs you can own.
These rules and regulations are decided at the municipal level. You must check the limits and bylaws in your city or town.
We can answer the question for the 2 biggest cities in Alberta.
How many pet cats and dogs can I own in Edmonton, Alberta?
In Edmonton, there is a maximum of 3 dogs, and 6 cats.
More specifically:
- You can have no more than 3 dogs, nuisance dogs, restricted dogs, or any combination thereof on any premises with a municipal address in the city of Edmonton.
- You can have no more than 6 cats on any premises with a municipal address in the city of Edmonton.
- There are exceptions to the rule, such as: if the dogs or cats are under the age of six months old, or for exempt animal welfare facilities such as the Edmonton Humane Society.
This is a screenshot of the relevant section of the City of Edmonton Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw. Here is a link to review it in it’s entirety.
How many pet cats and dogs can I own in Calgary, Alberta?
Calgary had a pet limit of 6 dogs and 6 cats that are more than three months of age residing in one dwelling unit.
Review the City of Calgary Responsible Pet Ownership bylaw here.
How Many Dogs and Cats can I Have in Red Deer, Alberta?
Review the bylaws and regulations surrounding dog and cat ownership in Red Deer here.
In Summary
- There is no dog or cat quantity ownership regulation at the Provincial level in Alberta, Canada.
- These matters are handled at the municipal level. Check your local bylaws.
- The limit in Edmonton is: 3 dogs and 6 cats
- The limit in Calgary is: 6 dogs and 6 cats
- There are exceptions to these rules. Please read the bylaws carefully to remain educated and stay on the right side of the law.
- If you exceed the limits, you can face fines.
- Check out the legality of owning exotic pets in Alberta.
