City of Toronto launches BluePaw pet licensing rewards program

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:

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News Release:  April 17, 2014                  

City of Toronto launches BluePaw pet licensing rewards program

Today, the City of Toronto's Animal Services officially launched its BluePaw licensing rewards program. This program rewards Toronto residents who license their dogs and cats, offering discounts at pet-related businesses.

"We are excited to partner with businesses to provide value to the residents who license their pets," said Councillor Cesar Palacio (Ward 17 Davenport), Chair of the Licensing and Standards Committee. "Licensing your pet is one of the ways that your animal can be returned to you in case of an emergency or if it gets lost."

The BluePaw Program encourages Toronto residents to license their pets. In accordance with Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 349, all dog and cat owners in Toronto must purchase a licence for their pet. Recent estimates show that only 30 per cent of dogs and 10 per cent of cats in Toronto are licensed.

Toronto Animal Services recognizes the opportunity to increase compliance with pet licensing by adding value to the service. The BluePaw Program allows pet owners to recuperate the licence fee over a period of time by showing the BluePaw tag at partner businesses to receive discounts on pet-related products and services.

Licensing fees go directly to Animal Services to help support programs such as pet adoption and spay/neuter clinics, and to provide medical care for lost and homeless animals.

More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/bluepaw or by calling 311.

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

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Media contact: Tammy Robbinson, Strategic Communications, 416-338-3761, trobbin@toronto.ca