Living in High Park: A Local Guide for Cat and Dog Owners

Roncesvalles — or Roncy, as pretty much everyone around here calls it — is the kind of neighbourhood where you get to know the dogs.

Walk the same streets often enough and familiar faces start appearing: the dog that always stops at the same tree, the one waiting outside the coffee shop with its person, and the one you’ve passed so many times that eventually introductions seem unavoidable.

For people with cats, Roncy offers something different: a largely residential neighbourhood where many homes, apartments and condos are within easy reach of veterinary care, pet supplies and other services.

We’ve been caring for pets throughout Roncesvalles for years. Here are a few things local cat and dog owners may find useful.

Roncy Is Made for Walking

One of the best things about having a dog in Roncesvalles is that you don’t necessarily need a destination.

The neighbourhood itself is the walk.

The residential streets running east and west of Roncesvalles Avenue offer plenty of different routes, with mature trees, older homes, gardens and enough neighbourhood activity to keep a dog’s nose busy.

Head west and you’re approaching High Park. Head south and the lake isn’t far away. To the east, Sorauren Park provides another popular neighbourhood destination.

Even the main Roncesvalles strip can make an interesting walk — although streetcars, bicycles, pedestrians, other dogs and busy intersections mean there can be quite a bit going on.

For a confident city dog, that’s all part of Roncy.

For a dog that prefers some personal space, one of the quieter side streets may be a considerably better choice.

Sorauren Park Is a Neighbourhood Dog Hub

Sorauren Avenue Park occupies a special place in Roncy life.

And if you have a dog, you’re likely to become familiar with it fairly quickly.

The park includes a designated dogs off-leash area, giving neighbourhood dogs a place to exercise and socialize without having to travel to High Park. The City of Toronto currently lists Sorauren Avenue Park among its designated off-leash locations. Of course, if you’ve been there, you know that the off-leash is not the only place where dogs run free. 🙂

High Park Is Right Next Door

One of Roncesvalles’ biggest advantages for dog owners actually sits just at its edge.

High Park is an easy walk from much of Roncy and gives dog owners access to an entirely different walking environment: wooded trails, paved roads, open spaces and its large designated off-leash area known as Dog Hill.

That opens up the options. 

A dog can have a quiet residential walk one day, visit Sorauren’s off-leash the next, and head into High Park when there’s time for a longer adventure.

Variety is not a problem.

Streetcars, Cyclists and Busy Sidewalks

Walking a dog in Roncy isn’t quite the same as walking on a quiet suburban street.

Roncesvalles Avenue is an active commercial and transit corridor. Streetcars run along it, cyclists use the neighbourhood, people are coming in and out of shops and restaurants, and dogs regularly encounter one another on the sidewalk.

That can be excellent everyday social exposure for the right dog.

It can also be a lot for a nervous, young or reactive one.

Sometimes the best dog walk in Roncesvalles involves walking away from Roncesvalles Avenue.

The side streets can provide a much calmer environment while still offering plenty for a dog to explore.

Roncy With a Cat

Cats experience the neighbourhood rather differently.

They probably don’t care that High Park is nearby, and we’re fairly confident they aren’t impressed by the streetcar service.

Cat owners also have the advantage of being able to pick up many everyday supplies without leaving the neighbourhood.

Kennel Cafe — 285 Roncesvalles Avenue
An independent neighbourhood pet store that’s been part of Roncy since 1998. It carries cat food, treats, toys, accessories and other supplies, along with products for dogs and small animals.

Pet Valu — 422 Roncesvalles Avenue
Located toward the north end of Roncesvalles, this location carries cat food, litter, toys, accessories and other everyday pet supplies.

That means forgetting to buy enough cat food or discovering that the litter bag is empty doesn’t necessarily require getting in the car.

Veterinary Care Around Roncesvalles

One significant advantage of living with a pet in this part of Toronto is the number of veterinary practices within Roncy or a relatively short distance from it.

Roncy Village Veterinary Clinic is located directly on Roncesvalles Avenue, while Roncesvalles Animal Hospital also serves the neighbourhood. 

Pet owners also have a significant number of veterinary options in the area. We have a list of those in the High Park Local Guide.

A Neighbourhood Where Errands Can Become Dog Walks

Roncesvalles is highly walkable. For dog owners, that means exercise doesn’t always have to be a dedicated expedition.

A trip along the avenue, a loop through the residential streets, a walk toward Sorauren or a longer outing toward High Park can all become part of the dog’s day.

That kind of everyday walkability is particularly valuable if you have a dog that needs several outings rather than one big adventure.

Cats at the Window, Dogs on the Sidewalk

One of the things we’ve noticed after years of working in Roncesvalles is how visible pets are in everyday neighbourhood life.

Dogs are everywhere.

Cats are a little more discreet, although you’ll certainly spot plenty surveying the neighbourhood from windows and porches.

And because Roncy is compact and walkable, you start recognizing them.

People in Roncy often say, there’s more dogs and cats than people here … and it is always said with love.