Community Services - Licensing & Inspections: Animal Control Home Page

It is estimated that there are 50,000 dogs living in the City of Vancouver. That's significant pooch power! This website provides useful information on living in the city with your dog and some tips on responsible dog ownership.

Licence your dog

If you own a dog in the City of Vancouver that's older than three months, you need to get it a licence. Not only is it a City by-law, it's protection for your pet. Those dogs who get lost and are not wearing a licence have a much more difficult time being reunited with their owners.

By purchasing your dog licence, you are supporting the operations of the Animal Shelter which provides food, shelter and medicinal treatment to lost, abandoned or abused pets, and funds education and pet adoption services. You are also providing valuable information to the City so that we can provide the services that you and your dog need.

Every year, more than 3,500 dogs go missing in Vancouver. A large percentage of lost dogs wearing a licence are returned to their owner, while a higher percentage of dogs lost without a tag never find their way back home.

When you buy your licence, your information wil automatically be entered into the City of Vancouver's Emergency Pet Registry. This service will give you a better chance of your pet being rescued and you being reunited with your dog.

Ways to get a licence

Dog licence renewals are staggered throughout the year according to where you live in Vancouver. For a map of zones, and expiry dates, click here.

How to get a licence

Go to the Vancouver Animal Control Shelter: 1280 Raymur Avenue, Vancouver (open weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.). Directions
Go to the City Hall Licence Office, 2nd Floor, East Wing, 453 West 12 Avenue Vancouver 873.7568 - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Apply online.

Pay for your dog licence online

Our online payment system will be down for service work starting February 5, 2010. For any credit card payments please contact 311 or outside Vancouver at 604 873 7000. You can also make payment in person at our shelter or by mailing a cheque to 1280 Raymur Ave, Vancouver, BC, V6A 3L8. We appologize for any inconvenience.

You can make an online payment on the City’s secure website with your credit card if you have an existing account for your dog licence. If you have just made an online application, you will need to wait until you receive a reference number for your new account before you can make an online payment.

Contact us

We're located at:

1280 Raymur Avenue (directly across from Strathcona Park)
Vancouver, BC V6A 3L8

Directions to the Animal Shelter

Telephone: 311 or outside Vancouver at 604.873.7000
Fax: 604.871.6862
E-mail: animalcontrol@vancouver.ca
Hours of operation: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. We are closed on all statutory holidays.

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Questions or Comments? Contact: animalcontrol@vancouver.ca