Regardless of a dog’s (and owner's) lifestyle, the City of Vancouver Animal Control By-law 9150 (188kb) requires that all dogs are licensed on an annual basis. A licence provides your dog with identification that will give Animal Control Officers the information required to bring your dog home should it go missing.

Dog licenses offer cheap insurance for the safe return of your dog should it become lost. A lost dog wearing its license tag is almost always re-united with its owner when found. Also, if we find your dog and it is wearing the license tag for current and up to date licence, the first ride home is free.

The City of Vancouver, Animal Control By-law Section states that all dog owners must keep the dog license tag on a collar around the neck of their dog.

There are benefits to having the dog tag on your dog:

• A lost dog wearing its license tag is almost always re-united with its owner when found.
• A licence allows staff to contact you in case of emergency to make vital decisions regarding the care of your pet.
• If we find your dog and it is wearing and current and up to date license tag, the first ride home is free.
• The dog license tells strangers that your lost dog is not homeless and is only one phone call away from going home.

The City of Vancouver Animal Control By-law 9150 Section 3.1 requires that you license your dog.

There are benefits to licensing your dog:

• A lost dog wearing its license tag is almost always re-united with its owner when found.
• If we find your dog and it is wearing the license tag, with an up to date and current licence the first ride home is free.
• You will not face legal action for failing to license your dog under the City of Vancouver Animal Control By-law, thereby avoiding the time spent attending Court and the financial burden of paying the fine assessed by the judge.
• The dog licence tells strangers that your lost dog is not homeless and is only one phone call away from going home.

You must buy a licence because it is the law. Many of the dogs that are brought into Animal Control are dogs that have never run loose before. Perhaps someone has opened your gate without your noticing or perhaps during a high wind your fence has blown down. During a storm or fire works, many dogs who have never been frightened before become frightened and run away from their home. Expect the unexpected and protect your dog with a dog license.

In order to keep accurate and up-to-date records, we ask you to please send us any updated information on either yourself or your pets. Updated information (e.g., new mailing address, phone number, tattoo, etc.) can be sent via mail, fax, phone or by email to:

Vancouver Animal Services
1280 Raymur Avenue
Vancouver, BC V6A 3L8

Inside Vancouver: 3-1-1
Outside Vancouver: 604.873.7000
Fax: 604.871.6862

animalcontrol@vancouver.ca

You can apply for your licence online. Once a clerk has input all of your information we will send you a confirmation email with your reference number and the total of the pro-rated dog licence. Payment can then be made online, over the phone or in person.

Your first license is pro-rated and is determined by your address.

There is a reduced fee for having your dog spayed or neutered.

For a twelve month period:

• Regular license (unsterilized dog) $68.00
• Reduced fee for sterilized dog $36.00

Spreading the renewal months throughout the year by establishing a pro-rated licensing system provides better service to our customers.

100% of dog licence fees stay with Animal Control to help offset the Agency costs. Your licence fee allows Animal Control to:

• feed and shelter your dog if it becomes lost until it can be re-united with you
• transport lost dogs that require emergency care to a veterinarian
• educate the public about responsible pet ownership
• help neighbours resolve their problems related to dogs
• return lost dogs to their owners
• reduces funding from taxes for the above and other animal related services designed to protect the public’s health and safety
• operate a Dog Adoption Program

Yes, your service dog must be licensed. However, the City of Vancouver Animal Control By-Law 9150 section 3.4 offers the license free of charge. Contact Animal Control at 311 for further information on eligibility.

A service dog is one that has been trained and accredited through a recognized assistant or guide training school. A certificate of graduation is required in order to receive the licence free of charge.

Yes. Animal Control will send an invoice to you at the beginning of the month that your license expires.

No. You can only license your dog for one year.

The dog tags that were originally issued to you are kept for the life of the dog. If you lose your dog tag, replacement tags can be issued for a $5.00 charge. Call Animal Control at 311 for more information on replacement tags.

No, each new dog needs to have their own licence tag. Tags can only be issued to a single dog. You will receive a new tag with your new dog licence application.

Call Animal Control at 3-1-1 and renew over the phone.

Owners can also renew online by searching for their address.

To request a license refund, contact Animal Control at 3-1-1.

Animal Control will require a letter from the licensed dog owner requesting a license refund.

• If your dog is deceased, Animal Control will require proof of euthanasia. If that is not available to you, your letter of request should include the name of the veterinarian clinic that cared for your dog and the date that your dog was euthanized.
• If you have moved from the City of Vancouver, your letter of request must indicate your new address and phone number.
• If you have sold or given away your dog, your letter of request should indicate the name, address and phone number of the new dog owner.
• Your dog tag must be mailed in with the request for a refund to be considered.

Please provide a certificate of death for your dog or letter from your veterinarian. Animal Control will review your refund request and process any refund that may be owing.

Refunds are calculated on a pro rated basis for the unused portion of the licence.

It takes approximately 6 weeks for your refund to be processed after the required documentation has been received by Animal Control.

No. Contact your municipal office for information on their licensing by-law.

If we are able to verify that the licence is current and up to date we will transfer your licence to your new address for a fee of $5. This will make your licence valid until your first renewal period.

No, your dog does not require a special licence. All dogs within the City of Vancouver require an annual dog licence.

If you have lost your dog’s license tag, contact Animal Control, inside Vancouver at 3-1-1 or outside Vancouver at 604.873.7000. A replacement tag will be issued at a cost of $5.00. Replacement tags can also be issued to you in-person at Animal Control, 1280 Raymur Avenue.

Please notify the clerk if you are renewing your licence that you require a replacement tag. There is an addition $5.00 charge for replacement tags. If you do not need to renew your license, a replacement tag can be issued over the phone by calling inside Vancouver at 3-1-1 or outside Vancouver at 604.873.7000 or in person at Animal Control, 1280 Raymur Avenue.

The City of Vancouver licence tags are metal only. If your pet suffers from an allergy to metal, visit your local pet store, veterinarian or groomer to find a nylon cover for the tag. This may help prevent your dog from having an allergic reaction.

Yes. Dog license tags come in two sizes, for large dogs and small dogs.