Dog Licence Information

• Found a Dog on the loose? What to do

  To report an incident occurring in the City of Nanaimo please call 250-616-0233.  For after hours emergencies listen to the recorded message for instructions.

  For animal control in the Regional District of Nanaimo please call Coastal Animal Services at 1-888-754-1397.

  The dog you have found hopefully has a tag.  On that tag should also be the phone number to reach the the Finance Department at the City of Nanaimo (250-755-4415).  The office phone hours are Monday to Friday 8:30 - 4:30 please call 250-616-0233 outside of these hours.

• Cost of a Dog Licence

  • Licences are $30 each, or $25 if you purchase before February 28th.
  • If you have just moved to Nanaimo or have a new dog after July 1, licences are prorated to $20 for the rest of the year.
  • For Guide, Service and Therapy dogs there is no charge, however you are required to still licence your dog and provide the documentation indicating the certification achieved.  This document will be scanned and attached to your dog licence account for future reference.

• Dog Licence Purchase Locations

  You can purchase Dog Licences and replacement tags at either one of these locations within the City of Nanaimo.

  City of Nanaimo - Service and Resource Centre 

  411 Dunsmuir Street  - Open Monday to Friday from 8:00am - 4:30pm

  Telephone:  250-755-4415

  Nanaimo Animal Shelter

  1260 Nanaimo Lakes Road - Open Monday to Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm and Saturday 9:00am - 4:00pm

  Telephone:  250-616-0233

• Dog Licence - What is required

  • Dogs older than 12 weeks are required to be licenced.  
  • Licences are valid January 1st until December 31st.
  • New Dog Licences MUST be purchased in person at one of these two locations:
    • City of Nanaimo Service and Resource Centre (411 Dunsmuir Street - Open Monday to Friday from 8:00am - 4:30pm)
    • Nanaimo Animal Shelter (1260 Nanaimo Lakes Road - Open Monday to Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm and Saturday 9:00am - 4:00pm)

  We do not require any specific documentation in order to issue a Dog Licence. We will enter the basic information in our system about your dog (breed, sex, colour, name, if the dog is spayed/neutered), and ownership details.

• Dog Licence Renewal - Info and ways of payment

  You can renew your dog licence in one of three ways:

  • Renew your dog licence online with our Online Payment Services by clicking Online Services (near the top of this page).  Then click on "Dog Licence Renewal" in the top right corner.  Please note that you will need your Dog Licence Account number and credit card handy for this option.
  • Renew your dog licence in person at the Service and Resource Centre or the Nanaimo Animal Shelter. 
  • Renew your dog licence via your financial institutions online banking.  Please note that you will need to add the City of Nanaimo Dog Licencing as a payee and reference your dog licence account number.

• Dog Tags and Replacement Tags

  It is mandatory by Animal Control that all dogs wear their tags as it is a primary point of contact should they need to contact you regarding your dog.

  There is no charge for a replacement at the time of renewal however, at any other point you need to replace your dog's tag there will be a $5 charge per tag.

  Tag Replacements MUST be obtained in person at one of the following locations:

  • Service and Resource Centre (411 Dunsmuir Street open Monday to Friday from 8:00am - 4:30pm)
  • Nanaimo Animal Shelter (1260 Nanaimo Lakes Road open Monday to Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm and Saturday 9:00am - 4:00pm)

• Service Dogs within the City of Nanaimo

  For Guide, Service and Therapy dogs there is no charge, however you are required to still licence your dog and provide the documentation indicating the valid certification achieved.  This document will be scanned and attached to your dog licence account for future reference.

• Dangerous or Breed Specific Legislation

  Info on Breed Specific Legislation and Canine Good Neighbor.

  Nanaimo Kennel Club offers classes to prepare your dog for the Canine Good Neighbor test.  Info can be found here http://www.nanaimokennelclub.ca/.

  Nanaimo Pet Services offers obedience classes to prepare your dog for the Canine Good Neighbor test.  Info can be found here https://www.nanaimopetservices.com/.

  Dates for the Canine Good Neighbor testing can be found by clicking https://www.nanaimopetservices.com/events-list.