Dog Licencing in the City of Nanaimo

As per the Licencing and Control of Animals Bylaw 1995 No. 4923 all dogs that reside within the City of Nanaimo's city limits must be licenced. If you do not live directly in the the City of Nanaimo's limits you are NOT required to licence your dog(s) with the City of Nanaimo. Please check with the municipality that you reside in to see if one is to be purchased through them.

Fact: 100% of the fees collected go toward the costs of operating the Nanaimo Animal Shelter, including care and adoption!!

You can now apply for a Dog Licence online by clicking the link below. You will be able to experience the convenience of obtaining a Dog Licence whether it be adding a new dog to an existing account, you’ve just moved to the City of Nanaimo or this is your first time owing a dog within the City of Nanaimo!

Here is what will happen when you apply online:

Completed application will be sent to the City of Nanaimo Finance Department upon submission
Finance Department staff review your application and create/update your account
You will then receive an invoice via email with instructions on how to pay
Once payment is received, a Dog Tag will be issued and sent with a receipt of payment via Canada Post mail

That's it!! Click Apply for a New Dog Licence to apply

Why licence your dog?

Owners can be ticketed $50 per day for non-compliance
Dog licences are the most effective way to reunite you with your lost dog. If your dog is found wearing a tag, the finder can call the on-duty officer 24/7 and we can call you right away and connect you to the finder. Every year hundreds of dogs are quickly reunited with their owners because they were found wearing a current licence tag and many owners got their dogs back without making a trip to the Pound or paying impound fees
If an unlicensed dog is impounded, a $100 penalty is added to the regular impound fees
A dog licence indicates your pet is not a stray, it has a home and needs to be returned to its family
Dog licences encourage owner accountability. Licence tags must be worn on a collar when a dog is in a public place or on private property other than where the dog is normally kept
Dog licence fees help to offset the costs of operating an animal control and pound service, which shelters, feeds, and provides care for lost animals

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Dog Licence Information

Dog Licence Purchase Options & Locations

Online - To purchase a Dog Licence online please click Apply for a New Dog Licence
If you prefer to come in person to purchase a Dog Licence or replacement tag, the following two locations are available 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
Cost of a Dog Licence
- Dog 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 pro-rated 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 - 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 online or 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)
  - Online: Apply for a New Dog Licence
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.
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.
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.

Contact Us

Dog Licencing 250-755-4415
dog.lic@nanaimo.ca

Last updated: July 7, 2021

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