Learn more about the requirements for owning dogs in Qualicum Beach and how to be a responsible pet owner.
Dog Licences & Ownership
Dog Ownership
Each household can keep no more than three dogs over the age of three months. On the owner’s property, dogs must be securely tethered or contained to prevent escaping.
Dog Licences
In Qualicum Beach, all dogs over the age of eight weeks must wear a current-year dog tag.
Dog licence tags expire annually on December 31st. Renewal notices are mailed out at the end of November.
Licence Fees
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Spayed/neutered: $25 annually
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Un-spayed/un-neutered: $45 annually
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Guide Dog (as defined by Guide Animal Act): no charge
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Replacement Dog Tag: $5 each
Receive a $5 discount if you purchase a dog licence:
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Before January 31st.
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Within 30 days of becoming the owner.
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Within 30 days of moving to Qualicum Beach.
If your dog is spayed/neutered in the year you paid for an un-spayed or un-neutered licence, you receive a rebate of $20.00 (if submitted before July 1st) or $12.50 (if submitted after July 1st). A veterinarian certificate is required.
To purchase a dog licence, visit Town Hall at 201-660 Primrose Street, Qualicum Beach, BC
Impounding Dogs
Unlicenced, at-large, or abandoned dogs will be taken to the SPCA shelter where, if unclaimed after 72 hours, may be sold or adopted.
Impound fees start at $50, plus $15 per day maintenance fee, a $20 unlicenced dog penalty and actual veterinary expenses (if any). Fees are payable when claiming your dog. See Bylaw No. 638 for rates.
Call the Parksville-Qualicum Beach SPCA to claim your dog at 250.248.3811
Discover off leash dog parks!
The Town of Qualicum Beach provides off-leash dog parks for residents to safely exercise their pets. Learn More...
Dog-Related Concerns
If you have found a lost dog, call our Bylaw Department at 250.738.2205.
If you have lost your dog, call the Parksville-Qualicum Beach SPCA at 250.248.3811.
Kennel licence fees start at $60 per year (4-8 dogs), in addition to a business licence fee. A kennel licence is only available where zoning permits.
A vicious dog is defined as a dog that:
- Has killed or seriously injured a person or animal.
- Has bitten, attacked or aggressively pursued a person or animal without provocation.
- Has a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack animals or humans without provocation.
- Has been trained for, or is owned for the purpose of, dog fighting.
- An Animal Control Officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person.
Owners of a vicious dog need to be aware of their civil liability and the Town of Qualicum Beach Animal Control Bylaw requires the owner to:
- Keep vicious dogs muzzled when on the owner’s property.
- Keep vicious dogs on a leash not exceeding two metres in length when off the owner’s property.
- Keep vicious dogs under control when off the owner’s property.
- Keep vicious dogs securely confined within a building or enclosure located no less than 1 metre from the property line, that prevents entry by a child under 12, when on the owner’s property.
- Post a warning sign at the entrance to the owner’s property, warning in writing, as well as with a symbol, that there is a vicious dog on the property.
If a vicious dog is impounded, owners will face an impound fee of $500, plus a $15 per day maintenance fee.
Notify the Town within two working days if the dog is sold, given away, or dies; and notify the Town immediately if the dog is loose or has bitten or attacked any person or animal.
To report a vicious dog, call our Bylaw Department at 250.738.2205.
The Town’s Noise Control Bylaw prohibits keeping animals which disturb the peace of others in the neighbourhood.
Fines range from $75 to $500 for each day that an offence continues.
- No Dog Licence: $75 ($50 if paid within 5 business days)
- Fail to Affix Dog Tag: $75 ($50 if paid within 5 business days)
- Dog At Large: $75
- Noisy Dog: $150
For a complete list of Municipal Ticket Information Utilization offences/fines, see Bylaw No. 626.
See a full fee schedule in Bylaw 638.
Report an Animal Control Concern
- To report a bear or cougar sighting: Provincial Conservation Officer at 1.877.952.7277
- To report a missing dog: SPCA at 250.248.3811
- To report a dead animal on the highway: 1.877.215.6006
- Qualicum Beach streets: 250.752.6921
