{"title":"How many dogs or cats you can keep in Abbotsford","question":"How many dogs or cats can I keep?","slug":"how-many-pets","place":{"path":"ca/bc/abbotsford","name":"Abbotsford","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"regional","owner_label":"Regional district","owner_body":{"name":"Fraser Valley Regional District","url":"https://www.fvrd.ca"},"short_answer":"In Abbotsford, the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) Animal Control bylaw allows no more than 3 dogs and no more than 3 cats over four months old on a property, within a total of 5 pets, unless zoning or other regulations permit more.","aliases":["pet limit abbotsford","how many dogs abbotsford","how many cats abbotsford","maximum pets per household abbotsford"],"cost":"Fine for excess pets: $100 FVRD bylaw notice ($90 if paid within 14 days, $110 if paid more than 28 days after).","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"FVRD Animal Control","value":"1-844-495-CARE"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated, PDF)","url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"dog-licence","title":"Abbotsford dog licences: fees and how to get one","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/dog-licence/"},{"slug":"backyard-chickens","title":"Abbotsford backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/backyard-chickens/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/mission","name":"Mission","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/how-many-pets/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langley-township","name":"Township of Langley","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/how-many-pets/"},{"place":"ca/bc/chilliwack","name":"Chilliwack","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/how-many-pets/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langley","name":"Langley City","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/how-many-pets/"},{"place":"ca/bc/maple-ridge","name":"Maple Ridge","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/how-many-pets/"},{"place":"ca/bc/pitt-meadows","name":"Pitt Meadows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/how-many-pets/"}],"topic":{"title":"Dog and cat limits in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/how-many-pets/"},"facts":{"dog_limit":{"label":"Dogs allowed","value":"No more than 3 dogs on a property, within a total of 5 pets, unless zoning or other regulations permit more.","short":"Max 3 dogs (within 5 pets total)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf","title":"FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated), Part D (PDF)","section":"Part D","quotes":["A person must not keep or allow to be kept on any real property more than a total of 5","pets consisting of not more than three dogs or not more than three cats over the age of 4","months, except as permitted pursuant to applicable zoning or other regulations."]},{"url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/sites/default/files/2021-02/Abbotsford%20Good%20Neighbour%20Guide.pdf","title":"Abbotsford Good Neighbour Guide (2021) (PDF)","section":"Animal Control","quotes":["Residents are limited to 5 pets per property including not more than 3 dogs or 3 cats."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"cat_limit":{"label":"Cats allowed","value":"No more than 3 cats over the age of 4 months, within a total of 5 pets, unless zoning or other regulations permit more.","short":"Max 3 cats (within 5 pets total)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf","title":"FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated), Part D (PDF)","section":"Part D","quotes":["A person must not keep or allow to be kept on any real property more than a total of 5","pets consisting of not more than three dogs or not more than three cats over the age of 4","months, except as permitted pursuant to applicable zoning or other regulations."]},{"url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/sites/default/files/2021-02/Abbotsford%20Good%20Neighbour%20Guide.pdf","title":"Abbotsford Good Neighbour Guide (2021) (PDF)","section":"Animal Control","quotes":["Residents are limited to 5 pets per property including not more than 3 dogs or 3 cats."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"other_limits":{"label":"Other animal limits","value":"Combined limit of 5 pets per property. 'Pet' means a common domesticated animal other than exotic animals, wildlife, livestock or poultry. Exotic animals listed in Schedule D are banned unless permitted by municipal regulation. Livestock and poultry are not allowed unless zoning permits.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf","title":"FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated), Part D (PDF)","section":"Part B, D, H, I; s. 35, 38","quotes":["means any common domesticated animal other than exotic animals, wildlife,","livestock or poultry kept within a residence or on real property;","No person shall possess or keep in any area, temporarily or permanently, any species","livestock or poultry or animals typically requiring the presence of an aviary or apiary are not kept on any real property, except as permitted"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exceptions":{"label":"Exceptions","value":"Zoning or other regulations can permit more than the FVRD limit. A Breeding and Boarding Kennel (four or more dogs or cats) is a permitted use in the A1 and Rural Residential zones. Four or more dogs trigger extra care rules. The limit counts cats over 4 months old; the bylaw is unclear whether younger puppies count.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf","title":"FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated), Part D (PDF)","section":"Part D; s. 33","quotes":["except as permitted pursuant to applicable zoning or other regulations.","a person keeping four or more dogs on a property must not cause or permit:","pets consisting of not more than three dogs or not more than three cats over the age of 4"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400120","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 120 Definitions","section":"Definitions","quotes":["group of pens or cages for the breeding or boarding, including Pet Daycare, of four","more dogs or cats"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400210","title":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400210","section":"s. 210.1.3","quotes":["Breeding and Boarding Kennel"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400310","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 310 Rural Residential Zone (RR)","section":"s. 310.1.12","quotes":["Breeding and Boarding Kennel"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"$100 for excess pets (FVRD bylaw notice; $90 if paid within 14 days, $110 if paid more than 28 days after).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Other/CONSOLIDATED%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"FVRD Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 1415, 2017, Schedule A-3 (consolidated) (PDF)","section":"Schedule A-3, Part D","quotes":["D Excess Pets $100 $90 $110"]},{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Other/CONSOLIDATED%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"FVRD Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 1415, 2017, Schedule A-3 (consolidated) (PDF)","section":"s. 5.2, 5.3","quotes":["received by the Registry within 14 days of a person receiving or being presumed to have","payment is received more than 28 days after a person received or is presumed to have"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Fraser Valley Regional District Animal Control Regulation Bylaw No. 1206, 2013 (Part D, Pets)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf","title":"FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated), Part D (PDF)","section":"Part A and D","quotes":["Fraser Valley Regional District Animal Control Regulation","Bylaw No. 1206, 2013","D. PETS"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe FVRD [Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206](<https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf>) applies in Abbotsford. A property may have no more than 3 dogs and no more than 3 cats over the age of 4 months, within a combined limit of 5 pets, unless zoning or other regulations permit more.\n\n\"Pet\" means a common domesticated animal other than exotic animals, wildlife, livestock or poultry.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Exotic animals listed in Schedule D of the bylaw are banned unless a municipal regulation permits them.\n- Livestock and poultry are not allowed unless zoning permits them. See the backyard chickens answer.\n- A Breeding and Boarding Kennel (four or more dogs or cats) is a permitted use in the A1 and Rural Residential zones. Four or more dogs also trigger extra care rules in the bylaw.\n- The bylaw wording is unclear on whether puppies under 4 months count toward the limit. Ask FVRD Animal Control at 1-844-495-CARE.\n- Excess pets bring a $100 bylaw notice ($90 if paid within 14 days, $110 if paid more than 28 days after).","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Animal~Control/CONSOLIDATED%20-%20Animal%20Control%20Regulation%20Bylaw%201206,%202013.pdf","title":"FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated), Part D (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Other/CONSOLIDATED%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"FVRD Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 1415, 2017, Schedule A-3 (consolidated) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/sites/default/files/2021-02/Abbotsford%20Good%20Neighbour%20Guide.pdf","title":"Abbotsford Good Neighbour Guide (2021) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400120","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 120 Definitions","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400310","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 310 Rural Residential Zone (RR)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400210","title":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400210","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/how-many-pets/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/how-many-pets.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/how-many-pets.json"}}