How many dogs or cats you can keep in Chetwynd
How many dogs or cats can I keep?
Short answer
In Chetwynd, you may keep no more than 3 dogs over 12 weeks old on a property. Cats and dogs together may not exceed 6 animals over 12 weeks old, and no more than 3 of them may be dogs.
Key facts
| Dogs allowed | No more than 3 dogs over 12 weeks old on any real property, including a premises with a suite, boarder or tenant.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023, s. 8.1; Animal Control, FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingnot more than three (3) dogs over the age of twelve (12) weeks A maximum of 3 dogs per household is in place |
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| Cats allowed | No separate cat limit is stated. Cats and dogs together may not exceed 6 over 12 weeks old (of which no more than 3 may be dogs).Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023, s. 8.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingmore than a combined total of six (6) cats and dogs together over the age of twelve (12) weeks |
| Other animal limits | Hens: up to 5 per property. Beehives: 2 on a parcel under 929 m², 4 on a parcel over 929 m² and under 1,394 m², 6 on a parcel over 1,394 m².Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023, s. 9.2(b), 10.2(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingkeep no more than five (5) Hens on any parcel of land despite the number of two (2) beehives on any parcel of land under 929 square meters four (4) beehives on any parcel of land over 929 square meters six (6) beehives on any parcel of land over 1,394 square meters |
| Exceptions | The 6-animal and 3-dog limits do not apply to a licensed kennel, veterinarian or animal shelter. A kennel needs a kennel permit and a $125 kennel licence.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023, s. 8.2, 12.1; Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingSection 8.1 does not apply to a licensed kennel, veterinarian, or animal shelter. obtain a kennel permit Kennel License $125.00 |
| Fine | Municipal ticket under Animal Responsibility Bylaw Schedule B: $75 for a 1st offence, $150 for a 2nd, and $75 more for each further offence within 12 months by the same owner.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023, Schedule B, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording1st offence $75.00 $150.00 3rd and subsequent offences will be subject to increases in the amount of $75.00 for each offence. |
| Bylaw | Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThis bylaw may be cited for all purposes as |
How it works
The Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158 allows no more than 3 dogs over 12 weeks old on any real property, including a premises with a suite, boarder or tenant. No separate cat limit is stated. Cats and dogs together may not exceed 6 animals over 12 weeks old, of which no more than 3 may be dogs. Animals under 12 weeks are not counted.
Good to know
- The limits do not apply to a licensed kennel, veterinarian or animal shelter. A kennel needs a kennel permit and a $125 kennel licence.
- Hens and bees have their own limits: up to 5 hens per property, and 2, 4 or 6 beehives depending on parcel size. See the backyard chickens answer.
- Going over the limit can bring a municipal ticket: $75 for a first offence, $150 for a second, and $75 more for each further offence within 12 months.
- The District's Animal Control page says it does not handle cat issues, but the bylaw counts cats in the combined limit. Confirm with Bylaw Enforcement at 250-401-4119.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Tumbler Ridge · Fort St. John · Dawson Creek · Pouce Coupe · Mackenzie · Prince George
Sources
- Animal Control, District of Chetwynd (read 2026-11-08)
- Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023 (PDF), District of Chetwynd (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.