---
title: "Dawson Creek dog licences: fees and how to get one"
question: "How do I get a dog licence, and what does it cost?"
place: Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/dawson-creek
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Dawson Creek
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/dog-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/dog-licence.json"
---

# Dawson Creek dog licences: fees and how to get one

**Question:** How do I get a dog licence, and what does it cost?

**Short answer:** In Dawson Creek, every dog needs a licence for the current year. Apply online through the City's DocuPet portal within 7 days of becoming the owner. The 2026 fee is $24.46 for a spayed or neutered dog and $61.14 for one that is not, plus taxes.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Dawson Creek, https://www.dawsoncreek.ca)  
**Cost:** 2026 fees plus applicable taxes: $24.46 spayed or neutered dog; $61.14 dog that is not; $6.12 replacement tag. Nuisance animal $91.72, high-risk dog $122.29, aggressive dog $183.43. Fees are non-refundable.  
**How long:** Each licence expires 365 days after the day it was issued, so the renewal date is different for each dog.  
**Where:**
- Online: Dawson Creek DocuPet pet licence portal, https://dawsoncreek.docupet.com/en_CA/
- Phone: City of Dawson Creek (main line), 250-784-3600

## Key facts

- **Licence required:** Yes. Every dog (and cat) kept in the City needs a valid licence for the current year; apply and pay within 7 days of becoming the owner. The bylaw sets no minimum age.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 4.1, 4.2](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100)
  - Official wording: "No person will keep any dog or cat in the City unless a valid licence for the current year has been obtained." … "that person must apply for a licence and pay the designated fee within seven (7) days of becoming the owner of the dog or cat."
  - Source: [Animal Control Service Changes, Pet Licensing](https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/animal-services/animal-control-service-changes/)
  - Official wording: "Pet licensing will no longer be required within Dawson Creek city limits"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Issued by:** The City of Dawson Creek, which contracts the BC SPCA for animal services, including licensing. Licences are bought online through the City's DocuPet portal.
  - Source: [Animal Services](https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/animal-services/)
  - Official wording: "The City of Dawson Creek contracts the BC SPCA for all animal services, including licensing."
  - Source: [Animal Licences](https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/animal-services/animal-licences/)
  - Official wording: "Pet licences purchased through the City (via DocuPet) remain valid until November 30, 2026."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, spayed or neutered:** $24.46 a year (2026 fee), plus applicable taxes. The City may ask for a veterinarian's certificate showing the dog is spayed or neutered.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C, Schedule C, Licence Fees](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/136171)
  - Official wording: "ALL FEES PLUS APPLICABLE TAXES" … "Annual licence fee for a spayed or neutered dog $23.98 $24.46 $24.95 $25.45"
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 4.11](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100)
  - Official wording: "the licence application for the dog or cat shall be accompanied by a certificate from a qualified veterinarian indicating that the dog or cat is in fact neutered or spayed."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, not spayed or neutered:** $61.14 a year (2026 fee), plus applicable taxes.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C, Schedule C, Licence Fees](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/136171)
  - Official wording: "Annual licence fee for an intact dog $59.95 $61.14 $62.37 $63.61"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees and discounts:** Replacement tag $6.12 (2026). Other annual dog fees: nuisance animal $91.72, high-risk dog $122.29, aggressive dog $183.43. All fees are non-refundable and plus taxes.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C, Schedule C, Licence Fees](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/136171)
  - Official wording: "Replacement dog licence tag $6.00 $6.12 $6.24 $6.36" … "Annual fee for a nuisance animal $89.92 $91.72 $93.56 $95.43" … "Annual fee for a high-risk dog $119.89 $122.29 $124.73 $127.23" … "Annual fee for an aggressive dog $179.84 $183.43 $187.10 $190.84"
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 4.12](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100)
  - Official wording: "as amended or replaced from time to time are non-refundable."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Each licence expires 365 days after the day it was issued, so the renewal date is different for each dog.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 4.4](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100)
  - Official wording: "Every dog and cat licence issued under this bylaw expires 365 days from the date on which the licence is issued."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to get one:** Online through the City's Pet Licence Portal (DocuPet); the bylaw says applications use the City's digital form. You get a standard tag at no extra cost or can upgrade to a designer tag for a small fee. City phone 250-784-3600.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 4.3](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100)
  - Official wording: "A person may apply for a dog or cat licence using the digital form prescribed by the City of Dawson Creek"
  - Source: [Animal Licences](https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/animal-services/animal-licences/)
  - Official wording: "Pet Licence Portal" … "You can choose a standard tag at no extra cost or upgrade to a stylish designer tag for a small fee." … "Telephone: 250-784-3600"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine, unlicensed dog:** Bylaw notice: $150 ($125 if paid within 14 days; $175 if paid late). Municipal ticket: $500.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4277, Schedule B, Schedule B, s. 4.1](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112178)
  - Official wording: "4420 4.1 Unlicensed dog or cat 150 125 175 Yes" … "The Early Payment Penalty set out in Column A5 of Schedule "B" if received by the City within 14 days"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 4278, Schedule B, s. 4.1](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112527)
  - Official wording: "4420 4.1 Unlicensed dog or cat 500"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019 (fees are set in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, 2007, Schedule C)
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 1.1](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100)
  - Official wording: "ANIMAL RESPONSIBILITY BYLAW NO. 4420, 2019"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C, title](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/136171)
  - Official wording: "FEES AND CHARGES BYLAW NO. 3932, 2007"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 4420](<https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100>), no one may keep a dog or cat in Dawson Creek without a valid licence for the current year. You must apply and pay within 7 days of becoming the owner. The bylaw sets no minimum age. The City contracts the BC SPCA for animal services, and you buy the licence online through the City's DocuPet portal. Fees are in [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3932](<https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/136171>), Schedule C.

## Steps

1. Open the Dawson Creek DocuPet portal and create an account for your dog.
2. Choose the spayed or neutered fee only if the dog qualifies. The City may ask for a veterinarian's certificate.
3. Pay online. You get a standard tag at no extra cost, or you can upgrade to a designer tag for a small fee (the amount is not stated).
4. Attach the tag to your dog's collar or harness.

## Good to know

- A licence is valid only for the dog named on it and cannot be transferred to another animal. A new owner must notify the Poundkeeper within 7 days.
- No senior discount, early-payment discount, late fee or transfer fee appears in the bylaw or fee schedule.
- An unlicensed dog can bring a bylaw notice of $150 ($125 if paid within 14 days; $175 if paid late) or a municipal ticket of $500.
- The City has announced changes to animal services and licensing from December 2026; check with the City.

## Official forms and pages

- [Animal Licences page, City of Dawson Creek](https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/animal-services/animal-licences/)
- [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 4420 (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100)

## Related questions

- [Dawson Creek dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Dawson Creek](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/how-many-pets.md)
- [Dawson Creek rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/dangerous-dogs.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence.md)
- [Pouce Coupe](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/dog-licence.md)
- [Fort St. John](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/dog-licence.md)
- [Chetwynd](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/dog-licence.md)
- [Tumbler Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/dog-licence.md)
- [Hudson's Hope](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hudsons-hope/dog-licence.md)
- [Mackenzie](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/dog-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Animal Licences, City of Dawson Creek](https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/animal-services/animal-licences/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Services, City of Dawson Creek](https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/animal-services/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Control Service Changes, City of Dawson Creek](https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/animal-services/animal-control-service-changes/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019 (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/136171) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4277, Schedule B (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112178) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 4278 (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112527) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 9 of 9 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Dawson Creek. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/dog-licence/_