GovHandbook

Dawson Creek dog licences: fees and how to get one

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

Dawson Creek, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

Licence requiredYes. 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.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 4.1, 4.2; Animal Control Service Changes, Pet Licensing · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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.
Pet licensing will no longer be required within Dawson Creek city limits
Issued byThe City of Dawson Creek, which contracts the BC SPCA for animal services, including licensing. Licences are bought online through the City's DocuPet portal.Animal Services; Animal Licences · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
The City of Dawson Creek contracts the BC SPCA for all animal services, including licensing.
Pet licences purchased through the City (via DocuPet) remain valid until November 30, 2026.
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.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C, Schedule C, Licence Fees; Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 4.11 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
ALL FEES PLUS APPLICABLE TAXES
Annual licence fee for a spayed or neutered dog $23.98 $24.46 $24.95 $25.45
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.
Fee, not spayed or neutered$61.14 a year (2026 fee), plus applicable taxes.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C, Schedule C, Licence Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Annual licence fee for an intact dog $59.95 $61.14 $62.37 $63.61
Other fees and discountsReplacement 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.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C, Schedule C, Licence Fees; Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 4.12 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
as amended or replaced from time to time are non-refundable.
RenewalEach licence expires 365 days after the day it was issued, so the renewal date is different for each dog.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 4.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Every dog and cat licence issued under this bylaw expires 365 days from the date on which the licence is issued.
How to get oneOnline 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.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 4.3; Animal Licences · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
A person may apply for a dog or cat licence using the digital form prescribed by the City of Dawson Creek
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
Fine, unlicensed dogBylaw notice: $150 ($125 if paid within 14 days; $175 if paid late). Municipal ticket: $500.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4277, Schedule B, Schedule B, s. 4.1; Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 4278, Schedule B, s. 4.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
4420 4.1 Unlicensed dog or cat 500
BylawAnimal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019 (fees are set in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, 2007, Schedule C)Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 1.1; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
ANIMAL RESPONSIBILITY BYLAW NO. 4420, 2019
FEES AND CHARGES BYLAW NO. 3932, 2007

How it works

Under Animal Responsibility Bylaw 4420, 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, 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

The same question in other places

Pouce Coupe · Fort St. John · Chetwynd · Tumbler Ridge · Hudson's Hope · Mackenzie

Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Animal Licences, City of Dawson Creek (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Animal Services, City of Dawson Creek (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Animal Control Service Changes, City of Dawson Creek (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  6. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4277, Schedule B (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  7. Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 4278 (PDF) (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. How answers are checked.