{"title":"Fort St. John dog licences: fees and how to get one","question":"How do I get a dog licence, and what does it cost?","slug":"dog-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/fort-st-john","name":"Fort St. John","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Fort St. John","url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca"},"short_answer":"In Fort St. John, every dog over three months old needs a City of Fort St. John licence tag. The fee is $20 a year, the same for every dog, or $100 for a biting or aggressive dog. Buy it online through DocuPet, at City Hall or at the North Peace SPCA.","aliases":["dog license fort st john","dog tag fort st john","docupet fort st john","renew dog licence fort st john"],"cost":"$20 a year for each dog (no different amount for spayed or neutered dogs); $100 for a biting or aggressive dog; $5 replacement tag. Service dogs and other exempt dogs pay nothing. Licence fees are non-refundable. DocuPet designer tags cost extra (price not stated).","how_long":"Each licence is valid for 365 days from the day you buy it, so your renewal date depends on when you bought it.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"DocuPet (the City's licensing partner)","value":"https://fortstjohn.docupet.com/"},{"type":"in_person","label":"City Hall (reception helps with the DocuPet process)","value":"10631 100 Street, Fort St. John, BC V1J 3Z5","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; closed statutory holidays."},{"type":"in_person","label":"North Peace SPCA","value":"9311 81 Avenue, Fort St. John, BC"},{"type":"phone","label":"DocuPet licensing line","value":"1-855-249-1370"},{"type":"phone","label":"Bylaw Services (licensing questions)","value":"250-787-8150"}],"documents":["Documentation showing your dog is a service dog, RCMP dog or similar, if you are claiming an exemption"],"forms":[{"title":"Animal Control page, City of Fort St. John","url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/municipal-services/bylaw-services/animal-control"},{"title":"Animal Control Bylaw 2556, 2021 (consolidated PDF)","url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/animal-control-bylaw"},{"title":"Animal Control Brochure (PDF)","url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/animal-control-brochure"}],"related":[{"slug":"how-many-pets","title":"How many dogs or cats you can keep in Fort St. John","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/how-many-pets/"},{"slug":"dog-leash-rules","title":"Fort St. John dog leash rules and off-leash areas","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/dog-leash-rules/"},{"slug":"dangerous-dogs","title":"Fort St. John rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/dangerous-dogs/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/dawson-creek","name":"Dawson Creek","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/dog-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/pouce-coupe","name":"Pouce Coupe","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/dog-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/hudsons-hope","name":"Hudson's Hope","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hudsons-hope/dog-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/chetwynd","name":"Chetwynd","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/dog-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/tumbler-ridge","name":"Tumbler Ridge","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/dog-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/mackenzie","name":"Mackenzie","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/dog-licence/"}],"topic":{"title":"Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence/"},"facts":{"required":{"label":"Licence required","value":"Yes. All dogs over three months old living in Fort St. John must have and wear a current dog tag. Service dogs, RCMP dogs and dogs in school or research facilities (with documentation) are exempt. Visitors for up to two consecutive weeks, or 30 days in a calendar year, are exempt.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/municipal-services/bylaw-services/animal-control","title":"Animal Control, City of Fort St. John","section":"Dog Licensing","quotes":["All dogs over the age of three (3) months living in the City of Fort St. John are required to have and wear a current dog tag"]},{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/animal-control-bylaw","title":"Animal Control Bylaw No. 2556, 2021 (consolidated to Bylaw 2584, 2023) (PDF)","section":"ss. 5, 15, 17","quotes":["as soon as his or her Dog is three months of age","not exceeding thirty days in a calendar year","Service Dogs as defined under this Bylaw"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"issued_by":{"label":"Issued by","value":"The City of Fort St. John, through DocuPet. Tags are sold online, at City Hall or at the North Peace SPCA.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/municipal-services/bylaw-services/animal-control","title":"Animal Control, City of Fort St. John","section":"Dog Licensing","quotes":["The City of Fort St. John has partnered with DocuPet","Dog licences may be purchased online, at City Hall or the North Peace SPCA"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee_altered":{"label":"Fee, spayed or neutered","value":"$20 a year. The City does not charge a different amount for spayed or neutered dogs.","short":"$20 a year (same for all dogs)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/municipal-services/bylaw-services/animal-control","title":"Animal Control, City of Fort St. John","section":"Dog Licensing, License Fees","quotes":["$20 for each dog licence"]},{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/animal-control-brochure","title":"Animal Control brochure (revised January 2024) (PDF)","section":"Schedule of Fees","quotes":["for responsible pet ownership. All Dogs $20 Licensing Pick up after your dog Replacement tag $5"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee_unaltered":{"label":"Fee, not spayed or neutered","value":"$20 a year, the same as for a spayed or neutered dog.","short":"$20 a year (same as altered)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/municipal-services/bylaw-services/animal-control","title":"Animal Control, City of Fort St. John","section":"Dog Licensing, License Fees","quotes":["$20 for each dog licence"]},{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/animal-control-brochure","title":"Animal Control brochure (revised January 2024) (PDF)","section":"Schedule of Fees","quotes":["for responsible pet ownership. All Dogs $20 Licensing Pick up after your dog Replacement tag $5"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"other_fees":{"label":"Other fees and discounts","value":"Replacement tag $5. Biting or aggressive dog licence $100. Service dogs and other exempt dogs pay no fee. Designer tags cost extra. Licence fees are non-refundable.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/municipal-services/bylaw-services/animal-control","title":"Animal Control, City of Fort St. John","section":"Dog Licensing, License Fees","quotes":["$100 for each biting or aggressive dog licence","$5 replacement tag","upgrade to one of DocuPet’s colourful designer tag styles for an additional fee"]},{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/animal-control-bylaw","title":"Animal Control Bylaw No. 2556, 2021 (consolidated to Bylaw 2584, 2023) (PDF)","section":"s. 14","quotes":["Licence fees are non-refundable"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"Each licence is valid for a full 365 days after purchase, so the renewal date depends on when you bought it.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/municipal-services/bylaw-services/animal-control","title":"Animal Control, City of Fort St. John","section":"Dog Licensing","quotes":["all licences valid for a full 365 days after purchase"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_get":{"label":"How to get one","value":"Online through DocuPet (fortstjohn.DocuPet.com), in person at City Hall (reception helps with the DocuPet process), at the North Peace SPCA, or by phone at 1-855-249-1370.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/municipal-services/bylaw-services/animal-control","title":"Animal Control, City of Fort St. John","section":"Dog Licensing","quotes":["Dog licences may be purchased online, at City Hall or the North Peace SPCA, or by calling 1-855-249-1370."]},{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/animal-control-brochure","title":"Animal Control brochure (revised January 2024) (PDF)","section":"Licensing","quotes":["Dog licenses can be conveniently acquired"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine_unlicensed":{"label":"Fine, unlicensed dog","value":"An unlicensed dog carries a $200 bylaw notice. The amount is $150 on days 1–14 and $250 on days 31–60. A compliance agreement is available.","short":"Notice $200 ($150 if paid in 14 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/animal-control-bylaw","title":"Animal Control Bylaw No. 2556, 2021 (consolidated to Bylaw 2584, 2023) (PDF)","section":"Schedule C","quotes":["OFFENCE SECTION PENALTY EARLY LATE COMPLIANCE PAYMENT PAYMENT AGREEMENT AVAILABLE (15 - 30 (1 - 14 (31 - 60 Days (50% of Penalty) Days) Days) Collections 60+) Unlicensed Dog 5 $200.00 $150.00 $250.00 Yes"]},{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/animal-control-brochure","title":"Animal Control brochure (revised January 2024) (PDF)","section":"Bylaw Infractions","quotes":["• Dog licenses can be conveniently acquired online via Docupet. To license your dog, please Number of dogs Unlicensed dog $200 visit www.fortstjohn.DocuPet.com. Alternatively, • You are allowed to have a maximum of three (3) Failure to affix licence $200"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Animal Control Bylaw No. 2556, 2021 (consolidated to include Bylaw 2584, 2023)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/animal-control-bylaw","title":"Animal Control Bylaw No. 2556, 2021 (consolidated to Bylaw 2584, 2023) (PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited as “Animal Control Bylaw No. 2556, 2021”."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":9,"stated":9,"matched":9,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nEvery dog over three months old living in Fort St. John must have and wear a current tag under the [Animal Control Bylaw 2556](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/animal-control-bylaw). Licence a dog when it turns three months old. If you take on a dog that is already three months or older, the bylaw gives you one week. The City licenses dogs through DocuPet.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Go to the DocuPet page for Fort St. John, visit City Hall or the North Peace SPCA, or call 1-855-249-1370.\n2. Create a profile for your dog and pay $20, or $100 for a biting or aggressive dog.\n3. Choose the standard tag, or a designer tag for an extra fee.\n4. Fasten the tag to your dog's collar or harness. The dog must wear it.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- A licence runs 365 days from purchase, so note your own renewal date.\n- Exempt: service dogs, RCMP dogs, and dogs in school or research facilities (with documentation). Visitors for up to two consecutive weeks, or 30 days in a calendar year, are also exempt.\n- A replacement tag costs $5. Licence fees are not refunded.\n- No dog licence is a bylaw notice of $200 ($150 if paid within 14 days; $250 on days 31 to 60). Not fastening the licence to the collar is also $200. A compliance agreement may be available.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/municipal-services/bylaw-services/animal-control","title":"Animal Control, City of Fort St. John","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/animal-control-bylaw","title":"Animal Control Bylaw No. 2556, 2021 (consolidated to Bylaw 2584, 2023) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/animal-control-brochure","title":"Animal Control brochure (revised January 2024) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://fortstjohn.docupet.com/","title":"Pet Licensing in Fort St. John, DocuPet","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 9 of 9 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/dog-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/dog-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/dog-licence.json"}}