---
title: How many dogs or cats you can keep in Kamloops
question: "How many dogs or cats can I keep?"
place: Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/kamloops
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Kamloops
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/how-many-pets/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/how-many-pets.json"
---

# How many dogs or cats you can keep in Kamloops

**Question:** How many dogs or cats can I keep?

**Short answer:** In the City of Kamloops you may keep no more than two dogs over six months old on any parcel of land or in any dwelling unit, and no more than two cats on any parcel. A third dog needs a Council variance ($350 non-refundable application fee). Kennels, vet clinics and working farms are exempt.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Kamloops, https://www.kamloops.ca)  
**Cost:** $350 non-refundable fee to apply for a variance to keep more than two dogs.  
**Where:**
- In person: Community Services Office (variance applications), 1303 Mission Flats Road, Kamloops, BC (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring one piece of government-issued ID.)
- Phone: Community Services, 250-828-3409
- Email: Community Services, communityservices@kamloops.ca

## Key facts

- **Dogs allowed:** No more than two dogs over six months old on any parcel of land or in any dwelling unit in the City. More than two needs a variance from Council ($350 non-refundable application fee).
  - Source: [Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42, s. 501(a), (c)](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/8285)
  - Official wording: "A person shall not have more than two dogs over the age of six months on any parcel of land or dwelling unit within the City." … "A person may apply for a variance to the maximum number of dogs as per Council Policy No. GGA-30."
  - Source: [Pet Ownership, page](https://www.kamloops.ca/public-safety/community-services/animal-control/pet-ownership)
  - Official wording: "The applicant must pay a non-refundable $350 variance application fee."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Cats allowed:** No more than two cats on any parcel of land in the City.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 34-11, s. 5.2](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/8206)
  - Official wording: "No person shall keep, harbour or have more than two cats on any parcel of land in the City"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other animal limits:** Rodents (rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas and others) have no stated number limit but must stay on the owner's property in structures that meet zoning setbacks. Hens: 2 to 5, only on single- or two-family residential lots of 370 m² to 1 acre. Farm animals: only on parcels of at least one acre, no more than two per acre.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 34-11, ss. 6.1, 3.2](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/8206)
  - Official wording: "Rodents may be kept on any parcel of land subject to the following conditions:" … "No person shall keep or harbour more than two farm animals per 0.4047 ha (one acre) on any parcel of land within the City." … "3.1 No person shall keep or harbour any farm animal on any parcel of land in the City" … "unless the said parcel has an area of not less than 0.4047 ha (one acre)." … "No person shall keep or harbour more than two farm animals per 0.4047 ha"
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 34-11, s. 1.2 "Rodent"](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/8206)
  - Official wording: "in this bylaw) kept as pets, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes: Rabbits Hamsters White Mice Chinchillas Guinea Pigs"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Exceptions:** Dogs: the two-dog limit does not apply to a kennel, hobby kennel (hobby kennel: no more than five dogs, all licensed), licensed veterinary clinic or working cattle ranch or farm; registered guide and personal assistance dogs are exempt with proof. Cats: kennel operators, registered cat breeders and working cattle ranches or farms are exempt.
  - Source: [Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42, ss. 501(b), 502, 606](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/8285)
  - Official wording: "Section 501 a) does not apply to a person operating a:" … "licensed veterinary clinic" … "shall have no more than five dogs, all of which must be licensed" … "shall be exempt from the limit on the maximum number of dogs" … "Any person or persons operating a hobby kennel must be engaged only in the breeding" … "shall have no more than five dogs, all of which must be licensed."
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 34-11, s. 5.2](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/8206)
  - Official wording: "or a person who is engaged in the breeding of cats and who operates under a name currently registered with the Cat Fanciers' Association"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** $100 for exceeding the maximum number of dogs (s. 501).
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw, Schedule E](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/71966)
  - Official wording: "Exceed maximum number of dogs 501 $100.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42, 2011 (dogs) and Animal Control Bylaw No. 34-11, 1981 (cats and other animals)
  - Source: [Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42, title](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/8285)
  - Official wording: "“City of Kamloops Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42, 2011”"
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 34-11, s. 23](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/8206)
  - Official wording: "This bylaw may be cited for all purposes as "City of Kamloops Animal Control Bylaw No. 34-11, 1981.""
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Kamloops limits dogs under the [Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/8285) and cats under the [Animal Control Bylaw No. 34-11](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/8206).

- **Dogs:** no more than two over six months old on any parcel or in any dwelling unit. More than two needs a variance from Council.
- **Cats:** no more than two on any parcel.
- **Other animals:** rodents (rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas and others) have no stated number limit but must stay on your property in structures that meet zoning setbacks. Hens: 2 to 5, only on single- or two-family residential lots of 370 m2 to 1 acre. Farm animals: only on parcels of at least one acre, no more than two per acre.

## Steps to ask for a third dog

1. Go in person to the Community Services Office with one piece of government-issued ID.
2. Submit the variance application and pay the $350 non-refundable fee.
3. The City advises you of its decision after a review.

## Good to know

- The two-dog limit does not apply to a kennel, a hobby kennel (no more than five dogs, all licensed), a licensed veterinary clinic or a working cattle ranch or farm. Registered guide and personal assistance dogs are exempt with proof.
- The two-cat limit does not apply to kennel operators, registered cat breeders or working cattle ranches or farms.
- Exceeding the dog limit is a $100 ticket. No ticket amount is set for exceeding the cat limit; the Animal Control Bylaw sets a court fine of $25 to $2,000 for offences with no set penalty.
- Every dog over six months old must be licensed each year.

## What you'll need

- One piece of government-issued ID

## Official forms and pages

- [Pet Ownership, City of Kamloops](https://www.kamloops.ca/public-safety/community-services/animal-control/pet-ownership)
- [Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42 (PDF)](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/8285)
- [Animal Control Bylaw No. 34-11 (PDF)](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/8206)

## Related questions

- [Kamloops dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/dog-licence.md)
- [Kamloops backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/backyard-chickens.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog and cat limits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/how-many-pets.md)
- [Sun Peaks](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sun-peaks/how-many-pets.md)
- [Chase](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chase/how-many-pets.md)
- [Barriere](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/barriere/how-many-pets.md)
- [Logan Lake](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/logan-lake/how-many-pets.md)
- [Ashcroft](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ashcroft/how-many-pets.md)
- [Merritt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/how-many-pets.md)

## Sources

- [Pet Ownership, City of Kamloops](https://www.kamloops.ca/public-safety/community-services/animal-control/pet-ownership) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Dog Licences, City of Kamloops](https://www.kamloops.ca/public-safety/community-services/animal-control/dog-licences) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42 (PDF)](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/8285) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Control Bylaw No. 34-11 (PDF)](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/8206) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw, Schedule E (PDF)](https://kamloops.civicweb.net/document/71966) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Kamloops. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/how-many-pets/_