How many dogs or cats you can keep in Prince George
How many dogs or cats can I keep?
Short answer
In Prince George you may keep no more than three dogs aged four months or older, or four if at least one is a foster dog placed by a humane society. The bylaw sets no limit on cats.
Key facts
| Dogs allowed | Three dogs aged four months or more per owner or property. Four if at least one is a foster dog placed by a humane society.Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw No. 8898, 2017, s. 4.1, 4.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingmore than three (3) Dogs aged four (4) months or more. up to four (4) Dogs if at least one Dog has been placed with that person as a Foster Animal. |
|---|---|
| Cats allowed | None set. Prince George's Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw sets no limit on cats.Read: Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw No. 8898, 2017 |
| Other animal limits | Livestock, which includes chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese, may be kept only where the Zoning Bylaw allows it.Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw No. 8898, 2017, s. 12.1; s. 2.1 "Livestock" · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person shall keep Livestock in any area of the City except where the keeping of Livestock is allowed under the Zoning Bylaw. Animal of the avian species including a chicken, turkey, duck, goose or pheasant |
| Exceptions | The three-dog limit does not apply to retail pet stores, vets, groomers, breeding businesses, temporary dog shows, or licensed animal boarding businesses. Up to four dogs if one is a foster dog.Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw No. 8898, 2017, s. 4.2, 4.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingSection 4.1 does not apply to premises lawfully used for a retail pet sales business nor to any person in possession of a valid license to operate an Animal boarding business within the City. up to four (4) Dogs if at least one Dog has been placed with that person as a Foster Animal. |
| Fine | $100 if paid within 30 days of the Bylaw Notice; $125 if paid later.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 8813, 2016 (consolidated), Schedule B, Schedule B, Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOwn, keep or harbor more than 3 dogs 4.1 $100 $125 Yes |
| Bylaw | Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw No. 8898, 2017 (s. 4); Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007 for livestock and poultryResponsible Animal Ownership Bylaw No. 8898, 2017, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCity of Prince George Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw No. 8898, 2017 |
How it works
Section 4 of the Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw No. 8898 limits dogs aged four months or more to three per owner or property. The bylaw sets no limit on cats.
Good to know
- Up to four dogs are allowed if at least one has been placed with you as a foster animal by a humane society.
- The three-dog limit does not apply to retail pet stores, veterinarians, groomers, breeding businesses, temporary dog shows, or licensed animal boarding businesses.
- Livestock, which the bylaw says includes chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese, may be kept only where the Zoning Bylaw allows it. See the backyard chickens answer.
- Every dog over four months old must be licensed; see the dog licence answer.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Vanderhoof · Quesnel · Fort St James · Mackenzie · Tumbler Ridge · McBride
Sources
- Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw No. 8898, 2017 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 8813, 2016 (consolidated), Schedule B (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Control, City of Prince George (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set. How answers are checked.