Sooke dog licences: fees and how to get one

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

Sooke, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Sooke, every dog over four months old needs a licence each year, bought through the Capital Regional District (CRD) Animal Care Services. Under the District's fee bylaw it costs for a spayed or neutered dog and for one that is not. The CRD page lists higher fees.

Key facts

Licence required	Yes. Every owner of a dog (a dog apparently over four months old) must get a licence for the current year, on or before March 31. A dog kept in Sooke for less than one month in a year, and already licensed elsewhere, is exempt.Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw No. 392, s. 10, s. 2(j), s. 22; Licensing Dogs, Capital Regional District, CRD page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Every owner of a dog in the District shall obtain a licence for the current year for that dog under this Bylaw on or before March 31st in the calendar year. “Dog” means a dog apparently over the age of four months; Section 10 does not apply to a dog that is kept in the District for less than one month in a calendar year Licences are mandatory for all dogs four months or older in the Capital Regional District (CRD).
Issued by	Capital Regional District (CRD) Animal Care Services, which provides dog licensing for Sooke under contract. The bylaw itself says the District's Animal Control Officer issues the licence.Licensing Dogs, Capital Regional District, CRD page; Noise Regulations \| District of Sooke, Animal and birds; Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw No. 392, s. 11 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording CRD Animal Care Services provides dog licencing for Langford, Colwood, Sooke, Metchosin, In Sooke, animal control and enforcement services are provided through a contract with the Capital Regional District (CRD) Animal Care Services. the Animal Control Officer shall issue a numbered dog licence and corresponding licence tag to the applicant.
Fee, spayed or neutered	Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 752 lists $20 (regular discounted fee, before March 1 only), $25 (regular fee) and $35 (late fee); the headings for the last two both say 'March 1st only', so dates are unclear. The CRD page lists $35, $40 and $60. Free if neutered or spayed in the past 12 months (vet certificate).Sources differ: Conflict: the CRD Licensing page (fees 'in effect as of June 11, 2025') lists spayed/neutered at $35 early, $40 regular, $60 late. The District's Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 752 (consolidated Oct. 15, 2026) sets the lower amounts. Fees follow the bylaw; ask CRD which it charges. The schedule's column headings are worded 'Regular Discounted Fee (Before March 1st only)', 'Regular Fee (March 1st only)', 'Late Fee (March 1st only)'. All fees subject to applicable taxes. Also see s. 12: the free licence was not in the CRD page.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 752, Schedule 2; Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw No. 392, s. 12 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Neutered/Spayed Dog $20.00 $25.00 $35.00 (Before March 1st only) the owner of a dog may obtain a dog licence under this Bylaw free of charge upon providing to the Animal Control Officer the licence application and a certificate from a qualified veterinarian that the dog has been neutered or spayed during the 12-month period immediately preceding the application
Fee, not spayed or neutered	Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 752 lists $40 (regular discounted fee, before March 1 only), $45 (regular fee) and $55 (late fee); the headings for the last two both say 'March 1st only', so dates are unclear. The CRD page lists $55, $60 and $80.Sources differ: Conflict: the CRD Licensing page lists not spayed/neutered at $55 early, $60 regular, $80 late. Bylaw No. 752 sets the lower amounts. Fees subject to applicable taxes.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 752, Schedule 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Unneutered/Unspayed Dog $40.00 $45.00 $55.00 (Before March 1st only)
Other fees and discounts	Free licence for a police dog or guide dog, and for a new owner replacing a licence on change of ownership (within 7 days) or a dog licensed in another jurisdiction when moving to Sooke. Replacement tag $5. Dangerous dog licence $95 / $100 / $110. Kennel licences: breeding kennel $75 (four or fewer dogs) or $150 (five or more); boarding kennel $200. Unlicensed dog impounded: $50 penalty. No senior discount is stated.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 752, Schedule 2; Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw No. 392, ss. 13, 17, 18 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Replacement Licence Tag n/a $5.00 n/a Dangerous Dog $95.00 $100.00 $110.00 Breeding kennel having four or less dogs $75.00 Boarding kennel $200.00 Penalty for unlicenced dogs $50.00 the owner of a police dog or guide dog, may obtain a dog licence under this Bylaw free of charge the new owner of the dog shall obtain a new licence for the dog free of charge upon providing to the Animal Control Officer the licence application and the old licence and
Renewal	A licence is for the calendar year and expires December 31. The bylaw requires the licence to be obtained on or before March 31 each year. The CRD says renew once a year; permanent-tag holders renew the existing tag.Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw No. 392, ss. 10, 14; Licensing Dogs, Capital Regional District, CRD page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Every dog licence and corresponding licence tag issued under this Bylaw shall be for the current calendar year and shall expire on the 31st day of Your dog's licence is valid for the calendar year, from January 1 to December 31. You must renew your licence once a year.
How to get one	Through CRD Animal Care Services: fill in the CRD dog licence application form online, then pay with the account number the CRD emails (online banking); or phone 250.478.0624, email animalservices@crd.bc.ca, or visit 212-2780 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Langford. New or replacement tags can also be bought at Wiskers and Waggs Pet Store, 6703 West Coast Rd, Sooke.Licensing Dogs, Capital Regional District, CRD page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording By phone (250.478.0624 or 1.800.665.7899 extension 0) with a credit card By email at animalservices@crd.bc.ca At the CRD Animal Care office, 212-2780 Veterans Memorial Parkway Wiskers and Waggs Pet Store: 6703 West Coast Rd, Sooke Once staff set up your account, they will email you back with your dog licence account number instructions for how to pay online.
Fine, unlicensed dog	$100 (municipal ticket, 'No dog licence', s. 10). An unlicensed dog may also be impounded, with a $50 penalty on redemption.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 836, Schedule B1; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 752, Schedule 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 10 No dog licence $100.00 Penalty for unlicenced dogs $50.00
Bylaw	Bylaw No. 392, Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw, 2009; fees in the Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 752Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw No. 392, title; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 752, Schedule 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Bylaw No. 392, Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw, 2009 District of Sooke Bylaw No. 752

How it works

The District's Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw No. 392 requires every owner of a dog (one apparently over four months old) to hold a licence for the current year. The CRD provides dog licensing for Sooke under contract, although the bylaw itself says the District's Animal Control Officer issues the licence. A dog kept in Sooke for less than one month in a year, and already licensed elsewhere, is exempt.

Steps

Fill in the CRD dog licence application form online.
Pay using the account number the CRD emails you (online banking).
Or phone 250-478-0624, email animalservices@crd.bc.ca, or visit 212-2780 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Langford.
New or replacement tags can also be bought at Wiskers and Waggs Pet Store, 6703 West Coast Rd, Sooke.
To renew a permanent tag, renew the existing tag once a year.

Good to know

The District's Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 752 lists three fee amounts per dog: $20, $25 and $35 for a spayed or neutered dog, and $40, $45 and $55 for one that is not. The column headings read "before March 1st only", "March 1st only" and "March 1st only", so the dates are unclear.
The CRD page lists $35, $40 and $60 (spayed or neutered) and $55, $60 and $80 (not). The bylaw amounts are lower, so confirm with the CRD what you will be charged.
A licence is free if the dog was neutered or spayed in the past 12 months (veterinarian's certificate), for a police dog or guide dog, and for a new owner replacing a licence within 7 days or a dog licensed elsewhere when you move to Sooke.
Dangerous dog licence: $95, $100 and $110. No senior discount is stated.
An unlicensed dog can bring a $100 municipal ticket. It may also be impounded, with a $50 penalty.

What you'll need

Veterinarian's certificate, for the spayed or neutered fee or the free first-year licence

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Metchosin · Langford · Colwood · Highlands · View Royal · Esquimalt

Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw No. 392 (PDF), District of Sooke (read 2026-11-06)
Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 752 (PDF), District of Sooke (read 2026-11-06)
Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 836 (PDF), District of Sooke (read 2026-11-06)
Licensing Dogs, Capital Regional District (read 2026-11-06)
Noise Regulations | District of Sooke (read 2026-11-06)

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.