---
title: How many dogs or cats you can keep in Vanderhoof
question: "How many dogs or cats can I keep in Vanderhoof?"
place: Vanderhoof, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/vanderhoof
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Vanderhoof
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/how-many-pets/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/how-many-pets.json"
---

# How many dogs or cats you can keep in Vanderhoof

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

**Short answer:** In Vanderhoof, no one may own more than three dogs or more than three cats at one time. Animals six months old or younger are not counted. To keep more, you need a $200 kennel licence.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Vanderhoof, https://vanderhoof.ca)  
**Cost:** Kennel licence $200. Bylaw notice for more than 3 dogs or more than 3 cats: $250.  
**How long:** Not applicable.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Municipal Office, 250-567-4711

## Key facts

- **Dogs allowed:** No person may own more than three dogs at any one time (a dog is an animal of the canine species over six months old).
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1183, 2018, Part 3 s. 5](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/69335/)
  - Official wording: "No person shall own more than three (3) dogs at any one time." … "means a male or female domesticated animal of the canine species over the age of six (6) months"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Cats allowed:** No person may own more than three cats at any one time (a cat is over six months old).
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1183, 2018, Part 3 s. 6](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/69335/)
  - Official wording: "No person shall own more than three (3) cats at any one time."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Other animal limits:** Part 3 s. 7 also limits a person to three cats or dogs, or a maximum of five cats and dogs (the wording is unclear). Farm animals, including hens, have separate rules.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1183, 2018, Part 3 s. 7](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/69335/)
  - Official wording: "a more than three (3) cats or dogs, or a maximum of five (5) cats and dogs"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Exceptions:** Puppies and kittens six months old or younger are not counted: a dog or cat is an animal over six months old. To keep more than the limits, apply for a kennel licence ($200). It does not replace a business licence, and a new kennel must follow the Zoning Bylaw.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1183, 2018, Part 3 s. 8; Part 6 s. 2-4; Schedule A](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/69335/)
  - Official wording: "If a person wishes to have over the prescribed limits for cats and dogs, they must apply to the Municipality for a kennel license." … "A kennel license is not a substitute for a business license." … "Kennel License $200.00" … "“Dog” means a male or female domesticated animal of the canine species over the age of six (6) months;" … "“Cat” means a male or female domesticated animal of the feline species over the age of six (6)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: more than 3 dogs $250 ($190 if paid within 14 days; $375 after 30 days). More than 3 cats: $250 ($190; $375).
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1288, 2025, Schedule A, A.1 Animal Control Bylaw, s. 3.5, 3.6](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/94033/)
  - Official wording: "More than 3 dogs 250 190 375" … "More than 3 cats 250 190 375"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** District of Vanderhoof Animal Control Bylaw No. 1183, 2018
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1183, 2018, s. 1 (Citation)](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/69335/)
  - Official wording: "District of Vanderhoof Animal Control Bylaw No. 1183, 2018"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1183, 2018](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/69335/) says no person may own more than three dogs at one time, and no more than three cats at one time. A dog or cat is an animal over six months old, so younger puppies and kittens are not counted.

## Steps

1. To keep more than the limit, apply for a kennel licence ($200) at the Municipal Office, 160 Connaught Street, or call 250-567-4711.
2. A new kennel must also follow the Zoning Bylaw. The kennel licence does not replace a business licence.

## Good to know

- Another section of the bylaw also limits a person to three cats or dogs, or a maximum of five cats and dogs, and the wording is unclear. Ask the District which applies to you.
- Farm animals, including hens, have separate rules. See the chickens and livestock answer.
- Bylaw notice for more than 3 dogs: $250 ($190 if paid within 14 days; $375 after 30 days). More than 3 cats: the same amounts.

## Official forms and pages

- [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1183, 2018 (PDF)](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/69335/)

## Related questions

- [Vanderhoof dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/dog-licence.md)
- [Vanderhoof dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Vanderhoof backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Vanderhoof bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog and cat limits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/how-many-pets.md)
- [Fort St James](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-james/how-many-pets.md)
- [Prince George](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/how-many-pets.md)
- [Mackenzie](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/how-many-pets.md)
- [Quesnel](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/quesnel/how-many-pets.md)
- [Houston](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/houston/how-many-pets.md)
- [Granisle](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/granisle/how-many-pets.md)

## Sources

- [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1183, 2018 (PDF), District of Vanderhoof](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/69335/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1288, 2025 (PDF), District of Vanderhoof](https://vanderhoof.civicweb.net/document/94033/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Contact, District of Vanderhoof](https://vanderhoof.ca/municipal-hall/contact/) (read 2026-11-08)

_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 District of Vanderhoof. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/how-many-pets/_