Animal Control and Dog Licenses

Updated on December 10, 2025

Animal Control and Dog Licenses

Animal control enforcement regulates dogs only, view the Animal Control bylaws for your area here.

Aggressive Dogs

If you encounter or have a concern about an aggressive dog in the RDN, please contact our animal control contractor Coastal Animal Control Services of BC at 1-888-754-1397 or cacs [at] telus.net (cacs[at]telus[dot]net).

Dogs at Large

A dog at large (not under control) means that the dog is elsewhere than on lands or premises of the owner and not being under the immediate charge and control of a responsible person.

In a RDN park where dogs are permitted to be off leash, the dog must be under control. The person having custody of the dog has a clear line of sight to the dog at all times and is able to bring the dog to heel by calling.

Please note some RDN parks do not allow dogs, require dogs to be on leash or may have sections of the park where the dog must be on leash. There is posted signage at the applicable parks. Some of the parks that require dogs to be on leash are Moorecroft, Horne Lake and Descanso Bay Regional Parks.

Barking Dogs

Dog Licenses

Benefits of dog licensing:

  • Quick reunions: A dog license helps Coastal Animal Control return lost dogs to their owners faster.
  • Proof of ownership: Your license serves as official identification for your pet.
  • Avoid shelter stays: If your dog’s home is known, they may not need to be taken to the shelter, saving you impound fees and stress on your pet.
  • Support community services: Licensing helps fund animal control and shelter operations, including caring for stray and abandoned dogs, park patrols, and investigations.

Residents in the Electoral Areas E, G and H that own a dog(s) over six months old must obtain an annual dog license per Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 939. 

  • Electoral Area E (Nanoose)
  • Electoral Area G (Englishman River, San Pareil, French Creek, Little Qualicum, Dashwood)
  • Electoral Area H (Bowser, Qualicum Bay, Deep Bay)

Dog licenses are not required in electoral areas A, B, C or F, but may be purchase voluntarily.

License fees are as follows: 

  • For each spayed or neutered dog - $15
  • For each unspayed or unneutered dog - $25

The above fees are subject to a discount fee of $5 if paid within the last and first month of the year, between December 1, 2025, and January 31, 2026. 

Licenses can be purchased or renewed at:

  • Salish Sea Market, 110-6996 W Island Hwy, Bowser 
  • Oceanside Place Arena, 830 West Island Hwy, Parksville
  • Coastal Animal Control Services, 2202 Herd Road, Duncan
  • RDN Administration Building, 6300 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo
    • To purchase a license by credit card (subject to 2.5% transaction fee) over the phone, contact the RDN Finance Department at 1-877-607-4111. 

2026 Win-ter Dog License Photo Contest

Show us a win-ter photo of your furry friend for a chance to win one of two FREE 2026 dog licenses and a bundle of tasty local treats!

How to Enter: Share a festive photo of your pup with their name in the comments of any of our contest posts on our Facebook or Instagram page. You will also get an extra entry if you share our social media post. Not on social media? Send us a photo with your pup’s name via email to bylawservices [at] rdn.bc.ca (bylawservices[at]rdn[dot]bc[dot]ca).  

Who Can Participate: All dog owners from RDN Electoral Areas. Renew now—if you win and have already paid, we’ll refund your fee!

Get your photo in by January 31, 2026. Winners will be announced and contacted in early February!

Animal Welfare

For animal welfare or abuse concerns, contact the SPCA at 1-855-622-7722.