It's Dog Tag Time Again

Historic system receives charming new twist

It's dog registration time again, and with the new year's discount about to evaporate at the end of the week, the fine folks at the Village Office have a little surprise in store for local dog owners.

The long tradition of picking up a brand new tag to add to the jingling collection on your coastal canine's collar every January has come to an end. Instead of the usual tin tag, Village staff will hand you a tiny bone-shaped beauty, stamped with the tri-colour Lions Bay flag.

The new tags are permanent record of your dog's registration number, and according to Administrative Assistant Shawna Driscoll, the dog will keep this tag for its lifetime.

If the dog (or you) lose the tag, a replacement can be purchased at the Village Office for $10. 

This means instead of being issued with a new number every year, all residents who have received the new permanent tags will be sent out a reminder invoice when it's time to pay the renewal fee.

Staff are hoping that by next year, online payments for this and other services will be available. But for now, you'll still need to drop into the Village Office on Centre Road to fill out the paperwork.

Fees remain the same. Until Friday February 28, the cost for a spayed or neutered dog is $30, which goes up to $60 for unaltered dogs. Beginning March 1 and until the end of the year, the fee goes up to $45 for altered dogs and $90 for unaltered dogs.

Driscoll reminds residents that dog-owners who are new to the Village must apply for a license within 30 days of moving in. The same time limit applies to anyone who acquires a new dog, and that fee needs to be renewed each year thereafter. Failure to purchase a license may result in an $85 fine, and forgetting to wear the tag may result in a $40 fine.

Since the yearly application form is no longer required, residents need to call staff with any changes to their contact information.

More information about the dog ownership and licensing bylaw can be found HERE.

Fashionista Fernie sports her fetching new dog tag. Photo by Shawna Driscoll.

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