Animal Control

If you have an animal control complaint, please call City Hall at 250-334-4441, email bylaw@courtenay,ca or use our Service Request Form

Animals impounded in the City of Courtenay are currently taken to and cared for by the BC SPCA Comox Valley & District Branch.

Upcoming SPCA Service Change

In May 2024, the SPCA advised local governments in the Comox Valley that it will be reducing its contracted services and will change its focus to supporting animals displaced by emergency circumstances provincially in the Comox Valley. All services remain available to the local governments and the public until January 2025, at which time some services will be delivered by each respective municipality.

This will have the following service impacts:

  • Strays that are listed in the respective bylaws, whether by bylaw officers or the public will no longer be accepted at the SPCA
  • The SPCA will no longer be selling dog licences or charging impound fees
  • The SPCA will no longer be holding any dangerous dogs that are awaiting court dates

The City, in collaboration with affected local governments, is exploring kenneling options and dog licence sales opportunities.

The SPCA will continue to accept resident animal surrenders and will continue their work in keeping animals safe through animal cruelty seizures.

As of January 1, 2025, the only SPCA services available in the Comox Valley will be donor-funded programs including: accepting non-bylaw strays (when space is available), owner surrenders, emergency boarding, the pet food bank, spay and neuter programs, foster programs, adoptions, humane education, and; maintaining a database of Animal Kind dog trainers. 

 

Overview of Animal Control

Only domestic dogs and cats are allowed outdoors as pets, with a maximum of three dogs over the age of six months living on any parcel of land at one time.

Livestock is not permitted, except on properties zoned for agricultural use.

Wild or exotic animals are not permitted.

 

Dog Licencing

All dogs over six months old living in the City of Courtenay need to have a dog licence.

For information on dog licencing, visit:

 

Animal Control Bylaw

Learn more about animal control in the City of Courtenay:

Animal Control Bylaw No. 1897 [PDF - 52 KB]

 

Enforcement & Fines

Fines for various offences under the Animal Control Bylaw are outlined in the Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw:

Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2435 [PDF - 215 KB]