How Many Dogs or Cats Can You Have in British Columbia?

The number of dogs or cats you can legally own in British Columbia depends on your city's animal bylaw. That's because there is no province-wide law in BC regulating the number of pets each household can have. Instead, each municipality is tasked with creating its own rules. In most British Columbia cities, households are limited to three dogs and four cats. To determine how many dogs or cats you can legally own, check your city's animal bylaw or contact your local animal control. Below are some British Columbia municipalities and their pet limit laws.

Vancouver, BC

In Vancouver, BC, each household is limited to three dogs, according to Vancouver's Animal Control By-Law NO. 9150. If you are a cat person, you can have up to six cats in Vancouver. All dogs over three months of age in the city are required to have an annual license. The bylaw requires you, as a dog owner, to ensure that your canine at all times wears a collar to which a license tag is attached. In addition, you should not permit your dog to be on a street or other public place unless the dog is under your immediate control by means of a leash not more than 2.5 m long.

Surrey, BC

The maximum number of dogs you can own in Surrey, BC, is three. According to the City's website, you need to obtain a hobby kennel license to own more than three dogs in Surrey. All dogs over three months of age in Surrey are required to have a current license and always wear their license on a collar around their neck. There is no limit on the number of cats you can own in Surrey, although all cats over six months of age are required by law to wear an identification. In addition, all cats over six months of age in Surrey are required to be sterilized. The keeping of an unsterilized cat in the city requires a cat breeding permit.

Burnaby, BC

No more than three dogs over the age of four months are allowed per household in Burnaby, British Columbia. Cat people in the city are limited to four cats over the age of four months. The city's bylaw prohibits dog owners from allowing their dogs to disturb the quiet, peace, or comfort of the surrounding neighborhood, or of persons residing in the vicinity, by barking. There is also a "vicious dog" law in Burnaby. By the city's definition, a vicious dog is a dog that has bitten or caused injury to a human being or to a domestic animal without provocation.

Abbotsford, BC

In Abbotsford, BC, each household is limited to five pets, including not more than 3 dogs or 3 cats. For example, you can have 3 dogs and 2 cats or 3 cats and 2 dogs. All dogs over 4 months of age residing in Abbotsford are required to be licensed. In addition, all dogs in Abbotsford are required to be leashed at all times unless in a designated off-leash area. The leash is required to be 3 meters long and be in the immediate control of a competent person. Furthermore, all dog owners in Abbotsford are required to pick up, and properly dispose of their canines' solid waste from private and public spaces, according to the City's Good Neighbor Guide.

Nanaimo, BC

Cat owners in Nanaimo, BC, are limited to 5 cats over the age of 12 weeks. Dog owners, on the other hand, are limited to 4 dogs over the age of 16 weeks. It is mandatory for every dog over 4 months of age in Nanaimo to have an annual license and to wear the license tag on their collar. Nanaimo has a leash law, requiring all dogs to be at all times leashed and under the control of a competent person when in public, except in designated off-leash areas. All cats over the age of 6 months in Nanaimo are required to be spayed or neutered. Additionally, cats are required to have sufficient identification (i.e. a tag with the owner’s valid contact info, traceable tattoo, or microchip), according to the city's Animal Responsibility Bylaw.

Kelowna, BC

Each house/property in Kelowna, BC, is restricted to a maximum of 3 dogs over the age of 3 months. All dogs over 3 months of age residing in the city for more than 30 days are required to be licensed. Unless in a designated off-leash area, dogs are required to always be on a leash not exceeding 2 meters in length. As a dog owner in Kelowna, you're required to pick up, and properly dispose of your canine’s waste from private and public spaces. In addition, you're required by law to ensure that your dog does not bark or howl uncontrollably or excessively. There is currently no restriction on the number of cats you can have in Kelowna.

Victoria, BC

In the City of Victoria, BC, each household is limited to 6 cats or 6 dogs. For example, you can have 6 cats or 6 dogs or any combination of cats and dogs not exceeding 6 in total. However, households in the municipalities of Oak Bay and Esquimalt are limited to 5 cats, according to the city's bylaw. Victoria has a leash law that requires all dogs to be firmly held on a leash in all public places unless there is signage to the contrary. All dog owners in Victoria are required to ensure their dog does not cause a noise disturbance at any time.

Kamloops, BC

Without a permit, you're limited to two dogs and two cats in Kamloops, British Columbia. If you have more than two dogs or two cats, you need to apply to the Council for a variance. You're required to pay a non-refundable application fee of $350 for the variance. The variance, if approved, applies only to the specific dogs listed in the application and no dog over the two-dog limit may be replaced in the future, according to Kamloops' website. There is a $100 fine for failure to clean after your dog in Kamloops.

Coquitlam, BC

If you reside in Coquitlam, BC, you're limited to 3 pets per property. This means you can have three dogs or three cats or any combination of both animals not exceeding a total of three. All dogs over six months of age residing in Coquitlam are required to have a license, which can be purchased online or in person at Coquitlam Animal Shelter.