Dog licence fees are lower throughout Greater Victoria this month.
Every year, owners are supposed to register their dogs with their respective municipality. Combined, 2018 had 17,182 registered canine residents in Victoria, Oak Bay, Saanich and Esquimalt. Each municipality provides slightly discounted licensing fees for residents who register or renew earlier in 2019.
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Neutered or spayed dogs licensed in Victoria cost $30 each, while unaltered dogs are $40. Those prices increase by $20 after March 1.
Fees are slightly lower in Saanich. Fixed dogs are $25, while unaltered dogs are $35. Saanich residents have until the end of January before prices increase by $5.
Esquimalt charges $30 for fixed dogs, and $40 for those that are unaltered. A $20 late fee is applied beginning in February.
Oak Bay is the most expensive municipality in the CRD’s core. Fixed dogs are $39, and unfixed are $55. Beginning in February those costs go up to $55 and $60 respectively.
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Esquimalt registrations and renewals can be purchased at the municipal hall. Renewals can also be processed by mail.
Victoria, Oak Bay, and Saanich all offer online renewals, though Oak Bay and Saanich residents must initially register at their respective municipal halls. The City of Victoria also has a number stores where residents can sign up for the first time.
Dogs over the age of four months must be registered in each municipality. All municipalities provide fee exemptions to working animals, and some have further exemptions for younger dogs, or dogs who have been recently spayed or neutered.
Throughout the region, collected fees goes towards administering animal control services. Dogs with registration tags are also easier to locate.
Oak Bay’s website claims that “If your pet is lost anywhere in the world, the fastest way to be reunited with your dog is by this dog tag and the licence.”
Victoria’s website provides further details, stating that the collected fees also go towards public dog waste bags in city parks.
jesse.laufer@oakbaynews.com
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