Animal Control and Wildlife
Animal Control and Wildlife
The City of Port Alberni has established rules and regulations to control pets and other animals within the City. These regulations have been established by Council through various policies and bylaws to provide for the enjoyment and protection of the community's general population. Enforcement of the animal control policies and regulations for the City has been contracted to the S.P.C.A. (Alberni-Clayoquot Branch) located at:
4936 Broughton St. Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 8R5
(250) 723-5269 Email: alberni@spca.bc.ca
Please see the information below regarding pets and other animals.
If you have a dog you should know:
- Any dog over the age of six months must have a valid license for the current calendar year. Your Dog License must be purchased at City Hall. See the Fees and Charges for Animal Control and Licensing to determine how much your license will cost.
- Dogs in public places, except in the off-leash park located on Beaver Creek Road, must be kept on a leash, chain or tether not exceeding 183 cm (6ft) in length and under the immediate care and control of a competent person.
- If you lose your dog's license tag a replacement license tag may be obtained upon satisfying the City that the original license tag has been lost or stolen and upon payment of the replacement license fee.
- If your animal defecates on a highway or public place, the person having care, custody, or control of the animal shall immediately remove the excrement and dispose of it in a sanitary manner.
Applying for a dog License:
You now have 3 options to apply for a dog license:
- Print the application form below and mail to: 4850 Argyle St. Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 1V8
Print the application form below and drop it off via our secure drop box located at the main entrance of City Hall
Apply online via the instructions below:
1. Fill out the application form and save to your home computer: 
Dog Tag Application Form.
2. Send an email with a copy of your application form attached to doglicences@portalberni.ca
3. You will receive a confirmation when your email is received, depending on your preference selected on your application form an invoice will be mailed or emailed to you for payment.
4. Pay for your dog licence using one of the following methods:
- By Visa or Mastercard Online via our secure online payment system https://online.portalberni.ca/WebApps/ecom/SelectPayableItem.aspx
- By Online Banking provided by your financial institution using the following instructions:
- Add Port Alberni as a Payee by searching the Payee Name "Port Alberni" please add the payee labelled "PORT ALBERNI (CITY)- DOG LICENSE
- By Cheque via our drop box mail slot at the main entrance of CIty Hall
- By Cheque Mailed to: 4850 Argyle St. Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 1V8
Questions or Concerns can be forwarded to our Accounts Receivable Clerk (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) at 250-720-2819
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If you have a cat you should know:
- You do not need a license for your cat, however, every owner of a cat shall affix, and keep affixed, sufficient identification on the cat by a collar, harness, tattoo, microchip or other suitable device such that a person finding the cat at large in the City can identify and contact the owner.
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If you are keeping chickens on your property you should know:
As part of City efforts to help you get involved in your own food production, you can now keep chickens in your backyard. There are several important rules you need to comply with in order to keep your backyard chicken coop from being a nuisance for your neighbours:
- The keeping of male poultry is prohibited, except on A.L.R. lands or on parcels greater than 2,000 m2 (21,528 sq ft) in area;
- The keeping of female poultry is prohibited on lots less than 350 m2 (3,767 sq ft) in area;
- The keeping of up to six (6) female poultry in enclosed runs is permitted on lots less than 2,000 m2 (21,528 sq ft) but more than 450 m2 (4,844 sq ft) in size. When the lot is less than 450 m2 (4,844 sq ft), no more than four (4) female poultry may be kept;
- Runs shall provide at least 0.8 m2 (8.5 sq ft) of space per bird and coops of at least 0.2 m2 (2 sq ft) of space per bird;
- A building or structure used for the keeping of poultry must not be located in the front yard, and must be located at least 3 m (10 ft) from any lot line;
- Note: These regulations do not apply to properties with farm status classification under the BC Assessment Act.
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If you are keeping bees on your property you should know:
Urban beekeeping is permitted in Single Family Residential areas and is an excellent way to improve pollination for plants in backyard, community, and public gardens, which leads to better vegetable production. With good management practices, beekeeping is completely safe in residential areas. If you are interested in keeping bees in your yard, there are two steps you need to follow:
- Review the City's beekeeping guidelines.
- Register your beehive with the Province of BC.
Step 1: Review the City’s beekeeping guidelines
Before you decide to keep bees, read and understand the City’s regulations that help keep beekeeping safe for residential areas, and explain your responsibilities as a beekeeper:
- The keeping of bees on lots less than 600 m2 (6,458 sq ft) in area is prohibited;
- The keeping of bees is permitted to a maximum of 2 hives of bees on lots between 600 m2 and 929 m2 (10,000 sq ft) in area, and a maximum of 4 hives of bees on lots over 929 m2 (10,000 sq ft) in area;
- Beehives are restricted to rear yards;
- A beehive will be located a minimum of 7.5 m (25 feet) away from the neighbouring property line;
- The beehive entrance will be directed away from the neighbouring property and situated behind a solid fence or hedge that is 1.8 m (6 feet) in height running parallel to the property line;
- All persons wishing to keep bees must be registered with the BC Ministry of Agriculture, and abide by the beekeeping regulations as specified in the provincial Bee Act and other related legislation.
- Note: These regulations do not apply to properties with farm status classification under the BC Assessment Act.
Step 2: Register your beehive with the Province of BC
Once you set up your beehives, you must register them with the Province of BC:
Register your beehives with the Province
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Wildlife:
Port Alberni is home to bears and other urban wildlife. As the City's population and urban areas grow, habitat and natural food sources available for wildlife diminish. This is why we find these animals in our neighbourhoods, seeking out garbage for food and our backyards for shelter. This makes it an ideal location to live, not only for us, but for many types of wildlife including: deer, raccoons, cougars, and squirrels.
These animals are part of our environment, but can become pests and unwanted visitors if we attract them to public and private property. It is important that we avoid inviting wildlife to our properties by removing attractants and limiting access to areas that wildlife may use as a den such as under or in sheds or wood piles. Garbage is not healthy for bears and wildlife. When bears learn that garbage means food, they return to it again and again. To reduce bears and urban wildlife coming into the neighbourhood, remove attractants from your backyard that could provide food and shelter for these animals
- Keep garbage out of reach
- Use animal resistant Garbage Cans
- Don't plant fruit-bearing trees and shrubs
- Remove bird feeders
- Compost responsibly
- Remove attractants from your backyard
Report any sightings:
If you encounter threatening wildlife that is aggressive, breaking into buildings or causing property damage, please call the Conservation Officer Service / RAPP hotline at 1-877-952-7277
Deer: only if critically injured or trapped (animal must be immobile / contained)
Cougars / Bears / Wolves: if sighted in urban area or threat to public safety
Call North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre if a small wild animal is Sick, Injured, Orphaned, or Trapped.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Animal Abuse / Neglect ► S.P.C.A. Cruelty Hotline: 1 (855) 622-7722