The City of Maple Ridge encourages responsible dog ownership through our Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw.
The City’s Animal Control and Licensing services are provided by the Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety department and are dedicated to maintaining community safety and ensuring the welfare of animals. We offer a wide range of services including dog licensing, managing dogs at large, investigating dog bites and attacks, and referring cases of animal cruelty to the BC SPCA's Provincial Cruelty section. These efforts are designed to promote responsible pet ownership and address issues affecting both residents and animals.
The first step of responsible dog ownership is licensing your dog. A dog licence helps you reunite with your dog if they are lost anywhere in the world. Dog licence fees not only support the return of pets to their owners, they assist in the adoption of homeless pets every year. Fees also pay for education and enforcement of our Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw, as well as the cost for operating the local animal shelter.
For concerns regarding animals running at large, dog attacks including bites, unlicensed dogs, barking dogs, dead animals on roadway or for assistance with any stray animals, contact the Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety department at 604-467-7305 or online at mapleridge.ca/report.
To report a dead animal on public property please contact our Operations division at 604-463-9581 or by email at OperationsCentre@MapleRidge.ca Dead animals on private property are the responsibility of the property owner.
To report animal cruelty and animal welfare issues, contact the BC SPCA’s Animal Helpline at 1-855-622-7722.
The Maple Ridge SPCA Shelter is located at 10235 Jackson Road. The Maple Ridge SPCA Shelter provides compassionate, professional animal care for our community, working in partnership with the City’s Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety team. The Shelter accepts lost and stray animals, cares for those impounded under municipal bylaws, and reunites pets with their guardians through licensing, microchip and ID checks. Animals not claimed receive health assessments, vaccinations and behaviour support prior to adoption, with foster and volunteer programs helping each pet transition successfully to a new home. The Shelter also offers humane education, pet-care resources and referrals, and supports emergency animal services during local incidents. By promoting responsible pet ownership and enforcing applicable bylaws, the Maple Ridge SPCA Shelter helps keep animals, families and neighbourhoods safe and well.
MR SPCA Shelter hours of operation:
Monday to Sunday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Adoptions: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Closed Statutory Holidays
Discover more about the Maple Ridge SPCA Shelter by visiting their website.
Annual Licensing and Renewal Fees
| Dog Information | Fee (January) | Fee (February–December) |
|---|---|---|
| Unaltered | $52.00 | $68.00 |
| Unaltered (Senior Owner Discount) | $26.00 | $34.00 |
| Altered | $25.00 | $41.00 |
| Altered (Senior Owner Discount) | $12.50 | $20.50 |
| Aggressive | $200.00 | $270.00 |
| Once fees have been paid, a dog licence is valid from January to December |
How to Apply for a New Dog Licence
All dogs over four (4) months of age must be licensed every year with the City of Maple Ridge.
To apply for a dog licence, download our dog licence application form. Unfortunately at this time, applications can not be submitted online. Once your application is complete, please email it to the Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department at Dogs@MapleRidge.ca or fax it to us at 604-467-7445. Once your application has been entered into our system, we can email you your new account number so you may pay the fees online. Please note that your dog(s) are not considered licenced until all fees have been paid in full and is valid until December 31.
The cost of licensing your dog depends on whether or not it is spayed or neutered. If you are applying for the "Spayed or Neutered" discount you will need to provide a document of verification from your veterinarian. A discount is available if paid by January 31. For more information on fees and charges, review Schedule A of our Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 6908-2012.
How to Renew Your Dog's Licence
Dog Licence fees must be paid every year; the City will mail out a dog licence renewal notice in December each year. You may pay your annual dog licence online using your Account Number and Access Code from your notice. You will be able to pay using your Visa, or MasterCard. Please note that your dog(s) are not considered licenced until all fees have been paid in full, every renewal cycle.
You can also make a renewal payment over the phone by calling our Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety office at 604-467-7305, press 3. Or you can make your payment in person at City Hall.
If your contact information has changed, you've moved out of Maple Ridge or you no longer have your dog, please notify our office so that we may update or inactivate your dog licence account.
Permanent Dog Tags
The city issues permanent dog tags. Which means that the tag number issued to your dog remains the same for the lifetime of that dog. Please do not discard the dog licence renewal notice that is mailed out to you each renewal cycle as annual licensing fees still apply, and your dog(s) will not be considered licenced until the annual fee has been paid in full.
If the dog tag has been lost, it can be replaced for a $5.00 fee.
Maple Ridge Dog Data
Curious about how many dogs are currently registered in Maple Ridge or what the top dog breeds are or the most popular dog names? Check out our dog data page.
