You have until Wednesday, February 28th to either renew or purchase a 2018 license for your dog in order to save $20 from the regular license fees. Until the end of February you’ll pay $20 for a dog that’s spayed or neutered and $60 if not. Starting March 1st, licenses return to the regular annual rate of $40 and $80.
Owners may renew in person at the RDCO office in Kelowna, the Regional Dog Pound (890 Weddell Place), at any local government office or the Kelowna branch of the SPCA. North Westside residents can purchase a license at the main firehall (514 Udell Road) in Killiney Beach.
And if you're just renewing you can use the My Dog Matters app. Communications Officer for the Regional District of Central Okanagan, Bruce Smith says, "You can do it right from your phone so we encourage dog owners who've licensed to download the My Dog Matters app." "It's available at mydogmatters.ca/mdmapp."
Renewing a license through the App saves the cost of mailing renewal notices. Owners will also directly receive dog-related messaging and licensing reminders and their digital ‘My Dog Matters’ Rewards card. Showing it at more than 60 participating businesses provides an owner with special discounts and services as well as the ability to easily check retailer’s offers.
For owners who feel like they're dog will never get free so "why should I get a license?" Smith says, "If we had 20 dollars for every time we heard that we'd all be rich." "That's why those dogs end up in the pound so a license is a good method of insurance...if your dog does get away, and they do, and ends up in the pound, we can get it back to you as quickly as possible."
In the event a licensed dog is found Smith says the first return to an owner will be free of charge.
In 2017, almost 23,000 dogs were licensed in the Central Okanagan. The Regional District continues to urge all dog owners to have a valid dog license as there is zero tolerance for unlicensed dogs and a hefty fine($300) by not having one.