Tri City News

PoCo pooch pals will pony up more for licences

By Janis Warren The Tri-City News
Dec 27 2006

Port Coquitlam pooch owners better have some Christmas cash left over for the new year.

Licence fees for neutered or spayed dogs will cost $32 in 2007 - a $4 jump over this year's rate. And for owners with canines that haven't been fixed, the city's charging a whopping $80 - an increase of $10 over this year. Owners who fail to pay before the March 1 deadline will be penalized a further $15.

PoCo fees are the highest in the Tri-Cities and among the heftiest in the Lower Mainland; for example, Burnaby's licence fee is $15 for neutered/spayed dogs and $40 for non-neutered/non-spayed dogs while, in Surrey, the rate is $15 and $35 respectively and in Maple Ridge, the price is $25 and $52 respectively.

Dan Scoones, PoCo's manager of bylaw and licensing services, said the large bills are aimed at encouraging PoCo residents to get their dogs fixed to prevent unwanted pets.

"The SPCA is very much in favour of that," he said.

PoCo's incremental licence hikes over the past few years will mean dog owners will be paying for 80% of the cost for the SPCA, which the city contracts for animal care and control, by the end of 2007.

Meanwhile, Coquitlam's 2007 dog licences are the same as this year: $22 for fixed dogs and $40 for unneutered/unspayed dogs (owners are asked to pay the bill before Jan. 1; a $15 late charge will be levied on licences applied after April 1).

In Port Moody, the annual fee for neutered/spayed canines goes up $1 to $23, while the price for unneutered/unspayed dogs will rise from $40 to $42.

Both Coquitlam and Port Moody contract the Coquitlam Animal Shelter for animal care and control.

In the villages, Anmore residents don't face any increases next year for their dog licences: $25 for a neutered/spayed dog and $35 for a non-neutered/non-spayed animal. There are no dog licence fees in Belcarra.