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 licence for the current calendar year.  Your dog licence must be purchased at City Hall. See the Fees and Charges  for Animal Control and Licencing to determine how much your licence 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 licence tag a replacement tag may be obtained for a fee.

 Applying for a dog Licence:

There are two steps to complete your dog licence: 

1. Complete the following Dog Licence Application (fillable PDF file), save the completed PDF file to your computer, then email file as attachments to the City of Port Alberni Public Safety Building at: doglicences@portalberni.ca 
   Dog Licence Application Form (fillable PDF form) 
2. Pay for your dog licence in-person at the Public Safety Building - 3075 3rd Avenue), at City Hall or online at portalberni.ca

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If you have a cat you should know:

• You do not need a licence 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:

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:

1. Review the City's beekeeping guidelines.
2. 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

Alberni Valley Bear Smart

• 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   

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Frequently Asked Questions:
 

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