Image Credit: Contributed

More than 21,000 Central Okanagan dog owners will be receiving their annual renewal notice in the mail and are encouraged to ‘Don’t Forget My License’.

As this is a leap year, owners have an extra day (until Monday, February 29th) to renew their dog license for 2016. Starting March 1st, all renewals are subject to an additional $20 late charge and owners could be faced with a $300 fine for not having a valid license.

“It’s easier than ever to keep a dog license current. We encourage dog owners to go online anytime and safely and securely pay for their 2016 license. Just look for the account number and access code on the renewal notice, log in and complete the payment transaction," communications officer Bruce Smith says.

“If they’d rather renew in person, all they have to do is take the renewal notice to the Regional District’s office at 1450 KLO Rd., the Regional Dog Pound at 890 Weddell Pl., any local government office or the Kelowna branch of the SPCA.”

“There are many benefits for licensing a dog,” Smith says. “$20 for a dog that’s spayed or neutered, $60 if it isn’t, provides dog owners with a variety of benefits.”

Here are the top 10 Reasons to license your dog:

1.  Public safety — provides service to our community 24/7, including investigation of dog attacks and protection from dangerous dogs.

2.  License fees contribute to the operation of the Dog Pound so that food, shelter and veterinary care can be provided for lost and homeless dogs 365 days a year.

3.  License fees supports the Central Okanagan SPCA spay and neuter program, public education initiatives and dog adoption services.

4.  It is easy to reunite a dog if it gets away—contact information is on file, and a dog will spend less time at the Pound.

5.  It provides a one-time free ride home, just in case a dog does get out.

6.  An owner saves ($20 late renewal fee) if a license is renewed early.

7.  Licensed dog owners receive a My Dog Matters Responsible Dog Owners rewards card that can be used for discounts and special services at more than 50 local businesses listed on the mydogmatters.ca program website.  This can help offset the annual cost of a license.

8.  If an owner moved to the Central Okanagan and has a current dog license with another BC local government, a Central Okanagan license will be provided at no charge for the remainder of the current year.

9.  RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw 1343 requires all dogs to be licensed.

10.  Accurate statistics help local governments plan for services such as leashed and unleashed dog parks.

There’s plenty of information available about dog licensing and Responsible Dog Ownership in the Central Okanagan. 

Check out regionaldistrict.com/dogs for information about the Regional Dog service and what to do if you lose or find a dog.

News from © iNFOnews, 2016