Four Border Collie puppies (Photo 97682755 © | Dreamstime.com)

By Kevin Rothwell

Push to register 1,500 by March

Regional District pushes to get more dogs licensed

Feb 5, 2021 | 3:25 PM

The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) continues its push to get more dogs licensed under the new DocuPet program.

Pet owners were slow to take to the new system, after previously being able to purchase licenses from groomers, veterinarians and pet stores.

As of Jan. 22 an estimated 70 per cent of dogs in the region covered by the program had been licensed.

Staff anticipated that with an upswing of dog ownership, as a result of COVID-19 there would be 7,000 licensed animals.

The RDNO has launched a contest to entice dog guardians license their hound.

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The ‘Join our Pack and Track the Progress’ promotion will attempt to get 1,500 more pooches licenced by March 5, 2021. As a reward every licence holder will be treated to 50% off of a designer dog tag.

People can track the progress throughout the month on the RDNO’s Facebook page.

“We are launching this fun challenge to reward all of the responsible dog owners who have licensed their dog and to encourage those who have not yet purchased their licence to complete the quick and easy process,” said Ashley Gregerson, Communications Officer, RDNO. “Even if you registered your dog months ago, this prize will benefit you!”

The new program also offers 150 designer dog takes with 20 per cent of the proceeds from every designer tag purchase isdonated to the Vernon & District BC SPCA. The full designer tag gallery is available online.

Why is it important to license my dog?

· Reunite quicker with a lost pet: Access to the free HomeSafe™ 24/7 lost pet service comes with your licence.

· It’s cost-effective: If your dog is at large and doesn’t have a licence, dog control won’t have contact information to reach you and will bring the dog to the pound. In addition to an impounding fee, dog owners are charged a daily boarding fee for each day their dog stays at the pound. If your dog is wearing a license tag, you will be contacted immediately.

· Provides services to our community: Dog licensing fees help pay for the costs of providing dog control services in our community. Dog control is an important service that responds to emergencies that involve dogs, such as dog attacks or roaming dogs.

· It’s the law: Under the RDNO Dog Control Bylaw, all dogs must wear an official tag, and the licence must be renewed annually.

There are three ways to get the $20 license:

online at rdno.docupet.ca;

over the phone, toll-free at 1-855-249-1370;

in-person at the RDNO’s Main Office (9848 Aberdeen Road, Coldstream), the District of Coldstream Municipal Hall (9901 Kalamalka Road, Coldstream), or the Village of Lumby Municipal Hall (1775 Glencaird Street, Lumby).

The RDNO’s dog control service area includes the City of Vernon, District of Coldstream, Village of Lumby, and Electoral Areas B, C, and a portion of D.