Dog Licensing

Being a dog owner is a rewarding experience that comes with important responsibilities, not only to your pet but to your neighbours and the community. Registering your dog helps ensure everyone’s safety and well-being by making it easier to identify pets, encourage responsible care, and address concerns like noise, safety, and public cleanliness.

All dog owners in Richmond County are required to register their dogs in accordance with the Dog Control By-law. By registering, you’re helping us work together to keep our community safe, respectful, and welcoming for everyone.

Here’s what you need to know about registration and your responsibilities as a dog owner.

Dog Registration

To register your dog, please complete the  pdf Dog Registration Form (5.38 MB) and include the following information:

Owner Information:
Name, civic address, mailing address, and telephone number  

Dog Information:
Name, breed, and approximate age of the dog

• Description of the dog, including:
  • Whether the dog is male or female
  • Whether the dog is spayed/neutered or unspayed/unneutered
• A recent photo of the dog (to be updated yearly or upon request)
• Identification information such as:
  • Microchip implant
  • Tattoos
  • Other special markings

Emergency Contact:
Emergency or alternate contact  

Additional Information (Optional)
Any additional information the owner feels may help in identifying the dog, such as:

• Temperament
• Inoculations
• Other identifying characteristics

Fees

Purchase Options

Dog tags can be purchased in person at the Municipal Office in Arichat or by mail.

To receive a dog tag by mail, please send a cheque (for the correct fee) along with the required registration information. You can find the pdf dog registration form here(5.38 MB) . 

The cheque must be mailed to:

Municipality of the County of Richmond
2357 Highway 206,
P.O. Box 120,
Arichat, NS
B0E 1A0
Attention: Kristina Kean

Once the cheque is received, the Municipality will then send your dog tag to the mailing address provided.

For more information, please contact us by phone at (902) 226-2400 or complete the Dog License contact form. (see below)

Change of Dog Ownership Notification

If you sell or transfer ownership of a registered dog, you are required to notify the Municipality within thirty (30) days. This notification must include the name and address of the new owner, a description of the dog, and the dog’s registration number. A $10 change of ownership registration fee must be submitted along with this information. Payments can be made in person or by mail via cheque.

Dog Owner Responsibilities

Dog Control By-Law, Section 5, Responsibilities of the Owner

5.1.    Every owner of a dog: 

1. whose dog runs at large;
2. whose dog is not wearing a tag required by this by-law;
3. whose dog is not licensed pursuant to this by-law;
4. whose dog persistently disturbs the quiet of the neighbourhood by barking, howling, or otherwise;
5. whose dog, at any time without the presence of a mitigating factor, has attacked or injured any person or animal;
6. who harbours, keeps, or has under care, control, or direction, a dog that is fierce or dangerous;
7. whose dog damages public or private property;
8. who fails to remove the feces of such dog, other than a service dog that is trained to assist and assisting a person with a disability from public property or private property other than the owners.
9. who sells or transfers a registered dog and does not report the sale or transfer to the Municipality within thirty (30) days, along with the name and address of the person to whom the dog was sold or transferred, a description of the dog, and the dog’s registration number;
10. who fails to provide a statement, when requested by the Municipality in writing within ten (10) days of receiving notice, regarding the number of dogs owned, harboured, or habitually kept on the premises of the owner;
11. who obstructs or hinders the Dog Control Officer in the performance of their duties;

is guilty of an offence under this by-law.

To learn more, review the Dog Control By-law No. 70

Penalties for violating the Dog Control By-Law

All dog owners in the Municipality of the County of Richmond are reminded that violations of the Dog Control By-Law may result, upon conviction, in fines ranging from $100 to $5,000.

For detailed information, please refer to   pdf Schedule A.(224 KB)   

Troubles with a dog in your neighbourhood? 

If you are experiencing issues with a dog in your neighborhood, it’s important to address the situation by having a respectful conversation with the owner. They may be unaware that their pet’s behavior is causing a disruption. If the problem continues, you can contact the Dog Control Officer at 902-226-2400, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. For after-hours assistance, call 902-227-5896.

Other Complaints

Related Documents

• Municipality of the County of Richmond Dog Control By-law No. 70
• pdf Dog Registration Form(5.38 MB)
• Nova Scotia Animal Protection Act
• pdf Municipality of the County of Richmond Municipal Fees Policy (195 KB)