Animal Services

Animal Control Officers transport animals to the shelter, where they are examined for injuries or other health concerns. If the animal is wearing identification, or has a microchip or tattoo, efforts will be made to contact the owner.

Animals with no identification are held at the shelter for a minimum of 96 hours. If animals are not claimed within that period of time, they will be considered to be surrendered. If the animals are healthy and don’t show any serious behaviour problems, they may be made available for adoption through our facility.

Many animals are transferred to our adoption partners: the BC SPCA, Critteraid, Paws It Forward, Angels Animal Rescue and Jurassik Bark.

Please call 250-492-3801 to confirm whether your animal is in our shelter or check out our Facebook page Penticton Dog Control Service to see which animals we have in our facility.

The Penticton Animal Shelter is located at 2330 Dartmouth Drive.

We will pick up:

• Dead domestic animals (cats, dogs, rabbits, chickens, etc.)
• Dead wildlife larger than a squirrel (marmots, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, etc.)
• Birds larger than a pigeon (crows, gulls, raptors, etc.)

We will not pick up:

• Rodents (mice, rats, squirrels, etc.)
• Deer
• Fish

Our team cares for animals in need due to extraordinary circumstances, which may include:

• The owner has died.
• The owner is hospitalized.
• The owner is incarcerated.
• SAFE Pets program for victims of domestic violence.
• Dangerous dog cases.

Please call Animal Care & Control for more information about the shelter’s custody program at 250-492-3801. Shelter hours are from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Saturday.

Check out these two photo galleries:

• Take a look inside!
• Meet some of our guests

Download the Animal Control Bylaw 

Animal Control hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday (closed holidays). If we are unable to answer your call, please leave a detailed message and we will return your call as soon as possible.

Phone: 250-492-3801
Email: dogs@penticton.ca

To report a non-emergency issue after hours, you can fill out our online form. All requests will be forwarded to the appropriate contact for consideration.

For wildlife and public safety concerns, please call Conservation Officers at 1-877-952-7277.

Emergency Issues

Is your issue an after-hours emergency?

What is considered an after-hours emergency?

• If you have a dog or cat in your custody that does not belong to you.
• If you have been attacked by a dog or your animal has been attacked.
• You have found a sick or injured animal.

The following are not considered an emergency:

• A dog at large.
• A barking or howling dog.
• A missing dog.

Emergency calls: 250-492-3801

Please leave a detailed message indicating the events taking place, the location and your contact information. By leaving a message, the City’s Animal Control Officers can determine if immediate assistance is required.

Yes, unless your dog is within a designated off-leash dog park or on private property, all dogs must be on a leash with a fixed total length of not more than 2 metres (6 feet). The leash must be attached to the dog and be held by the owner.

A dog owner is any person who owns or has custody, care or control of a dog. You are considered the dog’s “owner” if the dog is in your possession, even if you are temporarily responsible for the dog.

Excessive barking is when a dog cries, barks, howls or yelps continuously for a period of more than five minutes or sporadically for a period of more than 15 minutes or in a manner that tends to disturb the peace, quiet, rest, enjoyment or comfort of others in the neighbourhood.

Cats that are spayed and neutered are allowed to be free roaming but require identification by way of a collar, microchip or tattoo.

Visit our Urban Cats page for some useful tips and resources.

Dog safety awareness is an important part of overall public health and safety for Penticton’s Animal Care and Control. Teach your child early on about the appropriate ways to interact with a dog.

Here are a few tips to ensure you and your family are safe around dogs:

• Never approach an unaccompanied strange dog, especially if they are tied up, eating something, or cornered — just admire them instead.
• Always ask their handler if you may interact with their dog. Let the dog or cat sniff the back of your hand.
• Never reach over a dog’s head to pet them — wait until they approach you and then pet them on the side or under the chin
• Avoid reaching your hand into their space. Instead, let the dog approach at their own pace.
• Never interrupt a dog (or cat) that’s eating, sleeping, or taking care of its babies.
• Avoid eye contact or approaching a dog head-on. Crouching down to their level is the best way to say hello. If you are wearing sunglasses or a hat this can intimidate a dog so we recommend removing them when meeting a new dog.
• Never hug, kiss, or restrain a dog — most dogs don’t enjoy this type of physical contact.
• If your child loves animals, enrol them in a humane education program designed to teach compassion, appropriate boundaries, and ignite their passion in all things furry and feathered.
• While it is a wonderful and rewarding to adopt an animal into your home, it is also important that everyone is prepared for it and that you make the right match for your household.

Dog licences are required if you live in the city for more than 30 days and your pet is older than three months old. Licences and tags expire on Dec. 31 each year and require renewing on an annual basis.

Licences can be purchased at City Hall, located at 171 Main St, or at the City’s Animal Shelter Facility at 2330 Dartmouth Drive. Visit the Dog Licences page for further information.

• Clean up after your canine friend. Always have an extra plastic bag on hand for when nature calls. Bag dispensers and waste receptacles are located throughout Penticton’s parks and along many walking trails.
• If you find an empty bag dispenser, call 250-490-2500 and report the location and PS # found on the dispenser.
• There is a fine of $100 for failing to pick up after your dog. Keeping our city clean makes it more enjoyable for everyone.

The Animal Control Bylaw No. 2021- 02 requires you to have your dog licenced and to be under your immediate care and control at all times.

Every owner shall, at all times when your animal is away from your home, immediately remove and dispose of dog waste in a sanitary manner.