Dog licence fees are going up in Canmore next year as part of an effort to provide sustainable funding to the Bow Valley SPCA.
Council voted last week to raise the price of both the one- and three-year licences to help provide $10,000 a year to the non-profit group.
Bylaw Services Manager Greg Burt said in addition to revenue from licences, a portion of fines collected for off-leash dogs could also be used to achieve the total amount.
While Burt recommended increasing the one-year dog licence from $50 to $55 per year, it was Councillor Ed Russell who put forward the motion to increase the three-year licence from $99 to $114.
“I don’t think it is onerous… this is a big service the (SPCA) delivers,” Russell said.
Coun. Jim Ridley inquired if there is a way for the SPCA to also encourage or sell licences to those adopting dogs at the no kill, no cage facility.
Burt said through initial discussions with them, they indicated they encourage people to get licences.
“I suggested there may be a way to sell or require a licence before adoption,” he said.
