Whistler loves its dogs (cats too!). A full-time canine population of 1,200 dogs call Whistler home, plus the many more pets accompanying their part-time homeowners and visitors to the resort. Our community is pet-friendly, but to keep Whistler clean, safe and welcoming for your pet, please respect the following:

Licensing

All puppies (five months and up) and adult dogs living full time in Whistler must wear a valid license at all times on the collar or harness.

Visiting and part-time pets should have a valid license from the animal control service of their primary residence. This ensures you can be contacted at all times, if you and your pet should be separated.

A license helps protect your pet. If your dog is lost, it can be identified quickly and you can be contacted and in the event of an emergency such as a natural disaster, you can be contacted.

Keeping accurate statistics regarding the number of dogs in Whistler also enables the Resort Municipality to ensure that facilities and services are adequate to meet the needs of the population.

Fees
Licenses are issued annually, from January 1 through December 31. The next year licenses are available for sale starting in December and are available for purchase at the finance counter at municipal hall or at the Whistler Animal Shelter. If your dog has been spayed or neutered, please bring a veterinary certificate with you to obtain the discounted rate.

Please ensure Bylaw Services is updated with current address, telephone number and pet owner's name. This is most helpful during emergency situations and protects your pet. You may want to outfit your pet with a tag listing their name or yours, a telephone number and any medical or special alerts.

Impound Fees
Note than an impounded, unlicensed dog requires a license before release at the rates listed. All fees subject to change without notice.

Exercising your pet
Dogs love to run and we've got just the right places for them!

On a Leash
Except where noted below, at all times that your pet is outdoors within the municipality, it must be on a leash. Leashing your pet not only protects him from other animals, it also protects other animals and people from injury and limits your pet's exposure to accidents and disease. A leashed pet can not wander off, dart in front of a moving vehicle, chase your neighbour's cat or jump on a child, nor can it eat something that will make it sick. For your peace of mind, and the protection of your beloved pet, please respect the leash law in Whistler.

Any dog off leash in the municipality is regarded as "at large" and is liable to seizure and impoundment. If your dog is found off leash, it can lead to a $50 fine.

Off Leash Parks

• Rainbow Park before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
• Meadow Park before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
• Alpha Lake Park before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
• Ball fields when not in use

Your pet must be under your control at all times in off-leash areas.

Off Leash Beaches

• Barking Bay, found at the south end of Rainbow Park. Keep your dog leashed as you travel through the park to Barking Bay. Off leash, your dog must be in your control at all times and remain in the Barking Bay area.
• Canine Cove, found opposite the public at Lost Lake, a five-minute walk along Lost Lake Loop trail. Please keep your dog leashed on the trails leading to the cove. Off leash, your dog must be in your control at all times and remain in Canine Cove area.

Sorry Fluffy, but there are no designated cat beaches in Whistler, yet.

Your pet is welcome at most other places in Whistler, except playgrounds, public (human) beaches, tennis courts and the spray pool at Meadow Park.

Cross Country Skiing with Your Dog
The Lost Lake Trail system, including the Nicklaus North and Chateau Whistler Golf Clubs cart paths are closed to pedestrians and dogs for the cross country skiing. But you can still ski with Fido. The valley trail between Rainbow and Meadow Parks are groomed and trackset when time and conditions permit and you can ski with your dog. Please note, it is a multi use trail and dogs must be leashed on the valley trail. Another ski and snowshoe option are the roads in the Whistler Interpretive Forest (West Side Main and East Side Main).

Dog Waste Bags
Please clean up after your pet. Dog waste bags are provided in major parks and at trail junctions, as are bear-proof garbage bins. Please be a responsible dog owner and pick up after your pet, then dispose of the bags in the appropriate containers. Dog excrement is unsanitary, unslightly, and a health hazard to humans and other dogs.

Failure to pick up after your pet could result in an $100 fine.

Lost and Found Animals
Nothing is more stressful than losing your beloved pet. If your pet has gone missing in Whistler, alert Bylaw Services at 604-935-8287 (cell 604-938-4048) and contact Whistler Animals Galore (WAG) at the animal shelter at 604-935-8DOG (604-935-8364) to see if your pet has been brought in. If your pet has a valid license, it will much easier to contact you when it's found.

If you find a stray animal, contact Bylaw Services at 604-935-8287 (cell 604-938-4048) and we will arrange to pick it up. Be cautious when approaching a stray animal as lost pets will be stressed and may behave differently. They may also have medical issues. Do not attempt to feed a pet you've found; it may have allergies. You may, however, provide water while you wait for Bylaw to pick it up.

You may also contact WAG at 604-935-8DOG (604-935-8364) to see if the animal you found has been reported missing. If the animal is injured, you may also wish to call a veterinarian.

Animal Health Care
Spaying or neutering your pet will prevent the birth of unwanted animals. It is healthier for your pet, and neutering makes Fido less likely to wander and less aggressive toward other male dogs.

If you breed your pet and it is "in season", keep it away from off leash areas and do not leave it outdoors unattended.

For more information on the health care of your pet, contact one of Whistler's veterinary offices. There are two veternary clinics in Whistler:

Coast Mountain Veterinary Services,
#201-2011 Innsbruck Drive, 604-932-5391

Animal Health Clinic of Whistler
#7-1100 Millar Creek Road, 604-905-5088

A number of other dog related services in Whistler, including day care and dog walking, can be found under Pet Care Services in the yellow pages for Whistler.

Whistler Animal Shelter
Check out our animal shelter on Nester's Road (at the entrance to the Nester's recycling depot). The Whistler Animal Shelter is operated by Whistler Animals Galore, a non-profit society for lost and unwanted pets, on behalf of the Resort Municipality of Whistler. The animal shelter is open to the public Mondays and Tuesdays, from 3 to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays through Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m. They always need volunteers to help care for and exercise our guests, or for foster care. Contact WAG at 604-935-8DOG (935-8364).

Tips on Being a Good Whistler Dog
By Digger, the Bylaw Dog

When I'm a good dog, I get lots of belly rubs and hugs from my master, and not an inconsiderable amount of treats. Follow these easy tips, and you'll be a Good Whistler dog too!

1. A good dog is never left outdoors unattended and is under his master's control at all times.
2. A good dog chases balls and sticks, not other animals or birds, especially farm animals and wildlife, which is prohibited by law, and is very stressful to the other animal.
3. A good dog does not jump up on other people, even to say a friendly hello, because it may be frightening and it makes everyone's clothes dirty.
4. A good dog has a master who cleans up after him.
5. A good dog is exercised regularly and spends quality time with his master, every day.
6. A good dog never, never, never attempts to bite a human or another dog. A good dog knows and happily obeys the four golden commands: sit, stay, down and come.