As St. Albert begins the new year, residents are receiving reminders to renew their dog licenses—a crucial step in ensuring public safety and facilitating the return of lost pets.
As of January 7, 2024, St. Albert is home to 8,330 licensed dogs, according to Garnet Melnyk, the city’s peace officer program supervisor. Under city regulations, all dogs over six months old must be licensed. Owners of unlicensed pets face a $250 fine if caught.
Melnyk highlighted the importance of dog licensing in keeping pets safe and under control. “The city regulates pet dogs to prevent them from roaming free, forming packs, or becoming a threat to people,” Melnyk explained. The system not only aids in returning lost dogs to their owners but also funds the city’s dog-friendly parks and related services.
In the event of a lost dog or one found wandering the streets, St. Albert residents can contact bylaw officers, who will attempt to capture the animal—often by offering treats or using traps. Once caught, officers check for identifying marks or microchips and strive to reunite the dog with its owner. If an unlicensed dog is found, owners may face both a fine and the inconvenience of retrieving their pet. If an owner cannot be identified, the dog is transferred to the Edmonton Humane Society for adoption.
Dog licenses cost $73 annually, with a reduced fee of $40 for spayed or neutered pets. Licenses can be obtained via the City of St. Albert’s website, online banking, or in person at several city locations. Service and foster care dogs are eligible for free licenses.
Unlike dogs, cats are not required to be licensed in St. Albert, although the city has debated this issue over the years. In contrast, the City of Edmonton mandates cat licenses. Additionally, residents must obtain licenses for domestic hens and bees, with 10 active bee licenses and 23 hen licenses as of January 2025.
While the city does not track the most popular dog names, a report from the pet-sitting service Rover ranked the top names for dogs across Canada. Among females, Luna, Bella, and Daisy were the most common, while Charlie, Milo, and Max topped the list for males.
Local dog daycare operator Kallee Mirus of K9 Awareness noted that “Jasper” is particularly popular among her clients, with at least 10 dogs of that name. Mirus advised owners to choose shorter, less common names, as they tend to be easier for dogs to recognize.
In St. Albert, even the city’s beekeepers and hen owners have gotten creative with names. According to spokesperson Nicole Lynch, while no individual bee names have been reported, St. Albert’s hens are affectionately known as Marshmallow, Sprinkles, Beeker, and Bean.
For more information on dog licenses or to renew, visit the City of St. Albert’s website.