Discussions

Can anyone tell me what the current rate is to get a dog license?  
Also the cost of shots and spaying?

I don't know what the current rate is but I am pretty sure it depends if the dog is sterile or fertile (sterile being cheaper I believe)  
 
As far as spaying and shots I'd give one of the local vet clinics a call.  
 
Grand Valley Animal Clinic  
304 Pacific Ave  
(204) 728-0033  
Open until 5:00 PM  
 
Wheat City Veterinary Clinic  
1528 1st St N  
(204) 728-9262  
Open until 5:00 PM  
 
Brandon Hills Veterinary Clinic  
733 17th St  
(204) 728-2292  
Open until 5:30 PM  
 
Brandon Animal Clinic  
2015-A Brandon Ave  
(204) 728-9140  
Open until 5:30 PM

You're looking at about $1000 for a year:  
Shots & licensing $300 per year (I don't recall initial spaying costs but ballpark it $250)  
Food is $50-70 per month  
Grooming - depending on your breed can be anywhere from nothing to $600+ a year. Really depends on the breed and your abilities - maybe you you cut their nails, pluck their ears & drain anal glands yourself (me - I'm paying someone to do that!) Even "just a bath" is $100.  
Emergency vet fees - we've been lucky and $400 per dog per year (so $800 per year) has covered our unexpected vet costs.  
 
As they get older, the emergency vet fees can get higher if they require daily medication or dental work.  
 
Good for you to inquire as to costs - some of these costs people don't think to mention. If you have a breed in mind contact a groomer or vet & let them know what you're looking at and they can be a great source of future costs & "maintenance".  
 
Pets are like kids with expenses piling up out of nowhere but we do anything for them! lol

If I remember correctly it is $17 for a sterile dog or cat, and $55 for one that is not neutered/spayed for a license. (Per year)  
 
I paid $180ish for my puppies set of shots (he came with his first set, and that covered second, and third, and contained bortella, it's not a mandatory vaccine but my dog goes to dog parks often)  
 
Off the top of my head vaccines plus the annual vet exam will be under $150 a year, a spay/neuter is around $250.  
 
If you rescue a dog it'll come up to date on shots and come neutered/spayed (and with the adoption fee you pretty much just pay for the spay/neuter) so you save yourself the first initial shots. If you adopt from the pound you can get involved in the snip program that will help you spay/neuter (if your lower income you can also apply for this no matter where you got your dog and they'll either pay for the whole thing or a portion of the cost).

Dog & Cat Registration  
 
All dogs and cats (whether indoor pets or not) must be registered with the City of Brandon annually and the license year runs from January to December. However, new pets do not require registration until they are old enough for a rabies shot and/or six months of age.  
 
Required documentation is as follows:  
 
A current rabies certificate must be provided from the veterinarian indicating rabies was given sometime during the past two years (must be shown each and every year).  
If the pet is neutered or spayed, veterinarian proof must be shown as well.  
 
The current fees are as indicated below:  
 
A sterile dog or cat has an annual fee of $20.00  
Unsterilized pets have an annual fee of $56.00  
 
(The fee schedule may change from time to time and will supersede all rates indicated.)  
 
 
 
I had my dog in to the vet for her check up and shots and it cost under $200 with heart worm meds.  
 
Really will depend on the breed after that. I have an extremely low maintenance dog (boston terrier) I bath her myself so it costs me $20 per year in the nice smelling shampoo from Best West. If you cannot clip your own claws, I hear it is about $12-15 to have someone do it - unless your vet throws it in with the check up, which sometimes happens.  
 
Obviously a smaller breed will cost less in food. Mine has a bit of an allergy to cheap food (she goes bald) so I have to buy a decent quality from Best West, which is about $90 a bag (but that lasts a terrier three months)  
 
And then of course there are things like kennel stays if you want to go away and have no one to care for them. Might add a few hundred bucks to your budget if you like to go away.  
 
I must say thank you for considering the costs - especially the licensing. It shows you are really thinking and are a responsible pet owner. I wish more people thought like you.  
 

I honestly don't know the real reason. I'd like to think it's to help control overpopulation as well as maintain dog parks and poop bags on walking paths. I do know if your dog is caught without a tag there is a fine (even if your walking it or have it at the dog park). It'll also help get your dog home faster if it's picked up, and it'll be cheaper if they do get impounded (if it's impounded your forced to register it anyways).

But really it is not when you consider how low the charge really is.  
 
The money is supposed to go to off set the cost of having bylaw (animal control) and to maintain services for those who do have their animals licensed. (ie - to run the pound that they are taken to until their homes are found)  
 
A dog or cat that is licensed takes far less resources to get home to their owners than one that they have to search for.  
 
It is a small price to pay I figure, to know if one of my animals gets out, that extra set of eyes knows how to get my fur babies home.  
 
Edited by foxtrot11, 2015-11-30 15:05:05

Waste of your money!!!!  
Lived in the city with 2 dogs for over 10 years. Both were spayed.  
But I still never registered either one with the city.  
Save your money don't bother.

Do you mean how much it costs to raise a dog?  
 
$50 a month of dog food = $600 a year  
$50 for shots plus walk in = $120  
Dog license = $66 a year  
 
If you want to spay or neuter = $250-$500 depends on age and weight and breed  
 
Other than that ... It's about $600 a year to raise a dog  
Will be more money if he/she gets sick  
 
So be responsible  
 
Edited by keevesfive, 2015-11-30 20:22:56

Who actually pays a license for their dogs?  
Just an honest question ... I don't know anyone  
I don't think it's required?  
Bylaws have better things to do

All dogs and cats are required to be licensed. Does everyone do it? No. If you frequent the dog parks bylaw does stop there and check in. If your dog ever escapes you'll be fined for not having a license, if your dog was to ever bite someone you could get in trouble for not having it licensed (obviously among other things..), if for any reason they decide to stop you while walking your dog you can get fined. They can fine you even if your dog never leaves your property. If you own dogs and use the dog park or anything dog related in the city (for instance poop bags on the walking paths) it really isn't fair considering dog licensing helps pay for that...

Dogs cost a lot more than just shots, license, and spaying/neutering. I have a small/medium sized dog who costs about $60 every couple months at the groomer, plus $10/month for face and nails. Good dog food isnt cheap either (Please refrain from feeding your dog chemical based foods. Reading the ingredients makes a big difference). My dog was on Beneful for 8 years and the sugar and chemical did a real number on his teeth which resulted in a $600 dental surgery and the removal of most of his teeth. So you never know what fees you might run in to! Plus the cost of time: 11+ years of commitment

bauchesni said "Who actually pays a license for their dogs?   Just an honest question ... I don't know anyone   I don't think it's required?   Bylaws have better things to do "

Why?  
 
Because:  
 
1. It's the law.  
2. If my dog gets lost, he gets a free ride home.  
3. I can use dog parks, etc, as it is posted dogs must be registered.  
4. It helps the city get an idea of how many animals are in the city, and therefore has stats for determining dog parks, etc.  
5. It's just something responsible pet owners do.  
 
Incidently, because you dog must have a rabies shot to get licensed, and you must have a license, you also, by law, must have your dog vaccinated for rabies on a regular basis. Lots of people don't, for some odd reason.

CaitlynWolfe said "Dogs cost a lot more than just shots, license, and spaying/neutering. I have a small/medium sized dog who costs about $60 every couple months at the groomer, plus $10/month for face and nails. Good dog food isnt cheap either (Please refrain from feeding your dog chemical based foods. Reading the ingredients makes a big difference). My dog was on Beneful for 8 years and the sugar and chemical did a real number on his teeth which resulted in a $600 dental surgery and the removal of most of his teeth. So you never know what fees you might run in to! Plus the cost of time: 11+ years of commitment "

Food is a big factor. The better the food, usually the less the vet bills. People balk at the price of the better food, but in the long run it's almost always cheaper than going to vet.  
 
Also, don't buy food at the vet. I took my dog to the vet because they were having some stomach issues from something he sneaked and ate. They had me give him "sensitive easy-digest" food for a few days. I was actually quite appalled what was in it compared to what I normally feed him, and it was soooo expensive!  

Thank you everyone who responded. I am very well aware of the time commitment and get cost of food and such. My husband and I wanted some info on owning a dog in Brandon as we are thinking of getting a dog for our boys but we lived in the country outside small communities growing up so never had our pets licensed and my dog wasn't fixed. We want to be responsible and know the upfront costs that we would be facing if we get the kids a dog. We would continue to be responsible with our dog after the initial cost but that is something we are more aware of already

A friend of mine dogs is not licensed and had two rabies shot now.  
 
The vet do not make you get a license

It's an honest question cause honestly, most animals don't have a license .. I'm pretty sure most dogs at the park aren't licensed just saying. Never seen bylaws come by

I think they meant if you license your dogs they have to have there rabies vaccine. So if all dogs were licensed all dogs would have there rabies vaccine.

You are asking about the cost because you are not sure if you can afford it, please don't get one. If you are just curious, do not get one. They're a long time commitment and the rescues are overflowing with animals. It is expensive over the years. But also worth it IF you can afford it.

Depending on where you get your canine some fees will be covered. Adopting a dog from the Humane Society is very easy. Depending on your daily activity level, and older dog might be better for you. They will bond just as well with you and when they're past the puppy stage, they most likely are a lot more calm. The Humane Society covers some vaccines and the costs of sterilising your pet.

Cheaper than Kids