Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

Wildlife Act Review

Controlled Alien Species Regulation

Information for Pet Stores in Possession of Controlled Alien Species

What is considered a pet store?
For the purposes of the Controlled Alien Species Regulation, Ministry of Environment's Fish and Wildlife Branch considers a pet store to be any premises of any nature (including a private dwelling) at which a business of selling Controlled Alien Species as pets is carried on or at which Controlled Alien Species are kept with a view to their being sold in the course of such a business, whether by the keeper of the Controlled Alien Species or by any other person.
Will pet stores require permits?
All pet stores (as defined above) are required to hold a Personal and Pet Store Possession Controlled Alien Species Permit for each of their Controlled Alien Species.
What activities will a pet store be able to continue with a Pet Store Permit?
- Possession of Controlled Alien Species that were in B.C. on or before March 16, 2009
- Sale of Controlled Alien Species that were in B.C, on or before March 16, 2009
- Shipping and transporting of Controlled Alien Species (accompanied with the permit)
What activities will a pet store be PROHIBITED from doing?
- Breeding Controlled Alien Species
- Releasing Controlled Alien Species
- Transferring any Controlled Alien Species into B.C.
NOTE: After April 1, 2010, pet stores will NOT be able to obtain any new Controlled Alien Species that were in B.C. on or before March 16, 2009 (date of regulation deposit) to sell. Pet stores should not be obtaining Controlled Alien Species to sell from outside the province.
What is the deadline for having sold all current Controlled Alien Species?
Pet stores must find new homes for all of their Controlled Alien Species before end of day on June 30, 2010.
What are the penalties for offences?
The penalties associated with breeding or releasing for a first time offender are:
- fines ranging from $2,500 to a maximum of $250,000; or
- a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years; or
- both a fine and a sentence.
The penalties for possession for a first time offender are:
- fines up to a maximum of $100,000; or
- a term of imprisonment of one year; or
- both a fine and a sentence.
What about municipal bylaws?
There are over twenty local governments in British Columbia that have bylaws dealing with Controlled Alien Species. It is the obligation of the owner of both a pet store and individual owner of the Controlled Alien Species to comply with municipal bylaws.
How much will a permit cost?
There is currently no charge for permits.

All owners of Controlled Alien Species will require a permit by April 1, 2010.

Key Dates:

November 1, 2009: Permit applications are available to possess a controlled alien species for personal use. You must have your permit in place by April 1, 2010.

February 1, 2010: The last date to submit your permit application to the Ministry of Environment, to ensure compliance with the regulation, and obtain your permit before the April 1, 2010 deadline.

April 1, 2010: If you are in possession of a Controlled Alien Species without a permit, you may be subject to a penalty for violating the new restrictions.

July 1, 2010: Pet stores must have sold or found owners for all of their Controlled Alien Species before this date.

Click here to for a Permit Application form.