Port Moody puppy yoga studio cleared after bylaw visit

A Port Moody wellness studio says it was left confused after a bylaw officer raised the possibility of a fine during a puppy yoga event, then later confirmed that no bylaw had been breached.

RVN Wellness owner Dawn Slykhuis said the officer approached her during the city’s Aug. 16 Car Free Day while the studio was holding a rescue-dog meet-and-greet and fundraiser. The officer asked whether puppy yoga was covered by the business licence and also noted that the licence was not displayed. Slykhuis said the studio had moved two months earlier and the licence had not been put back up.

Two days later, Slykhuis said the officer told her the concern had been whether dog-related events were covered by the business’s liability insurance. The officer confirmed the studio could hold yoga-related dog events under its existing licence and would not receive a fine. RVN Wellness also provides counselling and partners with rescue organizations including Snow Dog Rescue Society; Slykhuis estimates those efforts have raised $8,000.

Port Moody building and bylaw manager Stephen Cote-Rolvink said event staff asked bylaw officers to speak with the business because people were lining up onto the sidewalk, creating a potential accessibility and safety concern. Officers saw interactions with pets and pet adoptions inside and said they would check zoning and licensing rules.

The city said the business was free to continue operating while that review was completed, and officers later confirmed the activities were permitted. It encouraged businesses planning activities outside their usual operations to consult the licensing division in advance.