Your Licensing Guide

Why License?

Pet licences are mandatory in the City of Toronto. In fact, licences are mandatory in nearly every community across North America. Why? Because licences help keep pets and the communities they live in safe.

DocuPet makes it easy for makes licensing a breeze for pet owners. Check out the ways you can license your pet below and feel good knowing that 100% of licensing revenue funds are given to City of Toronto Animal Services to support animal welfare initiatives in your community.

How to License

The fastest and easiest way to license or renew is right here. You’ll create a profile for your pet, process your licence registration, and receive purchase confirmations via email. Payment can be made using a credit card or Visa/Mastercard debit card. Each year, you just need to log in to your existing account and renew - it’s super easy!

Municipal Licensing and Standards with the assistance of DocuPet Inc. collects personal information on this website under the legal authority of Toronto City Council Item 2018.LS27.3, as confirmed by the City of Toronto By-law 1058-2018; the City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 349, Animals, Article IV, Dogs; and, the City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 349, Animals, Article V, Cats. The information will be used to administer dog and cat licenses. Personal information collected on this website will be shared with DocuPet Inc who may also use your personal information for commercial purposes. Questions about this collection can be directed to Manager, Partnerships and Animal Services, Municipal Licensing and Standards, 1300 Sheppard Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario, M3K 2A6 or by telephone at 416-338-PETS (7387).

Renew my pet's licence

My pet has a licence, but it has expired or will very soon.

Renew now

License a pet for the first time

I've never licensed a pet with City of Toronto Animal Services before.

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City of Toronto Details & Fees

Pet licences are required for all cats and dogs living in the City of Toronto. Licences expire exactly 365 days from the start date of the licence and must be renewed prior to the expiration date. Once you have registered you will receive reminders about upcoming licence expirations.

Pet Licences Fee Senior (65+) Fee
Dog Spayed/Neutered $25.00 $12.50
Dog Not Spayed/Neutered $60.00 $30.00
Cat Spayed/Neutered $15.00 $7.50
Cat Not Spayed/Neutered $50.00 $25.00
Dog Spayed/Neutered
Fee $25.00
Senior (65+) Fee $25.00
Dog Not Spayed/Neutered
Fee $60.00
Senior (65+) Fee $30.00
Cat Spayed/Neutered
Fee $15.00
Senior (65+) Fee $7.50
Unaltered Cat (Voluntary)
Fee $50.00
Senior (65+) Fee $25.00

A replacement City of Toronto tag is available for a $5.65 (inclusive of HST) or at no additional charge when you license your pet.

Failure to license a dog or cat every year may result in a $240 ticket. If you are taken to court, the maximum penalty is a $5,000 fine.

When licensing a Certified Guide or Assistance Dog for the first time, licensing must be done in person. Future renewals may be done online once the status is verified.

Pet owners must be 65+ to qualify for senior citizen rates.

Residents of the City of Toronto are allowed to own a maximum of 6 cats and 3 dogs.

Frequently Asked Questions

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PROGRAM AND PARTNERSHIP

DocuPet's privacy policy can be found here.

LICENSING OPTIONS, DATES, AND LOCATIONS

Refunds may be granted for a licence if a pet passes or is returned within 30 days of the licence purchase.

Licences are required to be renewed prior to the expiration date each year.

Licences expire exactly 365 days from the licence start date. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new licence will start the day after expiration, not on the date of purchase.

You may have entered your address incorrectly or we may not have your address in the address database for your community. Please double-check all spelling and ensure you are using the abbreviated form for your street type. For example, use "St" instead of "Street". You may contact Toronto Animal Services directly if you believe you reside within their jurisdiction but your address is not being accepted by the system.

It makes sense to renew your pet's licence early! You may renew your pet's licence within 60 days of your pet's current licence expiration date. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new licence will start the day after expiration, not on the date of purchase.

You may licence in person at: 

Toronto Animal Services North Animal Shelter and Spay/Neuter Clinic
1300 Sheppard Ave W
Toronto, ON M3K 2A6

Toronto Animal Services East Animal Shelter and Spay/Neuter Clinic
821 Progress Ave
Toronto, ON M1H 2X4

Toronto Animal Services West Animal Shelter
146 The East Mall
Toronto, ON M8Z 5V5

Toronto Humane Society
11 River St
Toronto, ON M5A 4C2

 

FEES AND FINES

Please contact Pet Licensing at 416-338-PAWS (7297) or email petlicensing@toronto.ca for more informtion. 

Contact 1-855-249-1370 to adjust your pet's profile to the appropriate status if your pet has been spayed or neutered.

Those aged 65 and older qualify for the senior citizen rate.

Please visit Toronto Animal Services in person at one of the following locations if this is your first time paying this rate or first year of dangerous dog designation. They are located at:

Toronto Animal Services North Animal Shelter and Spay/Neuter Clinic
1300 Sheppard Ave W
Toronto, ON M3K 2A6

Toronto Animal Services East Animal Shelter and Spay/Neuter Clinic
821 Progress Avenue
Toronto, ON M1H 2X4

Toronto Animal Services West Animal Shelter
146 The East Mall
Toronto, ON M8Z 5V5

Failure to license a dog or cat every year may result in a $240 ticket. If you are taken to court, the maximum penalty is a $5,000 fine.

Visit this page for licensing options and fees. 

PET INFORMATION AND PROFILES

If you are moving please be sure to update your address by logging into your online account and navigating to your Profile Settings page. Even though you are moving you’ll still be able to keep your pet's tag and access your pet's online account. However, your current licence may not be valid in the new community you are moving to. Please get in touch with the pet licensing provider in the new community you are moving to in order to find out more information.

MUNICIPAL INFORMATION AND BYLAWS

The following species are required to be licensed: Dogs and Cats

 

Please get in touch with Toronto Animal Services at 311 or visit their website for more information. 

You are allowed for a maximum of 6 cats and 3 dogs per dwelling.

Visit this page for information on licensing bylaws.

Unless your dog was obtained prior to DOLA coming into place, the following breeds are banned: Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and American Pit Bull Terriers.

HELP DESK

Visit our DocuPet Help Desk for more information.