Yes, you need a Toronto dog licence. The City of Toronto requires every dog and cat owned in the city to be licensed and to wear a tag, and the licence has to be renewed every year. You can buy or renew it online through the City's partner DocuPet, by phone, by mail or in person, and the fee depends on whether your dog is spayed or neutered.
It's easy to file this under paperwork and forget it. But the City says licensed lost pets get home faster and spend less time in shelters, because that little tag ties your dog to your contact details. Here's who needs a licence, how the cost is worked out, which discounts exist, how and when to renew, and what to update when you move.
Who needs a Toronto dog licence?
Every dog owned in Toronto needs a Toronto dog licence, and so does every cat. The City's pet licensing page says all dogs and cats have to be licensed and wear a tag, with the licence renewed every year. That covers the puppy who came home last week and the old dog who hardly leaves the backyard.
Service dogs still need a licence. The City just doesn't charge a fee for them.
If you live in Toronto and own a dog, you need a City licence and the dog should wear the tag.
How much does a Toronto dog licence cost?
A Toronto dog licence costs whatever the City's current fee is, and that depends on two things: dog or cat, and spayed or neutered or not. A spayed or neutered dog costs less to license than one that isn't. The current amounts are on the City of Toronto's Pet Licensing Fees page, listed in the sources below. Check it before you pay, since fees can change.
| Factor | Effect on the fee |
|---|---|
| Dog or cat | Dogs and cats have separate rates |
| Spayed or neutered | Lower fee than for an unaltered pet |
| Owner aged 65 or older | 50 percent off the licence fee |
| Lower household income | May qualify for a subsidized or waived fee |
| Service dog | No charge |
| Replacement tag | Charged separately; the senior discount does not apply |
If money's tight at home, the City asks you to call the pet licensing office to see whether you qualify for the lower-income rate.
How do you buy or renew a dog licence in Toronto?
You can buy or renew a dog licence in Toronto four ways. Most people go online through DocuPet, the City's licensing partner, and pay by credit card or Visa or Mastercard debit. If you'd rather talk to someone, call 416-338-PETS (7387), Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
You can also mail the Pet Licence Application form with a cheque payable to Treasurer, City of Toronto, to Toronto Animal Services at 433 Eastern Avenue. Or go in person to a Toronto Animal Services shelter (North, East or West), by appointment. Even then, your tag comes in the mail.
Just brought home a puppy or a rescue dog?
Just brought home a new dog? Get the licence done as part of settling in, along with the first vet visit and the microchip check. It goes faster if you've got these handy:
- Your name, address, phone number and email.
- Your dog's name, breed, colour, sex and approximate age.
- Whether your dog is spayed or neutered, since it affects the fee.
- A credit card or Visa or Mastercard debit card if you apply online.
Adopted from a shelter or rescue? Ask whether a licence came with the adoption before you buy one. No sense paying twice.
When should you renew?
Renew every year. The City lets you renew within 60 days before your current licence expires, and renewing early doesn't cost you any days: the new licence starts the day after the old one ends, not the day you pay.
The easy way to stay on top of it is to add the renewal date as a reminder in the free PetGrid app, next to your dog's vaccine dates, timed so it lands inside that 60-day window.
What happens if your dog is not licensed?
If your dog isn't licensed, you can be fined. The City says failing to license a dog or cat every year may mean a ticket or a maximum fine, and the amounts are on its fees page. Some City services also hinge on a licence. Toronto Animal Services, for one, asks for a current City pet licence before it offers low-cost microchips at its Chip Truck events.
Why a licence helps if your dog gets lost
A licence helps if your dog gets lost because anyone can read the tag, and it links to your contact details on file with the City. The City says licensed lost pets get home faster and spend less time in shelters. It also means the City has a way to reach you in an emergency.
Collars come off, though, especially on a dog squeezing under a fence. So pair the licence with a registered microchip. Our guide to microchip registration in Canada explains how to check your dog's chip, and what to do if your pet is lost covers those first hours.
Keep your details current
Keep your details current, or the tag can't do its job. Update your account when you move within Toronto or change your phone number, and order a replacement tag if the old one's lost or worn smooth. If your dog dies or you move out of the city, tell the City so the renewal notices stop.
It's handy to keep the licence tag number in your dog's pet records, next to the microchip number and vaccines. And if you're new to the city, the Toronto vet directory lists clinics near you.
Questions people ask
Do I need a licence for my dog in Toronto?
Yes. The City of Toronto requires every dog and cat owned in the city to be licensed and wear a tag, with the licence renewed every year.
How much is a dog licence in Toronto?
It depends on whether your dog is spayed or neutered, with a lower fee for altered dogs. The City lists current amounts on its Pet Licensing Fees page, and owners 65 and older get 50 percent off.
How do I renew my dog licence in Toronto?
Renew online through DocuPet, by phone at 416-338-7387, by mail, or in person at a Toronto Animal Services shelter. You can renew within 60 days before the current licence expires.
Does renewing early shorten my dog's licence?
No. The City says a renewed licence starts the day after the current one expires, not the day you pay.
Do service dogs need a licence in Toronto?
Yes, they still need one, but the City doesn't charge a fee for service dogs.
The short version
A Toronto dog licence is a yearly must for every dog in the city. The price depends on whether your dog is spayed or neutered, and seniors and lower-income households can pay less. Renew online, by phone, by mail or in person in the 60 days before it runs out, and keep the tag on the collar.
Pair the licence with a registered microchip and keep both numbers in one place. The PetGrid app is free for pet owners.
Keep your pet's records, vaccines and visits in one safe place. The PetGrid app is free for pet owners, with or without a clinic.
Get the free PetGrid appSources
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