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In Guelph, the Animal Control Bylaw regulates the keeping of pets and other animals within the city.
Residents are required to license their dogs and cats annually and register snakes and poultry once.
Licensing is an important part of being a responsible pet owner. Not only does it help connect an owner to a lost pet, but it helps provide animal control services to:
- Reunite lost pets with owners
- Shelter and feed lost animals
- Provide emergency veterinary medical care for injured stray dogs and cats
Animal control services are provided by the Guelph Humane Society. Be sure that your pet is wearing a current dog or cat identification tag, which provides the Society with critical information to help return your pet home to you.
Dogs
All dogs aged four months and older in Guelph are required to be licensed and have their tag affixed at all times.
Dog licences are valid for one year from the date of purchase.
When renewing or purchasing a dog licence, please have the following (if applicable):
- Proof of spay/neuter and microchip
- Proof of Canadian Kennel Club registration is required for a kennel licence
Providing your dog with proper identification significantly increases the likelihood that your dog will get home promptly in the event that he strays or becomes lost.
Not only is it one of the best gifts you could ever give your loyal companion, in Guelph, it’s the law. A fine of $75 will apply if your dog is not licensed as per City of Guelph By-law (2016)-20122.
Cats
Cat licences are valid for one year from the date of purchase.
As of January 1, 2018, all cats in the city of Guelph are required to be licensed. There is an annual fee of $25 and $5 from the sale of each cat licence will go to a program that supports cat welfare. Note: Although wearing a tag is encouraged, if your cat is micro-chipped, he or she doesn’t need to wear a collar or identification tag.
Did you know? In 2015, 584 cats were brought in as strays to the Guelph Humane Society. Of those cats, only 77 were reclaimed by their owners—a reclaim rate of about 13 per cent.
Snakes
There is a one-time fee of $25 for the registration of breeders of reptiles. The licence is for the breeder, not each reptile.
Poultry
Purchase poultry keeper license
There is a one-time fee of $25 for the registration of keepers of domestic poultry. The licence is for the keeper of domestic poultry, not each animal.
Sheep and goats
For more information, contact [email protected].
Fees for animal licenses
Refer to page 40-41 of the City’s User Fees Bylaw (PDF)
Subsidy
People living in low income households may qualify for a 50 percent subsidy.
Where to buy
Online at DocuPet
In addition to identification tags, DocuPet offers an online pet profile, a lost pet program, and a rewards card that gives you access to discounts at participating businesses.
City Hall
ServiceGuelph, 1 Carden Street
519-822-1260 extension 2117
[email protected]
(Cash, cheque, debit, Visa and Mastercard)
Note: Wait times are always shorter mid-month. Save yourself time by avoiding the end-of-month lineup.
Guelph Humane Society
190 Hanlon Creek Boulevard
guelphhumane.ca
(Cash, cheque, debit, Visa, MasterCard)