Pet Licensing

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Pet Licensing

Licensing your pets

All dogs and cats in the city of Vaughan must wear a licence (numbered tag), purchased from the City, at all times. Licences must be purchased within 30 days of acquiring a new dog or cat, and are not transferrable.

Dog and cat licences expire annually, and must be renewed prior to the anniversary date of purchase to ensure the pet’s information is kept up to date. Existing registered owners will be notified at renewal time.

Failure to license your dog or cat every year may result in a fine. The maximum penalty is $5,000.

Be a responsible owner – license your pet today!

How to license your pet

Online pet licensing is available. To use this online service, a specific login is required. This can be found on the renewal letter or provided by contacting Animal Services at 905-832-2281. If this is your first time registering for a licence, you do not need to call us first and can create an account directly online.

Some online features include the ability to:
• Upload documents in pdf and other formats (such as rabies certificates)
• Change account information (such as contact info, pet status, etc.)
• Order replacement tags when originals are lost
• Find existing tag information easily

When applying for a pet licence, please provide proof of your pet’s current rabies vaccine (which includes the rabies tag number, date of vaccination, and name and address of veterinary clinic), and any tattoo or microchip identification.

Licence Fees

Annual fee	Dog	Cat
Male/Female Pet Licence	$25 per dog	$25 per cat
Replacement Tag	$12 per tag	$12 per tag
Biting/Menacing Dog or Pit Bull (restricted Pit Bull, if born before 2005)	$53 per dog	Not applicable
Service Animal	*No fee (with certificate)	Not applicable

* There is no annual licence fee for owners who require a service animal, provided that a certificate is presented from the Canadian National Institute for the Blind or Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.

Why licensing your pet is a good idea

Helps easily identify and safely reunite lost pets with their owners
Helps with medical follow-ups of people or animals potentially exposed to infected animals
Helps supplement and manage the costs of sheltering animals, and providing education, outreach and compliance measures

Provincial government ban on owning pit bulls (PDF).

Contact Information

By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services - Animal Services

Phone: 905-832-2281
Toll-free: 1-855-227-7297 (PAWS)

Email: animal.services@vaughan.ca

Location:
Department
Vaughan City Hall, Level 100
2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.
Vaughan, ON L6A 1T1

Shelter
70 Tigi Crt., Unit 47
Vaughan, ON L4K 5E4

Additional Information

City By-laws