A current pet licence is one of the simplest ways to help your dog or cat get home quickly if they become lost.
The licence tag connects your pet with your contact information so the Guelph Humane Society (GHS), municipal staff or someone who finds them can reach you.
Licensing requirements vary depending on where you live. This page provides information for the three municipalities served by GHS and explains:
- Which pets must be licensed
- How to purchase or renew a licence
- Where to find current fees and requirements
- Where in-person assistance is available
Use the section for the municipality where you live.
City of Guelph: Dog and Cat Licensing
Dogs four months of age and older, as well as cats, must be licensed annually in the City of Guelph.
Dogs must wear their licence tag. Cats are also encouraged to wear identification on a breakaway collar; however, a microchipped cat is not required to wear their licence tag.
City of Guelph pet licences can be purchased or renewed:
- Online through DocuPet
- In person at ServiceGuelph at City Hall
- In person at the GHS Client Services desk during regular business hours
When licensing a dog, you may need to provide proof that they have been spayed or neutered and their microchip number to qualify for a reduced rate. Fees depend on the type of pet and, for dogs, whether they are spayed or neutered and microchipped. A multi-pet discount may apply when eligible pets are licensed together.
Help With Licensing Costs
City of Guelph residents who qualify for the City’s subsidy program may receive a 50 per cent reduction on pet licensing fees. Subsidized licences must be purchased through ServiceGuelph at City Hall.
Township of Guelph/Eramosa: Dog Licensing
Dogs living in the Township of Guelph/Eramosa must be licensed annually.
You can purchase or renew a dog licence:
- Online through DocuPet
- With assistance from staff at the Township Municipal Office
- With assistance from GHS during regular business hours
Tags are issued by DocuPet and mailed to the dog owner, including when licensing assistance is provided in person. Fees vary based on whether the dog has been spayed or neutered, and a late fee may apply if the licence is not renewed on time.
Township of Centre Wellington: Dog Licensing
Dogs living in the Township of Centre Wellington must be licensed. Each licence is valid for 365 days from its start date, and new dog owners must register their dog within 15 days.
You can purchase or renew a licence:
- Online through DocuPet
- By submitting a paper application to the Township
- By calling the Township of Centre Wellington
Dog tags are mailed to pet owners. A higher fee applies when a licence is renewed after it expires.
Licensing a Pet in Another Municipality
If you live outside the City of Guelph, Township of Guelph/Eramosa or Township of Centre Wellington, visit your municipality’s website or contact its municipal office to find out:
- Which pets must be licensed
- When a licence is required
- How often it must be renewed
- Where to purchase it
- What fees and documentation apply
Licensing programs are managed locally, and requirements differ between municipalities. Searching for “pet licensing” or “dog licensing” on your municipality’s website is usually the quickest place to begin.
Wherever you live, making sure your pet can be identified is important, even when a municipal licence is not required.
Why Licensing and Microchipping Both Matter
A licence and a microchip provide different forms of identification, and having both gives your pet added protection.
A visible licence tag can help someone identify your pet and contact you immediately. A microchip provides permanent identification that can be scanned by an animal shelter or veterinary clinic if your pet is not wearing their collar or tag.
A microchip does not replace a municipal licence where licensing is required. Keep the telephone number, address and other contact information associated with both your pet’s licence and microchip up to date.
Pet Licensing FAQs
Update your information through your DocuPet account or contact the municipality that issued the licence. Current contact information helps us reach you quickly if your pet is found.
Sign in to your DocuPet account or contact your municipality to order a replacement tag. A replacement fee may apply.
GHS provides in-person licensing assistance for residents of the City of Guelph and Township of Guelph/Eramosa during regular business hours. Requirements and purchase options differ by municipality, so please review the information for your community before visiting.
For questions about licensing assistance available through GHS, call 519-824-3091 or email info@guelphhumane.ca.