Pets: Authorized species and numbers

Last updated April 17, 2024
Reading time: 1 min
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Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish: Find out everything you need to know about which pets and domestic animals you are allowed to keep in Montréal, as well as the limits on the number of pets per dwelling.

Number of pets allowed 

  • You can have up to 8 animals, including: 
  • A maximum of 3 dogs 
  • A combined maximum of 4 cats and dogs 

You can have: 

  • 3 dogs 
  • 3 dogs and 1 cat 
  • 2 dogs and 2 cats 
  • 1 dog and 3 cats 
  • 4 cats 

Fish do not count as part of the total number of animals. 

Exception for pet foster families

If you are fostering pets in cooperation with a shelter, you can take in up to 8 cats.

The shelter must have a permit from the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ) and provide you with documents that prove your status as a pet foster family.

The following restrictions continue to apply: 

  • A maximum of 3 dogs 
  • A total maximum of 8 animals

List of authorized pets

Mammals

All breeds of domestic cats and dogs are allowed, except for hybrid cats or dogs (crossbred with a species other than a domestic cat or dog). 

The following mammals are also allowed:

  • Rabbits, ferrets and other rodents that weigh less than 1.5 kg
  • Hedgehogs born in captivity (except for the Erinaceus genus)
  • Sugar gliders born in captivity
Birds

Birds born in captivity are permitted. However, the following types of birds are prohibited:

  • Galliformes (such as chickens, quails, turkeys, grouse, peacocks and pheasants)
  • Anseriformes (such as kamichis, geese, swans, ducks and teals)
  • Struthioniformes (such as ostriches, emus and kiwis)
Reptiles

Reptiles born in captivity are permitted. However, the following types of reptiles are prohibited: 

  • Alligators, crocodiles, gavials and other crocodilians
  • Venomous lizards or lizards whose length, at adult age, reaches more than 2 metres
  • Venomous snakes or snakes whose length, at adult age, reaches more than 3 metres
  • Marine turtles and turtles in the Trionychidae family
Fish and amphibians

All fish other than those prohibited in the Act respecting the conservation and development of wildlife are allowed.

The following amphibians are allowed:

  • American toads, mudpuppies and bullfrogs 
  • Wood frogs, mink frogs (north frogs), leopard frogs and green frogs 
  • Eastern newts 
  • All exotic amphibians 

All venomous species are prohibited.

Why are certain species prohibited?

Some animals are not meant to live in captivity. As well, shelters are only authorized to take care of certain species.

Keeping certain types of animals as pets is prohibited for health and safety reasons, both for yourself and for your neighbours.

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