Get a cat license
Do you have a cat? You must get a cat license and renew it each year before the expiry date. Your cat license is valid in all boroughs. Find out how to apply.
Obligations
Cat licenses are mandatory for all cats, whether or not they leave the house.
Once your application is accepted, you will receive your license and a tag for your cat. Your cat must wear it at all times. Cats keep the same tag from year to year. Tags are not replaced when licenses are renewed.
We may refuse your application if you have been found guilty of animal welfare offences.
Fee
A cat license (first application or renewal) costs $13.60. An additional fee of $11.60 applies if the license is renewed after the expiry date.
Cat licenses may also be free in certain situations.
Your cat license is free of charge for the first year, upon proof of adoption date, if your permit application is submitted less than 1 year after adopting the cat from Proanima or the Montréal SPCA.
Your cat license is free if you provide proof that you have visited one of these organizations in the last 6 months:
- Accueil Bonneau inc.
- CACTUS Montréal
- CAP Saint-Barnabé inc.
- Dans la rue
- Dîners Saint-Louis
- Dopamine
- L’Itinéraire community group
- L’Anonyme
- MultiCaf community cafeteria
- La Maison des amis du Plateau Mont-Royal inc.
- La Maison Benoît Labre
- Le Sac à dos
- Mission Bon Accueil
- Old Brewery Mission
- Plein milieu
- Rue Action Prévention Jeunesse
- Refuge des jeunes de Montréal
- Spectre de rue
- Travail de rue Action communautaire
- Y des femmes de Montréal
- Québec YMCA (Dialogue program)
A cat license is non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be assigned to another person.
Required documents
You must provide 1 photo ID and 1 proof of address when applying.
If your cat is more than 6 months old, you must also provide 1 proof of microchipping and 1 proof of spaying or neutering. There are some exceptions.
- Québec driver’s license
- Québec health insurance card
- Canadian or foreign passport
- Canadian citizenship card
- Permanent resident card
- Certificate and identity card issued by Doctors of the World Canada
- Utility bill (Hydro-Québec, telephone or other) issued within the past 3 months
- Invoice from an educational institution issued within the past 3 months
- Monthly statement from a financial or credit institution issued within the past 3 months
- Notice of assessment from Revenu Québec or the Canada Revenue Agency
- School or municipal tax account statement for the current year
- Employment Insurance statement
- Notice of renewal for your Québec health insurance card
- Notice of renewal for your Québec driver’s license
- Accès Montréal card for the current year
- Home insurance certificate or statement dated within the past year
- Registration form or registration confirmation (M4S ID, EIDAP, PETIDCO, Pethealth, Petwatch)
- Invoice from a veterinary clinic or shelter stating that the cat is microchipped
- Adoption or acquisition contract stating that the cat is microchipped
- Document with description of the cat and the name of the guardian (owner) issued by a veterinary clinic or shelter stating that the cat is microchipped
If your cat over 6 months of age is not microchipped, it is either because it is contraindicated or because microchipping must be delayed due to the cat’s age. In these cases, you must provide a written opinion from your veterinarian that explains the medical reasons for not spaying or neutering your cat. Ask your vet to complete the Notice of Exemption form – Appendix 5 (in French).
- Spay/neuter certificate, notebook, card, health record, invoice from a veterinary clinic or shelter stating that the cat is spayed or neutered
- Adoption or acquisition contract stating that the cat is microchipped
- Document with description of the cat issued by a veterinary clinic or shelter confirming that the cat is spayed or neutered
If your cat over 6 months of age is not sterilized, there may be 2 reasons:
- You are the owner of a breeding cat registered with a city-recognized breeding association In that case, you must provide the registration certificate issued by the association stating that your cat is a breeding cat. If the certificate does not state that your cat is a breeder, you must present the contract you signed with the breeder that specifies this, in addition to the certificate issued by the breed association. Please note that livestock farming is prohibited in Montréal.
- Spaying/neutering is contraindicated or should be delayed due to the cat’s age. In these cases, you must provide a written opinion from your veterinarian that explains the medical reasons for not spaying or neutering your cat. Ask your vet to complete the Notice of Exemption form – Appendix 5 (in French).
Submit an application
Online
Create an account on Montréal.ca or sign in to apply for or renew a cat license.
You will receive your cat’s tag in the mail.
In person
Visit an Accès Montréal office with your supporting documents, payment and completed permit application form.
You will receive your cat’s tag at the office.
By postal mail
Send your supporting documents, payment and completed permit application form to the Accès Montréal office in your borough.
You will receive your cat’s tag in the mail.
Need help?
Contact us if you have questions.
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