Get a cat license

Last updated September 2, 2020
RelatedPet licenseObligations and responsibilities of pet owners

Do you own a cat? In Montréal, you need to obtain a license. It is valid in all boroughs. Here is how to obtain your license.

The cat license is valid within Montréal’s city limits and applies to indoor and outdoor cats alike. When you obtain a license, you will receive a tag valid for the pet’s entire lifetime. The cat must be wearing the tag at all times, except if he or she is microchipped.

You need to renew your cat license yearly before it expires.

As of January 1, 2020, all cats must be microchipped and sterilized.

Fees

A cat permit costs $12.

It may however be free of charge in certain contexts:

  • Cat that originally came from a shelter
    Free the first year if you provide proof that you adopted your animal 15 days prior to applying for a license. 
  • Homeless person
    Free if you provide proof that you have visited one of the organizations accredited by the city in the past six months:
    • Diners St-Louis
    • Dopamine
    • Le Sac à dos
    • Mission Bon accueil
    • Old Brewery Mission
    • Plein Milieu
    • RAP Jeunesse
    • Welcome Hall Mission  

Your license application may be refused if you have been found guilty of an offense related to animal welfare.

The license is not reimbursable or transferable, and cannot be assigned to another person. 

Required documents

One of the following documents, as ID:

  • Québec driver’s license
  • Québec health insurance card
  • Citizenship card
  • Passport or birth certificate in French or in English showing your date and place of birth
  • Permanent resident card

One of the following documents, as proof of address:

  • Bill from a public utility (electricity, telephone, gas or cable provider) that is less than three months old
  • Bill from an educational institution that is less than three months old
  • Monthly statement from a credit or financial institution that is less than three months old
  • Notice of assessment from Revenu Québec or the Canada Revenue Agency
  • School or municipal tax account
  • Record of Employment Insurance
  • Québec health insurance card renewal notice
  • Québec driver’s license renewal notice
  • Accès Montréal card
  • Recent home insurance certificate or statement

One of the following documents, as proof of microchipping:

  • Registration form or confirmation of registration (M4S ID, EIDAP, PETIDCO, Pethealth, Petwatch)
  • Invoice from a veterinary clinic or a shelter confirming that the pet was microchipped
  • Adoption or purchase contract confirming that the pet was microchipped
  • Document containing a description of the animal and the owner’s name, issued by a veterinary clinic or a shelter, confirming that the pet was microchipped.  

 

The microchip number must be shown on the proof of microchipping.  

One of the following documents, as proof of sterilization:

  • Certificate of sterilization, record, health card, health file, invoice from a veterinary clinic or shelter confirming that the pet was sterilized  
  • Adoption or purchase contract confirming that the pet was sterilized
  • Document containing a description of the animal, issued by a veterinary clinic, confirming that  the pet was sterilized
  • Sterilization is not required for breeding cats. You must provide proof of registration of your breeding cat, issued by a recognized breed association.

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