Licenses are mandatory and must be renewed every year. They are valid throughout Montréal. To get one, your dog must be microchipped and spayed or neutered. Along with your license, you’ll receive a tag that your dog must wear at all times. The tag is valid for the pet’s entire lifetime.

All dogs must be microchipped and sterilized.

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

Please note that we may refuse your permit application if you have been declared guilty of infractions related to animal welfare or leash laws, or failure to comply with a euthanasia order issued by Montréal or another municipality.

Fees

A dog permit costs $30.50. Some exceptions may apply.

Dogs adopted from shelters

Licenses are for the first year upon proof of adoption of your pet within the 15 days preceding your license application. The shelter must have a valid permit issued by the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation (MAPAQ).

Guide dogs and assistance dogs

Licenses are free of charge if you provide a certificate from a professional guide dog training organization recognized by the city. The document must be valid and in effect. The document must include:

• A picture of the person and one of the dog
• The contact information of the person and information pertaining to the dog
• If the dog is in training, the proof shown must be issued by a professional god training organization recognized by the city and include a deadline for the training program.

Accepted certifications

Your guide or assistance dog must be trained by a specialized organization that is a member of Assistance Dogs International or the International Guide Dog Federation. Emotional support dogs and pet therapy dogs are not considered guide dogs. Certification cannot be purchased online

Homeless person

Free if you provide proof that you have visited one of the organizations accredited by the city in the past six months:

• Accueil Bonneau
• Le Sac à dos
• Dans la rue
• CACTUS Montréal
• MultiCaf
• CAP St-Barnabé 
• Dîners St-Louis
• Dopamine
• La Maison des amis du Plateau Mont-Royal
• La Maison Benoît Labre
• Mission Bon Accueil
• Mission Old Brewery
• Plein milieu
• RAP Jeunesse
• Refuge des jeunes de Montréal
• Spectre de rue 
• TRAC
• L’Anonyme
• Y des femmes de Montréal
• YMCA du Québec (programme Dialogue)

Required documents

One of the following documents, as ID:

• Québec driver’s license
• Québec health insurance card
• Canadian or foreign passport
• Canadian citizenship card
• Permanent resident card
• Doctors of the World Canada ID 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 statement for the current year
• Record of Employment Insurance
• Québec health insurance card renewal notice
• Québec driver’s license renewal notice
• Valid Accès Montréal card
• Home insurance statement or certificate that is less than a year old

One of the following documents, as proof of microchipping, if the dog is more than six months of age:

• 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 issued by a veterinary clinic or shelter, indicating that the pet is microchipped and including a description of the pet and the owner’s name.

The microchip number must be written on your proof of microchipping. Cards purchased in stores or from pet identification Web sites are not accepted.

One of the following documents, as proof of sterilization, if the dog is more than six months of age:

• 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 issued by a veterinary clinic or shelter, confirming that the pet is spayed or neutered and including a description of the pet.

If your dog is over six months old and has not been spayed or neutered, there are three possible reasons:

• You are the owner of a breeding dog from a city-recognized breed association. In this case, you must provide the registration certificate issued by the association.
• Spaying or neutering is contraindicated for your pet. In this case, you must provide written proof from a veterinarian that states the medical reasons. Please ask your vet to fill out the “Notice of Exemption” form – Appendix 5 (in French).
• Spaying or neutering must be delayed due to your dog’s age. In this case, you must provide written proof from a veterinarian. Please ask your vet to fill out the “Notice of Exemption” form – Appendix 5 (in French).