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 valid tag. The cat must be wearing the tag at all times, except if he or she is microchipped. The tag is valid for the pet’s entire lifetime.

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 $13.

It may however be free of charge in certain contexts:

• Cat that originally came from a shelter
  
  Free of charge the first year if you provide proof that you adopted your pet from a shelter 15 days prior to applying for your license. The shelter must have a valid permit issued by the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation (MAPAQ).

• 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
  • Action-Réinsertion (le Sac à dos)
  • Le bon Dieu dans la rue, organisation pour jeunes adultes
  • C.a.c.t.u.s. Montréal
  • La cafétéria communautaire Multi Caf
  • Carrefour d’alimentation et de partage St-Barnabé inc.
  • Dîners St-Louis
  • Dopamine
  • Maison des amis du Plateau Mont-Royal
  • La Maison Benoît Labre
  • Mission Bon Accueil
  • Mission Old Brewery
  • Plein milieu
  • Rue Action Prévention (RAP) jeunesse
  • Refuge des jeunes de Montréal
  • Spectre de rue Inc.
  • Travail de rue / Action communautaire (TRAC)
  • L’Unité d’intervention mobile L’Anonyme
  • Y des femmes de Montréal
  • YMCA du Québec (programme Dialogue)

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
• 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 cat 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 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, if the cat 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 containing a description of the animal, issued by a veterinary clinic, confirming that the pet was sterilized

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

• You are the owner of a breeding cat 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 cat’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).