the City of Guelph

DocuPet is the official pet licensing partner for the City of Guelph

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Why Docupet

Why License?

With DocuPet, your pet’s licence is much more than just a tag. It’s their ticket home, their customized (and cute!) emblem, and a link to their personal digital record. It’s also your way of doing good - not just for your pet, but for the pets in need in your community.

Dogs and cat licences are mandatory in the City of Guelph. In fact, licences are mandatory in nearly every community across North America. Why? Because licences help keep pets and the communities they live in safe.

Since licensing your dogs and cats is a requirement, our goal is to make this process quick, simple, and valuable. Check out the ways you can license your pet below and feel good knowing that licensing revenue funds important initiatives helping to improve your community. To further support these efforts, DocuPet will always donate 20% of designer tag and product sales to our local Safe&Happy Fund partner in the City of Guelph, Guelph Humane Society.

How to License

  • Online
  • In-person
  • Mail
  • Phone

The fastest and easiest way to license or renew is right here. You’ll create a profile for your pet, upload photos, process your licence registration, and receive purchase confirmations via email. Payment can be made using a credit card or Visa/Mastercard debit card and your package will be shipped out next business day. Each year, you just need to log in to your existing account and renew - it’s super easy!

License Now

In person licensing is available at the following location(s) however it’s important to know you will still receive your tag in the mail:

Guelph Humane Society: 190 Hanlon Creek Blvd. Guelph, ON N1C 1C1

Service Guelph: 1 Carden Street, Guelph, ON N1H 3A1

Don’t forget to check hours of operation, appointment policies, and accepted payment methods prior to heading out.

If you wish, you can download the below form and complete it prior to arriving.

Download Registration Form

If you opt to license via snail mail - keep in mind processing your registration will take a lot longer!

Make sure you complete the below form in full and that it is free of any errors otherwise your registration may not be successfully processed. The fine print is there for a reason so keep an eye out for accepted payment methods, who the cheque should be made out to, where it should be mailed, and any required supporting documentation.

Download Registration Form

If you’re having trouble licensing online and need to get your registration processed in a hurry, you can give our customer care team a call and they may be able to process your pet licence over the phone. Note that we can only accept credit cards and Visa/Mastercard debit as payment.

Licence Fees

Pet licences are required for all dogs living in the City of Guelph. They must be renewed every year prior to the expiration date. Licences expire exactly 365 days from the start date of the licence. You will receive reminders from us about upcoming licence expirations via mail, phone, and email.

Licence Fee 2+ Pets
Spayed/Neutered and Microchipped Dog $41.51 $31.13
Spayed/Neutered Dog $51.92 $38.93
Intact Dog $72.73 $54.54
Cat $25.91 $19.43
Licence Fee 2+ Pets
Spayed/Neutered and Microchipped Dog $41.51 $31.13
Spayed/Neutered Dog $51.92 $38.93
Intact Dog $72.73 $55.54
Cat $25.91 $19.43

A replacement municipal tag is available for a $10 fee or at no additional charge when you license your pet.

Licence fees vary based on the spay/neuter status of your pet.

When licensing a Certified Guide or Assistance Dog for the first time, licensing must be done in person. Future renewals may be done online once the status is verified.

A fine up to $150 may be charged for failing to comply.

Licences are required for all dogs over four months of age.

Discounted licence rates are available for dogs and cats with microchips.

Multi-Pet discount is available on all subsequent pets in the same order so long as the licence product is the same on each subsequent pet.

Note that the single pet rate always applies for the first pet, even if licensing multiple pets.

Those eligible for the Affordable Bus Pass Program receive a 50% discount on all pet licensing fees (must be purchased at a vendor location to qualify).

DocuPet Benefits

Found a lost pet?

If the pet is wearing a DocuPet tag, visit our site or their unique web address on the back of the tag, enter the code found on the pet's tag, and gain access to the contact information that pet’s owner has chosen to provide. You may also call our 24/7 dispatch staff at 1-855-249-1370

Is your pet lost?

Don't panic! We're here to help! Log in to your profile and report your pet lost by clicking on their name and then using the "Report Lost" button. Our dedicated staff is immediately alerted and an email will go out with your pet's information to registered members in your community. Log in Now

Account not yet activated? Call us at 1-855-249-1370

What is HomeSafe™?

The HomeSafe™ Lost Pet Service features an online tool that ties your pet's unique tag code to their online profile. This means that if anyone finds your pet, they can easily report them found through our site, and immediately get access to the contact information you have chosen to provide.

Our Found Pet report makes it easy for people to help your pet get home safe. We also have a dedicated dispatch staff that works around the clock, answering phone calls and working with members of the community to help get lost pets home safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

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LICENSING OPTIONS, DATES, AND LOCATIONS

You may renew your pet's license within 45 days of your pet's current license expiration date. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new license will start the day after expiration, not on the date of purchase.

You may license in person at Service Guelph located at 1 Carden St in Guelph.

Licenses are required to be renewed prior to the expiration date each year.

Refunds may be granted for a license if a pet passes or is returned within 30 days of the license purchase.

The City of Guelph provides licensing services for the following areas: City of Guelph

Licenses expire exactly 365 days from the license start date. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new license will start the day after expiration, not on the date of purchase.

All pets over the age of 4 months are required to be licensed. 

Please visit the City of Guelph in person as kennel licensing is not processed through DocuPet. They are located at 1 Carden St in Guelph.

FEES AND FINES

Please visit the City of Guelph in person if you are qualifying for this rate for the first time. Once the team there verifies your designation you will be able to renew online in future years.

Visit this page for licensing options and fees. 

There are no senior rates to license your pet.

Yes, if you are licensing multiple pets at the same time under the same account, you will recieve a discount.

PET INFORMATION AND PROFILES

If you are moving please be sure to update your address by logging into your online account and navigating to your Profile Settings page. Even though you are moving you’ll still be able to keep your pet's tag and access your pet's online account. However, your current license may not be valid in the new community you are moving to. Please get in touch with the pet licensing provider in the new community you are moving to in order to find out more information.

MUNICIPAL INFORMATION AND BYLAWS

The following species are required to be licensed: Dogs and Cats

 

The fine for failing to license a pet is $150.

Please get in touch with the City of Guelph at 519-822-1260.

Unless your dog was obtained prior to DOLA coming into place, the following breeds are banned: Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and American Pit Bull Terriers.

Visit this page for information on licensing bylaws.

DOCUMENT SUBMISSION

Partners typically receive licensing records from third party locations on a monthly basis. Once the licensing records have been picked up a member of your community's licensing team will upload the license record within 14 business days. Please reach out to your community directly to check on the status if you purchased a license and don't see the records reflected in your online account within 60 days of the purchase date.

HELP DESK

Visit our Help Desk for more information: https://docupetinc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us