Your Licensing Guide

Why License?

In accordance with local laws, pet licences are mandatory in the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. 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. DocuPet was brought on board to simplify and improve pet licensing to benefit not only pet owners like you, but the entire community. DocuPet makes it easy for the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake to deliver a successful pet licensing program with a streamlined software and management solution that makes licensing a breeze for pet owners and administrators alike.

Check out the ways you can license your pet below and feel good knowing that 100% of licensing revenue funds are given to the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake to support important animal welfare initiatives helping to improve your community.

What will you need?

Licensing your pet will require specific information and proof. Having these items at the ready allows for the fastest experience. You have the option to upload a document as a saved or scanned file, or you may take a photo directly from your device on our upload page.

Payment

We securely process payment online and accept all major credit and debit cards as forms of payment.

Documents

Spay/Neuter proof example

Spay/neuter certificate

This document is required to qualify for the discounted rate and is only needed once and will be saved to your pet’s profile upon upload for future renewals. This proof declaring that your pet has been spayed or neutered may be in the form of a statement or receipt from the veterinarian, shelter, or clinic that performed the procedure.

Rabies proof example

Rabies vaccination proof

This document serves as formal proof that your pet has received a rabies vaccination. This document may be in the form of a Rabies Vaccination Certificate that has been signed by a veterinarian or certified professional. It is the law that pets must be up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations, so new documents will need to be uploaded to your pets profile as they receive their booster shots.

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 any necessary documents, process your licence registration, and receive purchase confirmations via email. Payment can be made using a credit card or Visa/Mastercard debit card. Each year, you just need to log in to your existing account and renew - it’s super easy!

Renew my pet's licence

My pet has a licence, but it has expired or will very soon.

Renew now

License a pet for the first time

I've never licensed a pet with the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake before.

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:

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

Niagara-on-the-Lake Administration Office:
1593 Four Mile Creek Rd., Virgil, ON L0S 1T0

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 check should be made out to, where it should be mailed, and any required supporting documentation.

Pet licence form

Download Application Form

If you’re having trouble licensing online and need to get your registration processed in a hurry, you can contact our customer care team and they may be able to process your pet licence over the phone. Note that you must have up to date spay/neuter or rabies documents on file and we can only accept credit cards and Visa/Mastercard debit as payment.

DocuPet Customer Care: 1-855-249-1370
Hours of Operation: Monday-Saturday (excluding holidays) from 9:00am-9:00pm EST

Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Details & Fees

Pet licences are required for all dogs living in the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake . 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.

Dog Licences Fee Late Fee
Spayed/Neutered Dog $14.00 $10.00
Intact Dog $24.00 $10.00
Spayed/Neutered Dog
Fee $14.00
Late Fee $10.00
Intact Dog
Fee $24.00
Late Fee $10.00

A replacement the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake tag is available for a $2.25 fee or at no additional charge when you license your pet.

A valid rabies certificate is required to complete the licensing process. You must upload or present your certificates at time of purchase.

A spay/neuter certificate is required to qualify for the discounted rate.

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

Late fees apply 30 days following licence expiration.

Residents of the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake are allowed to own a maximum of 3 dogs.

Licences are required for all dogs over 6 Months of age.

Kennel licences are not processed through DocuPet. Please contact the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

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LICENSING OPTIONS, DATES, AND LOCATIONS

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

Please visit the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake in person as kennel licensing is not processed through DocuPet. They are located at 1593 Four Mile Creek Rd. in Virgil. 

It makes sense to renew your pet's licence early! You may renew your pet's licence within 60 days of your pet's current licence expiration date. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new licence will start the day after expiration, not on the date of purchase.

You may license in person at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Adminstration Office located at 1593 Four Mile Creek Rd. in Virgil.

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

You may have entered your address incorrectly or we may not have your address in the address database for your community. Please double-check all spelling and ensure you are using the abbreviated form for your street type ex. St instead of Street. You may contact the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake directly if you believe you reside within their jurisdiction but your address is not being accepted by the system.

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake provides licensing services for the following areas: Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake

FEES AND FINES

Please visit the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake 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.

Late fees come into effect if a licence is not renewed within 30 days of the original expiration date.

No, there is no discount for licensing multiple pets. Each pet will be charged the appropriate licensing fee. 

Visit this page for licensing options and fees. 

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 licence 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

You are allowed for a maximum of 3 dogs per dwelling.

Visit this page for information on licensing bylaws. 

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.

Please get in touch with the Humane Soceity of Greater Niagara at 905-682-0767.

DOCUMENT SUBMISSION

Documentation uploaded via the online system is reviewed within 1 to 2 business days.

To licence your pet, you will be required to show proof that the pet's rabies vaccination is current. Documentation is also required to verify that a pet has been spayed or neutered and must be provided in order to receive the discounted rate. Requiring documentation ensures that provided pet information is accurate, which is critical for identification and safety reasons.

A valid rabies proof is required to purchase a pet license. Proof of spay/neuter is required to receive the discounted altered rates.

If you can’t locate the document you received after the procedure was done, you will need to contact your vet to obtain your pet's records. Be sure to specify any and all pets you require documentation for.
Once you’ve got the paperwork in your hands, take a look to ensure:

  • The document provided is the right type of proof required.
  • Pet and pet owner account data matches your own.
  • The document is clear and legible.

A rabies proof is required to prove that your pet has been vaccinated against rabies. A rabies proof identifying your pet as spayed/neutered or a spay/neuter proof may be accepted as documentation of sterilization.

To licence your pet, you will be required to show proof that the pet's rabies vaccination is current. Documentation is also required to verify that a pet has been spayed or neutered and must be provided in order to receive the discounted rate. Requiring documentation ensures that provided pet information is accurate, which is critical for identification and safety reasons.

If your pet is rabies exempt, please visit the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake in person to to qualify for rabies exemption.

HELP DESK

Visit our DocuPet Help Desk for more information.