By law, all pets that live in Kingston must be registered with the city. It is a very easy, fairly inexpensive process, and the city has made it so you can do everything from home on your computer! If a by-law officer asks to see a pet license and you are unable to produce one, they could fine you up to $240!
By registering your pet through Docupet (the company that Kingston uses), you ensure that if your pet was to get out and be found. The tag will serve as ID and help get your pet home quicker! Also, the money that is spent on registering your pet gets put towards community initiatives. The Docupet website also has a place where you can register your pet as missing, which broadcasts a message to those registered in the city. Which would hopefully help get them found as soon as possible!
Your membership includes a tag (small or large) – you can choose either the basic tag or choose from their selection of designer tags!
The first step to get your pet registered is to go to the DocuPet website. From there, you can click on the “Get a New Pet Tag.” The membership is annual and needs to be renewed each year. Your first year, if your pet is very young (under six months), or already spayed/neutered is FREE!
Annual fees differ based on numerous factors. For example, if your pet is microchipped, they offer a discount! The fees differ if your pet is spayed/neutered or intact, age and the fees are different for cats and dogs.
Registering online is super fast, convenient, and simple! If you are not interested in ordering online, you can register by phone at 1-855-249-1370. You can also register in person at Kingston Humane Society, City Hall, Pet Valu, or Urban Paws. Once you have completed your registration and paid any necessary fees, your tag(s) will be sent to you by mail and should arrive within 10-12 business days.
Once you have your account, you’re good to go! The licensing system works by remembering the date you registered instead of going by a month in the year. That means you pay for your renewal at the same time every year. Don’t worry—they will email you to remind you to renew in time! Each year, you can decide whether to keep the tag you have or order a new one.
If you have any questions about pet licensing or how it works, you can either call the clinic or check out the Docupet website!
Written by: Emily Beach, RVT