Critter Chatter

Print

E-mail

Text

Dear Critter Chatter:

I was told by my daughter that I have to get a licence for my dog. I am a senior who used to live in Scarborough and I thought I had a "lifetime" license for Holly, my cocker spaniel. Holly is spayed and was microchipped at the shelter when I adopted her in 1998. Do I still have to get a Toronto dog licence? When I bought my licence I thought the papers said that it was good for life. My daughter insists that I need to get one or I could be fined. Is this true?

Confused in North York

 

Dear Reader:

Prior to amalgamation, the former cities of Scarborough, Toronto, North York and Etobicoke offered a lifetime licence for all owners of dogs and cats that were microchipped, spayed or neutered, and registered. At the time, lifetime licences were offered to all pet owners, not just to seniors. When Scarborough, North York, Toronto, York, East York and Etobicoke amalgamated, pet owners with lifetime licenses in Scarborough, Toronto and Etobicoke prior to July 1, 1999 were grandfathered. After amalgamation a consolidated fee structure was introduced and the sale of lifetime licenses was discontinued.

If you are unsure whether your lifetime tag is recognized by the City of Toronto, you can bring the tag and the supporting documents to the East Region Animal Centre at 821 Progress Ave. Provided the lifetime tag can be confirmed, it will be replaced with a City of Toronto tag free of charge and the annual license fee will be waived. Lifetime tags are valid only for the duration of the pet's life and are not transferable.

Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 349 requires that all dogs and cats in the City of Toronto be licensed and wear a city-issued tag. Discounts apply for seniors owners as well as for dogs and cats that are spayed or neutered. If convicted, fines start at $240 to a maximum of $5,000.

The new license/registration fee structure is as follows:

Dogs

Male/female unaltered, $60; male/female sterilized, $25; personal assistance dogs, no fee; male/female unaltered dog of a senior citizen, $30; male/female altered dog of a senior citizen, $12.50.

Cats

Male/female unaltered, $50; male/female sterilized, $15; male/female unaltered cat of a senior citizen, $25; male/female altered cat of a senior citizen, $7.50.

Replacement tags are $3 (plus appropriate taxes) for both dogs and cats. Personal assistance dog licenses are free if a certificate is produced from a recognized organization such as The Canadian National Institute for the Blind or Hearing Ear Dogs of Canada. If you declare that your animal has been sterilized, you will be required to provide documentation or contact information for the veterinary clinic.

To purchase or renew visit online at www.toronto.ca/epet; call 416-338-PETS (7387) 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday; in person visit Toronto Animal Centres daily from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (closed statutory holidays); by mail to Toronto Animal Services, 35 Spadina Rd., Toronto, ON, M5R 2S9.

Licensing fees go directly toward:

- providing a spay/neuter program

- rescuing sick, injured and/or distressed domestic animals and wildlife

- providing veterinary services to shelter animals

- returning lost pets to their homes

- food, shelter and sterilizing

- adoption

- keeping neighbourhoods safe for people and pets

- investigating animal care issues

- providing community education programs

For more information, visit www.toronto.ca/animalservices.