Pet Licensing
& Identification in Quebec

What Quebec rules actually require

Across Quebec, dogs must be registered every year with the municipality where they live, and they must wear the municipal tag at all times.

Cat rules depend on the city. Some municipalities require cat registration and microchipping. When local rules are stricter than provincial minimums, the stricter rule applies.

Microchipping is not mandatory province-wide, but it is required in several major cities, and it is mandatory for dogs declared "potentially dangerous."

Why identification matters

Reuniting lost pets

When a pet is found and brought to animal services, a shelter, or a vet clinic, they scan for a microchip. But only if the chip is registered and the contact details are current. A microchip with an old phone number is useless.

Avoiding fines

Under Quebec’s provincial dog framework, fines for infractions range from $250 to $20,000, and can double for dogs declared potentially dangerous. In Montreal, an unlicensed dog gets you a minimum $300 fine plus $146 in admin fees.

Proving ownership

Identification helps prove you’re the pet’s guardian, especially when it matches your municipal registration and vet records. Keep your paperwork (adoption contract, vet invoices, municipal registration). A microchip alone doesn’t always prove legal ownership.

Identification methods

Microchip

A tiny electronic implant (about the size of a grain of rice) placed under the skin and read with a scanner. It’s permanent, but it’s not a GPS and can’t track your pet’s location.

• Permanent and tamper-proof
• Readable by any shelter or vet clinic
• Required by law in Montreal, Laval, and Quebec City (cats)
• Must be registered in a database with current contact info

Recommended for all pets, even where not mandatory

Municipal tag (médaille)

A metal tag with a unique number issued by your municipality when you register. The municipality links the number to your contact information.

• Visible right away, no scanner needed
• Required for dogs province-wide
• Some cities exempt microchipped cats from wearing it
• Does not replace microchipping where microchipping is required

Mandatory for dogs across Quebec

Note: The rabies vaccination tag from some vet clinics is not the same as the municipal identification tag.

aZoo.me ID

An ID card plus a laser-engraved aluminum tag with a unique ID number, linked to your pet’s online profile and search system.

• QR code scannable by any phone
• Full online profile with photos and medical info
• Lost pet alerts notify members within 5 km and shelters within 50 km

Works alongside your microchip + municipal tag

Fees in major Quebec cities

Fees and requirements change, so treat this table as a starting point. All prices in CAD.

City	Dog	Cat	Microchip Required
Montreal	$31.80/yr	$13.60/yr	Yes (dogs + cats 6+ months)
Quebec City	$39/yr	$13/yr	Cats only
Laval	$20/yr	$10/yr	Yes (dogs + cats 6+ months)
Gatineau	$37–48/yr	$37–48/yr	Varies by local bylaw
Longueuil	$30–35/yr	$5–10/yr	Varies by local bylaw
Saguenay	$40–50/yr	$20–30/yr	No (recommended)

* Rates may vary by sterilization status and year. Check with your municipality.

How to identify your pet

1. Handle municipal licensing first

Register your dog with your municipality every year, pay the fees, and keep the municipal tag on the collar. If your city requires cat registration, do the same.

2. Microchip your pet

Get it done at a vet clinic ($80–$100) or a subsidized clinic ($37–$38 in Quebec City). It’s mandatory in Montreal, Laval, and Quebec City (cats), and a good idea everywhere else.

3. Register the microchip and keep details current

A microchip is useless if the registry still has your old phone number or address. Update your info after every move.

4. Create your free aZoo.me account

Add your pet’s IDs (microchip number, municipal tag number, tattoo) to your aZoo.me profile. Registration is free.

5. Optional: add the aZoo.me ID card + tag

An extra visible identifier that links to your pet’s online profile. If your pet goes missing, report it on aZoo.me to alert nearby members and affiliated shelters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is microchipping mandatory in Quebec?

Not province-wide for all pets. Dogs must be registered annually with their municipality. Some municipalities also require microchipping: Montreal and Laval for all cats and dogs 6+ months, Quebec City for cats. It is mandatory province-wide for dogs declared potentially dangerous.

Does a microchip replace the municipal tag?

No. Provincial guidance treats municipal registration (and the tag) and microchipping as separate requirements. You need both where both are required.

How much does microchipping cost?

A typical vet clinic charges $80–$100+. Subsidized clinics (like Quebec City’s public clinics) offer it for around $37–$38 including registration. Some shelters include microchipping in adoption fees.

Does the rabies vaccination tag count as official ID?

No. Some vet clinics issue a rabies tag, but it’s not the same as the mandatory municipal identification tag.

My pet already has a microchip. Do I still need to register it?

Yes. The chip number needs to be linked to you in a database, and you need to keep your contact details current so shelters and clinics can reach you.

What should I do if I find a lost pet?

Check the collar for a municipal tag or contact info. If there’s nothing, bring the pet to a shelter or vet clinic to scan for a microchip. You can also search on aZoo.me with any ID number (card, medal, microchip) to reach the owner directly.

Is aZoo.me free?

Yes. Creating an account and adding your pets costs nothing. The physical aZoo.me ID card and engraved tag are optional purchases.