Microchipping Your Pet
The Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about microchipping in Quebec: procedure, cost, legal requirements, and registration.
It is also often misunderstood. A microchip is not a GPS. It does not replace your municipality’s permit or tag. And it only works if the chip number is linked to your current contact information.
What a microchip actually is
A microchip is a tiny electronic identifier, about the size of a grain of rice, placed under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades.
When a shelter, vet clinic, or animal services officer scans the pet, the scanner reads the chip number. That number is then checked in a registry to find the owner’s contact information.
A few practical points matter:
- The chip itself only contains an ID number.
- It does not show your pet’s location.
- It does not need a battery.
- It is meant to stay in place for your pet’s life.
What Quebec law says
There is no single province-wide rule that requires every cat and dog in Quebec to be microchipped.
What is true is this:
- Dogs declared potentially dangerous must be microchipped under Quebec’s provincial dog rules.
- Municipalities can adopt stricter rules than the provincial minimum.
- As of March 21, 2026, Montreal and Laval require microchipping for cats and dogs over 6 months old.
- As of March 21, 2026, Quebec City requires cats to be microchipped.
Rules change, and municipal by-laws can be stricter than the provincial minimum. Always check your own city before relying on a general guide.
Microchip does not replace municipal registration
This is where people get tripped up.
In Quebec, dog owners must register their dog with their municipality. Some cities also require cat registration. Your city may issue a tag or permit, and that is separate from the microchip.
Think of it this way:
- The municipal tag is visible and helps your city identify the animal quickly.
- The microchip is permanent and can still identify the animal if the collar is gone.
In some cities, a microchipped cat may not have to wear the municipal tag at all times. In others, the tag still matters. Check the local rule instead of assuming.
How the procedure works
Microchipping is quick. It is usually done with a needle, much like a vaccine. Most pets tolerate it well, and it normally does not require anesthesia.
Quebec government guidance recommends that implantation be done by a veterinarian, or under veterinary supervision.
If your pet is being adopted from a shelter or rescue, ask whether the chip is already implanted. Many adopted pets already have one.
What to ask for after implantation
Do not leave the clinic or shelter with only a verbal confirmation.
Ask for:
- the microchip number
- written proof that the chip was implanted
- the name of the registry or database linked to that chip
- confirmation that your own contact details were entered correctly
If you adopted the pet, make sure the chip is transferred into your name. A chip still registered to a previous owner or shelter is a problem waiting to happen.
The step people forget
A microchip without up-to-date registration is close to useless.
If you move, change phone numbers, or transfer the pet to a new owner, update the registry right away. Also update any municipal registration tied to the animal.
It is smart to keep the chip number in more than one place:
- your vet file
- your adoption paperwork
- your municipal file, if your city asks for it
- your own records at home
You can also add the microchip number, municipal tag number, and photos to your free aZoo.me profile so you have all of your pet’s IDs in one place. That is useful as an extra record, but it does not replace the chip registry or your municipal registration.
How much it costs
Prices vary by clinic and city.
In practice, you may see:
- a regular veterinary clinic fee
- a lower-cost municipal or community clinic
- microchipping included in a shelter adoption fee
The cheapest option is not always the best option if the paperwork is sloppy. What matters most is that the chip is implanted properly, the number is recorded correctly, and the registration is completed.
Common mistakes
These are the mistakes that cause real problems later:
- assuming the chip is already registered in your name
- forgetting to update the registry after a move
- losing the chip certificate
- thinking the microchip replaces the municipal permit
- posting the microchip number publicly when the pet is lost
If your pet goes missing, share the fact that the pet is microchipped, but do not publish the full chip number in public posts.
FAQ
Is microchipping mandatory in Quebec?
Not for every pet across the whole province. Province-wide, it is mandatory for dogs declared potentially dangerous. Some municipalities go further. Montreal and Laval require it for cats and dogs over 6 months old, and Quebec City requires it for cats.
Is a microchip a GPS tracker?
No. A microchip cannot track your pet in real time. It only works when someone scans it with a reader.
Does a microchip replace the municipal tag?
Usually no. They serve different purposes. Your city may require both.
Does it hurt?
For most pets, it is similar to a routine injection. There may be brief discomfort, but it is generally quick and well tolerated.
What age can a pet be microchipped?
That depends on the animal and the clinic’s protocol, but puppies and kittens are often chipped young, especially in shelters. Ask your veterinarian what makes sense for your pet.
My adopted pet already has a chip. Am I done?
Not yet. Confirm the chip number, confirm the registry, and make sure the registration is actually in your name with your current phone number and address.