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Dog Licensing

Chatham-Kent residents are required to purchase a tag for each of their dogs before the end of March each year. Reminders are sent out in February and any tags renewed after the March 31st deadline will be subject to a $10 surcharge.

A Dog tag is required for all dogs over the age of 4 months. Residents may not have more than three dogs per dwelling unit.

Your dog’s tag will allow animal control to contact you if your dog is brought to one of the two municipal shelters.

Dog Tag Fees

  • Unaltered dog: $39.50
  • Spayed/Neutered dog: $29
  • Replacement dog tag: $5.25
  • Late fee if payment made after March 31st: $10
  • Dangerous dog – dog tag: $200

Cat Licensing

Cats do not require licensing but we strongly encourage owners to microchip their cats to maximize their chances at being returned if lost/found.

Microchip

A microchip is a small, electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder that is about the same size as a grain of rice. The microchip itself does not have a battery—it is activated by a scanner that is passed over the area, and the radio-waves put out by the scanner activate the chip. The chip transmits the identification number to the scanner, which displays the number on the screen. The number is then matched with the microchip companies database and the owner can be contacted if the animal was found.

All of our cats and dogs are adopted with a microchip. Though we do not microchip owned pets, we do hold at least one microchip clinic each year for the public to attend with their pets.

Keep an eye on our upcoming events for the next clinic in Chatham-Kent.