You have a lot to do. Work, life… snuggling and playing with your favourite four-legged companions. Who has the time to get a pet licence? You do. It is quick, easy, affordable – and it is one of the kindest gifts you can give not just to your own furry friend, but to local animals in need.
Why do you need to license your pet? Glad you asked! Here are the top 5 reasons why pet licensing is important:
It's the law
Why do we (or should we!) drive the speed limit? Buckle up? Stop at red lights? Because it’s the law. Why license your pets? Because it’s the law. In most jurisdictions, some type of licensing is required for dogs and, sometimes, cats. Some require licensing for other pets, such as pigs. Not sure about your area’s laws? Play it safe: Ask! A quick web search for your local pet licensing program will tell you all you need to know.
It supports your local shelters and animals in need
We know what you're thinking: aren’t licensing fees just a cash grab – a “tax” on top of the many other taxes we already pay everywhere from the pump to the grocery store?
No.
In most instances, the funds from your pet’s license go directly towards supporting animals in your area. These fees cover essentials, such as shelter, food, and vet care for missing, stray, and abandoned pets, 24-hour emergency rescue for animals in need, low- or no-cost spay/neuter programs, and adoption programs.
One in three pets get lost in their lifetimes. If yours happens to be one of them, licensing helps them get back where they belong (i.e. with you!) faster. This not only gives you peace of mind, but it also opens up valuable shelter space to local animals that really need it.
Help your pet get home faster
If your pet is lost, their licence is like a ticket home. A DocuPet licence tag contains critical information that allows rescuers to contact you without delay. If they are taken to a shelter, staff will connect with you quickly. And, if they are found by a kind community member, they may never have to walk through shelter doors at all before they are back in their cozy bed or on your lap.
Help your pet get HomeSafe™
A DocuPet licence comes complete with the HomeSafe™ program. This includes extra support and services designed to help get your pet home safely to you if they are ever lost, such as:
- A 24/7 dispatch staff available to respond to calls and provide assistance to get your furry friend home fast.
- A DocuPet profile that can include additional information that goes beyond what fits on a tag (e.g. alternate people to call if you cannot be reached).
- A DocuPet account that allows you to create a lost pet report with pertinent details (e.g. description, where you last saw them, up-to-date contact information, etc.). You can also renew licences quickly and easily.
DocuPet has helped reunite over 6,000 lost pets with their families. And counting.
The licence is cheaper than the fine
When it comes to the cost of owning a pet, licensing is barely a line item. You will spend far less on a pet licence than you will on food for Fido, vet visits, grooming, or even toys and treats. And you will certainly spend far less on a pet license than you will on the fine for not having one.
In Toronto, for example, it costs only $25 to license your dog for an entire year. The fine for not having a license is a whopping $249.
Build a responsible pet-friendly community
Licensing is a key component of responsible pet ownership and shows you care. This is one of those rare situations in life in which everyone wins: You keep your pet safer and avoid fines; community shelters and services receive vital financial support; and local animals in need get the care (and hope at a furever home) they deserve.
That’s a bargain in every sense of the word.
