Your Licensing Guide
Why License?
With DocuPet, your pet’s licence is much more than just a tag. It’s their ticket home, their customized (and cute!) emblem, and a link to their personal digital record. It’s also your way of doing good - not just for your pet, but for the pets in need in your community.
Dog licences are mandatory in the City of Niagara Falls. In fact, licences are mandatory in nearly every community across North America. Why? Because licences help keep pets and the communities they live in safe.
Since licensing your dogs is a requirement, our goal is to make this process quick, simple, and valuable. Check out the ways you can license your pet below and feel good knowing that licensing revenue funds important initiatives helping to improve your community. To further support these efforts, DocuPet will always donate 20% of designer tag and product sales to our local Safe&Happy Fund partner in the City of Niagara Falls, Niagara SPCA and Humane Society.
Niagara Falls Details & Fees
Pet licences are required for all dogs living in the City of Niagara Falls. They must be renewed every year prior to the expiration date. Licences expire exactly 365 days from the start date of the licence. You will receive reminders from us about upcoming licence expirations via mail, phone, and email.
| Licence Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Fertile Dog | $40.00 |
| Sterilized Dog | $20.00 |
| All voluntary cats | $20.00 |
| Dog Licences | |
|---|---|
| Fertile Dog | $40.00 |
| Sterilized Dog | $20.00 |
| Voluntary Cat | |
|---|---|
| All voluntary cats | $20.00 |
A replacement municipal tag is available for a $10 fee or at no additional charge when you license your pet.
Voluntary cat licences are available in the City of Niagara Falls. Although not required, licensing your cat is a great way to help ensure their safety.
Licence fees vary based on the spay/neuter status of your pet.
When licensing a Certified Guide or Assistance Dog for the first time, licensing must be done in person. Future renewals may be done online once the status is verified.
Frequently Asked Questions
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LICENSING OPTIONS, DATES, AND LOCATIONS
Refunds may be granted for a licence if a pet passes or is returned within 30 days of the licence purchase.
The Niagara SPCA & Humane Society provides licensing services for the following areas: Haldimand County, Town of Lincoln, City of Niagara Falls, City of Welland, Wainfleet Township, West Lincoln Township, Town of Pelham, and City of Port Colborne
- Halidmand County: All licences expire each year on December 31st. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new licence will still start on January 1st.
- Lincoln: All licences expire each year on December 31st. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new licence will still start on January 1st.
- Niagara Falls: Licences expire exactly 365 days from the licence start date. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new licence will start the day after expiration, not on the date of purchase.
- Pelham: All licences expire each year on December 31st. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new licence will still start on January 1st.
- Port Colborne: All licences expire each year on December 31st. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new licence will still start on January 1st.
- Wainfleet: All licences expire each year on December 31st. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new licence will still start on January 1st.
- Welland: All licences expire each year on December 31st. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new licence will still start on January 1st.
- West Lincoln: All licences expire each year on December 31st. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new licence will still start on January 1st.
Partners typically receive licensing records from third party locations on a monthly basis. Once the licensing records have been picked up a member of your community's licensing team will upload the license record within 14 business days. Please reach out to your community directly to check on the status if you purchased a license and don't see the records reflected in your online account within 60 days of the purchase date.
Please visit the Niagara SPCA & Humane Society in person as kennel licensing is not processed through DocuPet. They are located at 60 Provincial St. in Welland.
You may license in person at the Niagara SPCA & Humane Society located at 60 Provincial St. in Welland.
It makes sense to renew your pet's licence early! You may renew your pet's licence within 60 days of your pet's current licence expiration date. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new licence will start the day after expiration, not on the date of purchase.
Licences are required to be renewed prior to the expiration date each year.
FEES AND FINES
Visit this page for licensing options and fees.
Late fees vary for each licensing community. Please visit this page for more informaiton on licensing fees in your community.
A fine for failing to licence your pet varies for each licensing community. Please visit this page for more informaiton on fines in your community.
No, there is no discount for licensing multiple pets. Each pet will be charged the appropriate licensing fee.
Please visit the Niagara SPCA & Humane Society in person if you are qualifying for this rate for the first time. Once the team there verifies your designation you will be able to renew online in future years.
Please visit the Niagara SPCA & Humane Society in person if you are qualifying for this rate for the first time. They are located at 60 Provincial St. in Welland. Once the team there verifies your designation you will be able to renew online in future years.
PET INFORMATION AND PROFILES
If you are moving please be sure to update your address by logging into your online account and navigating to your Profile Settings page. Even though you are moving you’ll still be able to keep your pet's tag and access your pet's online account. However, your current licence may not be valid in the new community you are moving to. Please get in touch with the pet licensing provider in the new community you are moving to in order to find out more information.
MUNICIPAL INFORMATION AND BYLAWS
Please get in touch with Niagara SPCA & Humane Society at 905-735-1552.
Unless your dog was obtained prior to DOLA coming into place, the following breeds are banned: Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and American Pit Bull Terriers.
Pet limits vary for each licensing community. Please visit this page for more informaiton on pet limits in your community.
- Halidmand County: visit this page for information on licensing bylaws
- Lincoln: visit this page for information on licensing bylaws
- Niagara Falls: visit this page for information on licensing bylaws
- Pelham: visit this page for information on licensing bylaws
- Port Colborne: visit this page for information on licensing bylaws
- Wainfleet: visit this page for information on licensing bylaws
- Welland: visit this page for information on licensing bylaws
- West Lincoln: visit this page for information on licensing bylaws
The following species are required to be licensed:
- Haldimand County: Dogs
- Lincoln: Dogs
- Niagara Falls: Dogs
- Pelham: Dogs
- Port Colborne: Dogs
- Wainfleet: Dogs
- Welland: Dogs and cats
- West Lincoln: Dogs
HELP DESK
Visit our DocuPet Help Desk for more information.