If you have recently moved to Edmonton or realized that your pet does not have a valid license, it is important to understand the seriousness of the situation and develop a plan of action. Contrary to what many people think, not registering your pet in Edmonton is not just an administrative oversight, but a potential legal and financial problem that can result in fines, loss of valuable benefits, and, in the worst case, difficulties in returning your pet home if it gets lost. This guide details how to rectify the situation and prevent problems in the future.
Understanding the issue: why pet registration is so important
Before looking at the specific steps for registering your pet, it is helpful to understand why Edmonton takes licensing so seriously. The annual cost of a license for a spayed or neutered dog is only $37, and for a spayed or neutered cat is $22, but the fine for keeping an unlicensed animal is $250. This means that the fine is more than six times the cost of a one-year license for a dog and more than ten times the cost for a cat. City officials view licensing as a critical part of the animal protection system, which allows lost pets to be reunited with their families every year.
A license is not just a piece of paper or a tag. It is your direct line of communication between a found animal and you. When Animal Care & Control officers find an animal on the street, the first thing they do is check for a license tag on the collar. The tag contains a number that a Good Samaritan or officer can use to contact the center and let them know who you are. If your pet does not have a tag or the license has expired, the chances of a quick return are significantly reduced, even if your pet has a microchip. A microchip requires a special scanner, which is not always used by people who find animals on the street.
Immediate steps: registering your pet
If you realize that your pet is not registered in Edmonton, the first step is to register it as soon as possible. The fastest way to do this is to go to the Edmonton eServices website at edmonton.ca/licenseyourpet. The online registration process only takes a few minutes if you have all the necessary information. You will need the following details about your pet: approximate or exact date of birth, whether your pet has been spayed or neutered, primary and secondary breeds, primary markings, and primary and secondary colors. If your pet has a microchip or tattoo, you will also need the chip or tattoo number.
In addition, you will need personal identification. During registration, you will need your last name, first name, primary phone number, and Edmonton address.
It is important to have up-to-date contact information, as this is key information for returning your pet if it gets lost. If you have recently moved, make sure you use your current address.
For online registration, you will need a credit or debit card for payment. The cost depends on whether your pet has been spayed or neutered. For dogs, a spayed dog costs $37 per year, while an unspayed dog costs $77. For cats, a spayed cat costs $22, and an unspayed cat costs $77. In addition, as of 2026, the city council has approved a gradual price increase of one dollar per year for three years, so these prices will rise to $40 for a spayed dog and $25 for a spayed cat by 2028.
An important point during online registration: some browsers, especially Safari, may have problems processing payments on the eServices platform. Users report situations where the payment appeared to be successful, a confirmation number appeared, but in fact the funds were not debited from the credit card. This results in the city not receiving payment and you receiving a late payment notice. To avoid this issue, it is recommended to use Google Chrome, which provides the best compatibility with the platform. After payment, always check your credit card statement a few days later to ensure that the transaction was successfully processed.
Alternative registration methods
If you are having trouble registering online or do not have access to the internet, you have two other options: by mail or in person at the Animal Care & Control Centre.
To register by mail, you must send the completed application form along with a check for the license fee made payable to “The City of Edmonton.” The form can be downloaded from edmonton.ca or obtained from the Animal Care & Control Centre. It is important to ensure that all written text is accurate and easy to read, as errors may result in processing delays. Postdated checks are not accepted, so the check must be valid at the time of receipt by the city. Send the form and check to the Animal Care & Control Centre at 13550 - 163 Street, Edmonton, AB T5V 0B2 or to the Sustainable Development office. It is important to factor in mailing time, as the application must be received before the date you want the license to be active.
The most direct way to register is to visit the Animal Care & Control Centre in person. The centre is located at 13550 - 163 Street, Edmonton, AB T5V 0B2 and is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (closed on Sundays). When you visit in person, you can pay for your license with a credit or debit card or a check. The advantage of applying in person is that you receive immediate confirmation that your license has been processed and is active. You can also ask staff questions if anything is unclear and update any information in your account during your visit. In addition, if your pet does not have a microchip, you can sign up for free microchipping as part of your license when you visit the center in person.
Special situations: when in-person registration is required
Certain categories of owners must apply in person at the Animal Care & Control Centre, even if they have internet access. If you receive Income Assistance from a recognized government program, you must apply in person with documents confirming your status. Acceptable documents include an AISH card (Assistance for Individuals with Severe Disabilities program), a Social Assistance Statement, or other government documents showing your name and confirming that you are an active recipient of assistance. The discount for people receiving social assistance significantly reduces the cost of the license, so it is worth taking advantage of this program if you meet the criteria.
If your animal is classified as a “restricted dog” or “nuisance dog,” you must also apply in person. Restricted dogs have special requirements, including mandatory liability insurance of at least one million dollars. If you are the owner of a restricted dog without the required insurance, you will need to resolve this issue before registering. Owners of restricted dogs are also required to keep their animals accompanied, using a muzzle and a leash no longer than two meters when leaving the house.
If you have a guide dog or certified service dog that would be eligible for a full license fee exemption, you must also submit a personal application with a Service Dog Identification Card issued by the Alberta government. It is important to understand that only fully certified guide dogs and service dogs are eligible for the exemption. Dogs in training or emotional support animals are not recognized as service dogs in Alberta and do not receive this benefit.
If your animal was caught without a license
If your animal was caught by Animal Care & Control officers without a license, you need to act quickly. The first step is to contact the Animal Care & Control Centre at 311 or 780-442-5311 to find out if your animal is with them. If it is, you will need to visit the centre to retrieve your animal.
When you arrive at the center to pick up your pet, you will need to pay several fees. First, there is a boarding fee: the first day costs $25, and each subsequent day costs $15. If your pet has been at the center for three days, you will owe $55 just for boarding. Second, you will need to purchase the license itself if you do not already have one. Also, keep in mind that because your animal was not licensed, you lose the benefit of “one free return home” each year. In other words, if your animal runs away again within the same year, you will have to pay the holding fees again. The fine for keeping an unlicensed animal is $250, although this fine may be imposed separately from the impoundment fee.
The impoundment must also determine whether you will be fined. If an Animal Control officer impounded you on the street with an unlicensed animal, you may be issued a citation. If this fine is issued, you have two options: pay the fine or appeal it to the city. If you believe the fine was issued improperly, you can contact the city with a written explanation. However, it will be critical to keep evidence that the animal was registered prior to this date.
Preventing this problem from recurring
The best way to avoid problems in the future is to set up a reminder system for license renewal. Although the city sends paper reminders by mail a few weeks before the license expires, these reminders are sometimes lost or arrive late. It is recommended that you set a reminder on your phone one month before the license expiration date. This one simple step will allow you to plan for renewal ahead of time and avoid late fees.
It is also critical to update your contact information in the city's system if you move, change your phone number, or email address. This can be done for free through the eServices.edmonton.ca platform in a few minutes. Up-to-date contact information is your best guarantee that you will receive a call if someone finds your pet. Even if your pet has a microchip, if the information in the database is out of date, you will not be able to be located and your pet will remain in the shelter until you call the city center.
If you are confident that you will remain in Edmonton for the next two years and your pet is already spayed or neutered, consider purchasing a two-year license. It costs only twice the price of a one-year license, which means you can forget about having to think about renewing for two years. A two-year license for a spayed or neutered dog is $74, and for a spayed or neutered cat, it is $44. This gives you peace of mind knowing that you are compliant for a longer period of time.
Financial hardship: assistance programs for owners on a limited budget
If you are having financial difficulty paying for your license, it is important to know that there are assistance programs designed to ensure that the cost of licensing does not exclude low-income individuals from responsible pet ownership. Edmonton offers several ways to reduce the cost of licensing for vulnerable populations.
If you are a senior citizen aged 65 or older, you are eligible for a discount on the license for one spayed or neutered animal. The process for obtaining this discount is simple: when filling out the online registration form, there is a special field where you confirm that you are 65 years of age or older. No official documents confirming your age are required for online registration — you simply sign a sworn statement. However, if it turns out that you have provided false information, this may result in fines.
If you receive social assistance from a recognized government program, you are also eligible for a significantly reduced license fee. Since 2026, this discount has been significantly expanded: it now applies to all pets in the household, not just one. This means that if you have two or three animals, you will receive a discount on each of them. Previously, this system forced families to choose which animal to license at a reduced price and which to pay the full price for or risk a fine. Now this is no longer a problem.
To receive this discount, you must apply in person at the Animal Care & Control Centre with documents proving your status as a social assistance recipient. Acceptable documents include your AISH card, social assistance statement, or other government documents that show your name and confirm your active recipient status. The centre's staff will check your documents and issue a licence at a reduced price.
In addition to discount programmes for the licence itself, there is also the PALS (Prevent Another Litter Subsidy) programme from the Edmonton Humane Society, which helps low-income Edmontonians spay or neuter their animals. The PALS program only charges an administrative fee of $40 per animal, which is significantly lower than the usual cost of the procedure at private clinics, which is $300-400. If you spay or neuter your pet through this program, the cost of your annual license will be significantly reduced, as a spayed or neutered pet costs much less to license than an unspayed or unneutered pet. The one-time fee of $40 will pay for itself within a few years through savings on licenses.
Sterilization as a long-term solution
If your pet is not sterilized, spaying or neutering is one of the most important things you can do not only for your pet's health, but also to reduce the cost of licensing. The difference in license cost between a sterilized and unsterilized animal is significant. For dogs, the difference is $40 per year ($37 for spayed versus $77 for unspayed). For cats, the difference is even more pronounced—$55 per year ($22 for spayed versus $77 for unspayed).
This price difference creates a significant incentive for owners to have the surgery performed. Even if a private clinic charges $200 to $400 for sterilization, the difference in license fees means that the surgery will pay for itself in five to ten years. However, if you are on a limited budget, the PALS program makes it even more affordable. Some veterinary clinics also offer discount programs for low-income animals, especially if you can provide proof of participation in a social assistance program.
In addition to the economic motivation, sterilization is important for the animal itself. Unsterilized animals are at increased risk for certain types of cancer and other medical problems. In addition, a spayed or neutered animal is less prone to behavioral problems, making it easier to keep.
Free microchipping program
One of the most valuable benefits you get from licensing your pet is access to a free microchipping program that the city calls “Don't Skip the Chip.” If your pet does not already have a microchip, this is critically important. At private veterinary clinics, microchip implantation can cost anywhere from $50 to $200 depending on the clinic, so this service is a significant value.
A microchip is a tiny electronic device about the size of a grain of rice that is implanted under the animal's skin between the shoulder blades with a short injection. The procedure takes only a few minutes and causes minimal discomfort to the animal. Unlike a tag on a collar, a microchip is a permanent form of identification that remains with the animal for life. If your pet runs away and its collar with a tag breaks, the microchip will provide a second level of identification.
To take advantage of this program, you need to make an appointment at the Animal Care & Control Center, show proof of ownership of the animal, and ensure that your city license is valid. The staff will perform a simple implantation procedure, and your pet will have a permanent form of identification. If your pet already has a microchip, you still get the benefits of licensing because the city database links your license number to the microchip number, creating an additional layer of identification and ensuring quick registration when the system links the microchip to your contact information.
Contacts and resources for registration
There are several ways to contact city officials to register your pet or obtain licensing information. The most convenient way for most people is to call 311 from any phone within Edmonton or 780-442-5311 from outside the city. The 311 staff handles pet licensing issues and can answer your questions about the registration process, costs, and special programs.
To register online, go to edmonton.ca/licenseyourpet, where you will find a link to the eServices platform and can fill out the form online. If you have questions about filling out the form or need personal assistance, you can always visit the Animal Care & Control Centre in person at 13550 - 163 Street, Edmonton, AB T5V 0B2. The centre is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Conclusion: Act quickly to avoid bigger problems
If your pet is not currently registered in Edmonton, it's time to act quickly. Registration only takes a few minutes online, is inexpensive compared to the fine, and will give you peace of mind knowing that your pet is protected by the city's lost pet return program. Whether you choose to register online, by mail, or in person, the most important thing is to apply as soon as possible. Every day your pet is unregistered is a risk that it could get lost without the necessary identification or be caught by an officer and put you through an expensive return process.
For those facing financial hardship, don't let that prevent you from registering. Discount programs for seniors and those receiving social assistance make licensing affordable for everyone. If spaying or neutering is an issue, the PALS program allows you to do so with a small administrative fee. The long-term savings on licenses and the benefits of microchipping make it worth going this route.
Finally, set up a license renewal reminder system on your phone, keep your contact information up to date, and consider a two-year license if you are confident in your long-term plans. These simple steps will ensure that your pet is always protected by Edmonton's lost pet return system and that you avoid costly fines and problems in the future. Licensing your pet is not just a legal requirement; it is an investment in your pet's safety and your peace of mind.