Dog Licences

The City of Windsor is pleased to introduce a new voluntary Dog Licensing Program.

For $25 per year, you can register your dog and, when you register online, you’ll also receive a $20 voucher for Ren’s Pets.

Even though licensing is no longer mandatory, there are plenty of good reasons to register your pet:

• Peace of mind: If your dog ever gets lost, a tag makes it easier for them to be returned home quickly and safely.
• Proof of ownership: Registration creates an official record that your dog belongs to you.
• Community support: Part of your licensing fee goes toward funding the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society, helping provide shelter, veterinary care, and adoption services for local animals in need.
• Perks for you: Enjoy exclusive benefits like the Ren’s Pets voucher each year.

Dog ownership in Windsor is still governed by By-law 245-2004. For more information on regulations, responsibilities, and pet ownership in the city, please see the links in the menu for this page.

Every registration helps strengthen the bond between pet owners and the community while also supporting animals that haven’t yet found their forever homes.

Mandatory Registration — New Risk-Based Registration Program (Effective December 2025)

While most dog registration remains voluntary, mandatory registration will apply to dogs with violent or menacing behaviour (as determined by an officer), including those that have bitten or attacked. Here's how this program will work:

• Dogs that pose a public risk will be placed on the Dog-at-Risk Registry maintained by municipal licensing staff.
• Owners of dogs on this registry will be required to pay a $150 annual elevated fee as well as microchip their pet. This is designed both to deter unsafe behaviour and cover administrative costs for managing public safety measures.