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Dog registration and risk-based fees in Windsor
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Windsor, Ontario, Canada: Windsor registration is voluntary for most dogs and costs $25 a year. Dogs placed on the city’s Dog-at-Risk Registry must register, pay $150
Key information
Windsor registration is voluntary for most dogs and costs $25 a year. Dogs placed on the city’s Dog-at-Risk Registry must register, pay $150 annually and be microchipped.
On this page
The ordinary voluntary program
The city’s current program is voluntary for most dogs. Annual registration costs $25. An online registration includes a $20 Ren’s Pets voucher. The city says part of the fee supports the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society.
A tag can help return a lost dog and registration creates an official ownership record. These benefits do not change the owner’s responsibilities under By-law 245-2004.
The mandatory risk registry
The risk-based program took effect in December 2025. An officer determines whether violent or menacing behaviour, including biting or attacking, places a dog on the Dog-at-Risk Registry.
Owners of registered at-risk dogs must pay the elevated $150 annual fee and microchip the dog. Do not treat the ordinary voluntary program as an exemption from these requirements.
Use current forms
Some older city application documents still describe mandatory annual licensing. The current program page states that ordinary registration is voluntary and explains the separate risk registry. Use the current city service page to begin, and ask Licensing about an individual dog’s status rather than relying on an older form.
Apply online, in person or by mail
Use the city’s dog-licence e-service for online registration. You can create a MyWindsor account, sign in with Google, or continue without an account. An account lets you see past applications and update information for renewals.
For ordinary registrations, in-person options include Licensing at Suite 110, 350 City Hall Square West, the Windsor-Essex County Humane Society at 1375 Provincial Road, and city Customer Care Centres. Dogs designated for mandatory registration must get their tag in person at City Hall.
Mail a completed application with a cheque or money order payable to the City of Windsor to Licensing Division, Suite 110, 350 City Hall Square West, Windsor ON N9A 6S1. Annual renewal notices normally go out in the last week of November. Contact licences@citywindsor.ca or 519-255-6200, option 1, for help.
Compare the key details
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Ordinary registration | $25 per year; voluntary for most dogs |
| Online registration perk | $20 Ren’s Pets voucher |
| Dog-at-Risk Registry | $150 annual fee; mandatory |
| At-risk dog identification | Microchip required |
What to do next
- Read your dog’s status
Ordinary and at-risk rules differ.
- Use the current city service
Avoid older mandatory-licensing forms.
- Keep identification current
A registered tag helps identify a lost pet.
Named in-person dog registration locations
These are the two individually named locations in the dog e-service page. Customer Care Centres are another option, but their full network is outside this page’s location scope. Mandatory registration is restricted to City Hall.
Licensing Division
350 City Hall Square West, Suite 110
Ordinary registration and mandatory risk-registration tags are available through City Hall. Licensing hours are weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.
- Telephone
- 519-255-6200, option 1
Windsor-Essex County Humane Society
1375 Provincial Road
The city lists this as an in-person option for ordinary dog registration. Dogs designated for mandatory registration must go to City Hall instead.
- Telephone
- 519-966-5751
Useful questions and answers
Is registration mandatory for every Windsor dog?
No. The current city program is voluntary for most dogs.
What is the ordinary annual cost?
The current voluntary program costs $25 per year.
Do I need a MyWindsor account to register online?
No. The city offers online applications without an account. Creating an account lets you view past applications and update renewal details.
Can I register a dog on the risk registry online?
No. A dog designated for mandatory registration must get its tag in person at City Hall.
Does the fee support animal services?
The city says part of the fee funds the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society.
Who decides whether a dog belongs on the risk registry?
An officer determines whether its behaviour presents a public risk.
What kinds of behaviour are mentioned?
Violent or menacing behaviour, including biting or attacking.
When did the risk-based program begin?
The city identifies December 2025 as the effective date.
What must an at-risk dog’s owner pay?
The mandatory annual fee is $150.
Does an at-risk dog also need a microchip?
Yes. Microchipping is part of the mandatory risk-registry requirements.