Mississauga is home to an estimated 177,000 pet cats and dogs, but fewer than 20 percent of them are licensed — a gap that city officials are hoping to close through renewed public outreach and education.
As of the end of 2024, just 32,819 pets — 20,294 dogs and 12,525 cats — were registered with Mississauga Animal Services. That leaves an estimated 145,000 pets unlicensed, despite city bylaws requiring registration. Licensing rates have hovered low in recent years: 28,781 pets were licensed in 2023, and 37,000 in 2022.
Mississauga isn’t alone in this challenge. Municipalities across Ontario continue to struggle with low pet licensing rates, even as pet ownership rises.
To combat the issue, Mississauga launched a review of its pet licensing program last year and has ramped up efforts in 2025 with a fresh public awareness campaign. The campaign, rolled out last Thursday, emphasizes the message: “For a pet, home is wherever you are — license your pet today.” The city is pushing this initiative through social media, digital channels, signage, and even a “tool kit” for councillors to reach pet owners in their communities.
Officials stress that licensing pets comes with real benefits, particularly in reuniting lost animals with their owners. A tag serves as a pet’s ID, and licensed pets are far more likely to be returned home safely and quickly. Pet license fees, ranging from $10 to $50 annually (with discounts for seniors and multi-year options), also support vital services offered by Mississauga Animal Services.
These services include shelter and food for homeless animals, emergency rescues, veterinary care, and protection for both people and pets across the city. Animal Services officers also conduct door-to-door outreach to help boost understanding and compliance.
With tens of thousands of animals still unlicensed, city officials are urging residents to take the simple but important step of registering their furry companions — not just to follow the law, but to protect and care for the pets that call Mississauga home.