the City of Sarnia

DocuPet is the official pet licensing partner for the City of Sarnia

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Why Docupet

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 Sarnia. 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 Sarnia, Sarnia and District Humane Society.

How to License

  • Online
  • In-person
  • Mail
  • Phone

The fastest and easiest way to license or renew is right here. You’ll create a profile for your pet, upload photos, process your licence registration, and receive purchase confirmations via email. Payment can be made using a credit card or Visa/Mastercard debit card and your package will be shipped out next business day. Each year, you just need to log in to your existing account and renew - it’s super easy!

License Now

In person licensing is available at the following location(s) however it’s important to know you will still receive your tag in the mail:

Sarnia City Hall: 255 Christina St. N., Sarnia
Note: To license in person, please visit the Customer Service Dept on the 1st Floor.

Sarnia and District Humane Society: 131 Exmouth St., Sarnia

Don’t forget to check hours of operation, appointment policies, and accepted payment methods prior to heading out.

If you wish, you can download the below form and complete it prior to arriving.

Download Registration Form

If you opt to license via snail mail - keep in mind processing your registration will take a lot longer!

Make sure you complete the below form in full and that it is free of any errors otherwise your registration may not be successfully processed. The fine print is there for a reason so keep an eye out for accepted payment methods, who the cheque should be made out to, where it should be mailed, and any required supporting documentation.

Download Registration Form

If you’re having trouble licensing online and need to get your registration processed in a hurry, you can give our customer care team a call and they may be able to process your pet licence over the phone. Note that we can only accept credit cards and Visa/Mastercard debit as payment.

Licence Fees

Pet licences are required for all dogs living in the City of Sarnia. 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
Unaltered Dog $82.50
Altered Dog $36.25
Licence Type
Unaltered Dog $82.50
Altered Dog $36.25/td>

A replacement municipal tag is available at no charge upon request.

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.

A fine up to $150 may be charged for failing to comply.

Residents of the City of Sarnia are allowed to own a maximum of two dogs.

Licences are required for all dogs over six months of age.

DocuPet Benefits

Found a lost pet?

If the pet is wearing a DocuPet tag, visit our site or their unique web address on the back of the tag, enter the code found on the pet's tag, and gain access to the contact information that pet’s owner has chosen to provide. You may also call our 24/7 dispatch staff at 1-855-249-1370

Is your pet lost?

Don't panic! We're here to help! Log in to your profile and report your pet lost by clicking on their name and then using the "Report Lost" button. Our dedicated staff is immediately alerted and an email will go out with your pet's information to registered members in your community. Log in Now

Account not yet activated? Call us at 1-855-249-1370

What is HomeSafe™?

The HomeSafe™ Lost Pet Service features an online tool that ties your pet's unique tag code to their online profile. This means that if anyone finds your pet, they can easily report them found through our site, and immediately get access to the contact information you have chosen to provide.

Our Found Pet report makes it easy for people to help your pet get home safe. We also have a dedicated dispatch staff that works around the clock, answering phone calls and working with members of the community to help get lost pets home safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

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LICENSING OPTIONS, DATES, AND LOCATIONS

All pets over the age of 6 months are required to be licensed. 

Please visit the City of Sarnia in person as kennel licensing is not processed through DocuPet. They are located at 255 Christina St N in Sarnia.

You may renew your pet's license within 45 days of your pet's current license expiration date. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new license will start the day after expiration, not on the date of purchase.

You may license in person at the City of Sarnia located at 255 Christina St N in Sarnia.

Refunds may be granted for a license if a pet passes or is returned within 30 days of the license purchase.

Licenses are required to be renewed prior to the expiration date each year.

The City of Sarnia provides licensing services for the following areas: City of Sarnia

Licenses expire exactly 365 days from the license start date. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new license will start the day after expiration, not on the date of purchase.

FEES AND FINES

Please visit the City of Sarnia 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.

Visit this page for licensing options and fees. 

There are no senior rates to license your pet.

A fine up to $150 may be charged for failing to comply.

No, there is no discount for licensing multiple pets. Each pet will be charged the appropriate licensing fee. 

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 license 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

You are allowed for a maximum of 2 dogs per dwelling.

The following species are required to be licensed: Dogs

Visit this page for information on licensing bylaws.

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.

Please get in touch with the City of Sarnia at 519-332-0330.

DOCUMENT SUBMISSION

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.

HELP DESK

Visit our Help Desk for more information: https://docupetinc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us