Daily Living
Dog Licensing and Municipal Bylaws in PEI
Charlottetown and Stratford both charge for a dog licence; Summerside currently doesn't. Here is exactly what each municipality requires, and why skipping it costs more than the licence itself.
1. Licensing Is Set by Your Municipality, Not the Province
Each municipality regulates dog licensing and control through its own bylaw. If you live in an unincorporated area with no municipal bylaw, a Provincial Dog Licence under the PEI Dog Act still applies. Cats are not licensed or regulated in most PEI municipalities.
2. Fees by Municipality
| Municipality | Intact Dog | Spayed/Neutered Dog | Kennel Licence | Renewal Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottetown | $25 | $15 | $100 | March 31 |
| Stratford | $25 | $15 | $30 | March 31 |
| Summerside | $0 (currently no fee) | $0 (currently no fee) | N/A | Annual |
Guide and service dogs for people with disabilities are licensed but exempt from the fee in Stratford, and typically treated similarly elsewhere; confirm directly with your municipality.
3. What Happens If You Don't Licence
Beyond the risk of a fine (Charlottetown and Stratford can both pursue penalties up to $500 per offence under the Charlottetown Area Municipalities Act, and Summerside imposes $25-$100 fines for an unlicensed dog), an unlicensed dog that gets loose is simply harder to reunite with you. Licensing fees fund the animal control system itself, including returning lost dogs, sheltering strays, and investigating dangerous-dog complaints.
4. The PEI Humane Society's Role
The PEI Humane Society enforces animal bylaws in Charlottetown, Stratford, and Cornwall on behalf of those municipalities, and also sells licences directly. You can register your dog at:
- The PEI Humane Society shelter
- Access PEI (for the provincial licence, if you're outside a municipality with its own bylaw)
- Your local municipal office (Town Hall)
5. Leash Laws Are Consistent Across the Island
Regardless of municipality, dogs must be leashed or under direct control whenever off the owner's property, and owners are responsible for immediately cleaning up after their dog in public or on others' property. Kennel licences are required if you keep more than two dogs in a household for boarding or breeding purposes.