145,000 unlicensed dogs and cats are in Mississauga, city estimates

Fewer than 20 per cent of dogs and cats kept as pets in the city are licensed, Mississauga officials say as they continue to ramp up efforts to increase that number.

As the total estimated number of four-legged pets — both canine and feline — in Canada’s seventh-largest city has climbed to around 177,000 (the city pegs the population at 100,000 cats, 77,000 dogs), the number of those who get licensed with the City of Mississauga by their owners remains far off the pace.

A city spokesperson told INsauga.com that as of last Dec. 31 (end of 2024), 32,819 dogs and cats were licensed in Mississauga — 20,294 dogs, 12,525 cats. That leaves an estimated 145,000 canines and felines unlicensed in the city.

By comparison, 28,781 family pets (17,072 dogs, 11,709 cats) were licensed as of the end of 2023 and 37,000 (roughly 23,000 dogs, 14,000 cats) as of end of December 2022, earlier city numbers showed.

Prior to their latest best guess of total number of dogs and cats in Mississauga (177,000), city officials last provided an estimate in December 2022 when they put the population at 140,000 (80,000 cats, 60,000 dogs).

Mississauga is not alone when it comes to pet licensing numbers as municipalities across Ontario and Canada struggle to significantly increase compliance.

In an effort to bump up licensing numbers, city officials said last year they launched a formal review of Mississauga’s pet licensing program with plans to do more to pursue compliance.

This year, the city spokesperson noted, Mississauga Animal Services “continues to actively create greater awareness and education with pet owners of the need to license their pets.”

The direct message to dog and cat owners in this year’s awareness campaign, the city says, is that “for a pet, home is wherever you are — license your pet today.”

The city’s 2025 public education/awareness initiative launched last Thursday and will continue in June with a social media campaign, digital communications, city signage and a “tool kit” for councillors to use when delivering the message to pet owners in their wards.

“The campaign speaks to the benefit of having your licensed furry friend returned quickly and safely to you (should they go missing) as well as the many other benefits that pet licensing offers,” the spokesperson said in an email to INsauga.com.

Mississauga officials say those who license their dogs and cats have a much better chance of finding them should they go missing. (Photo: City of Mississauga)

City bylaws require dog and cat owners to license their pets. Licensing fees vary from $10 to $50 annually based on animal type, age of pet, spay/neuter status and age of owner (reduced rate for those over age 65), with discounted two-year licences available as well.

Officials say there are many benefits to licensing pets.

“Licensed pets wear tags on their collars; these tags serve as your pet’s ID and are enormously helpful if your pet ever gets lost,” Mississauga officials said previously.

Pet licence fees also help Mississauga’s Animal Services teams care for local animals in the following ways:

• care for and feed homeless pets
• return lost pets to their homes
• provide veterinary services to animals in the city’s care
• rescue sick, injured domestic animals and wildlife
• provide 24/7 emergency animal rescue services
• investigate animal care issues
• keep neighbourhoods safe for people and pets

Animal Services officers also conduct door-to-door outreach periodically in an effort to educate residents about licensing and other topics.