Morinville Scraps Traditional Pet Licensing System
The town of Morinville, Alberta has made a significant change to its animal control policies by eliminating mandatory pet licenses and replacing them with custom identification tags. This decision marks a departure from traditional municipal pet registration systems that have been standard across many Canadian communities.
The policy shift was confirmed on November 26, 2025, as municipal officials revealed the new approach to pet identification. Rather than requiring residents to purchase annual licenses for their dogs and cats, the town will now provide customized ID tags that serve as permanent identification for pets.
New Custom ID Tag System Details
Under the new system, pet owners will receive distinctive identification tags that contain essential information about their animals. These tags are designed to be more durable and visually appealing than standard license tags, while still serving the primary purpose of helping reunite lost pets with their owners.
The custom ID tags will feature unique identification numbers that animal control officers can use to access pet owner contact information through the town's database. This approach maintains the functionality of the previous licensing system while eliminating the annual renewal requirement and associated fees.
Implications for Pet Owners and Animal Control
For Morinville residents, this policy change means reduced administrative burden and costs associated with pet ownership. Pet owners will no longer need to remember annual renewal deadlines or budget for recurring license fees.
Local animal control services will continue to operate with the same effectiveness, as the identification system remains intact. The custom tags will still enable quick identification of lost pets and facilitate communication between animal control officers and pet owners.
The transition to the new system is expected to be seamless for current pet owners, with the town providing information about how to obtain the new custom ID tags. Municipal officials emphasize that the change is designed to simplify pet ownership while maintaining public safety and animal welfare standards.
This policy revision reflects Morinville's ongoing efforts to modernize municipal services and reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens on residents. Other Alberta municipalities may watch the implementation of this new system as they consider similar reforms to their own pet registration requirements.
