Dog Licensing FAQ
Knowingly providing FALSE information to a public official is a violation of Section 2921.13A5 of the Ohio Revised Code and is a misdemeanor of the first degree.
- Does my dog need a license?
- Why should I get a license for my dog?
- What do I do if I find a lost dog?
- How do I report my dog as having been lost?
- How often does the license have to be renewed?
- How much does a dog license cost?
- How does my dog qualify for a discount license rate?
- How can I avoid a late fee?
- How do I get a duplicate license?
- How do I transfer a license to a new owner?
- What if I move?
- Where do the proceeds go from the dog license program?
- Where can I find the laws that apply to dog licensing?
- How do I know that purchasing a license online is safe?
- Do County officials have access to my credit card information?
- How will I know that my payment was made?
- How long does it typically take before I receive my dog license?
Does my dog need a license?
Most likely, yes. Your dog can be up to three months old before it is required to get a license. All dogs over three months of age must be licensed.
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Most likely, yes. Your dog can be up to three months old before it is required to get a license. All dogs over three months of age must be licensed.
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Why should I get a license for my dog?
1) The primary reason is to prevent the spreading of rabies. Rabies is a health threat and is nearly always fatal for humans if not treated properly. Animal licensing helps the County monitor compliance with state rabies vaccination laws. 2) A license is a lost dog's ticket home! When your dog has its license attached to its collar, its assigned license number is all that is necessary for the County to identify the dog's owner. 3) The fees from licensing are used to care for animals and investigate complaints about stray animals, among other services. 4) It's the law.
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1) The primary reason is to prevent the spreading of rabies. Rabies is a health threat and is nearly always fatal for humans if not treated properly. Animal licensing helps the County monitor compliance with state rabies vaccination laws. 2) A license is a lost dog's ticket home! When your dog has its license attached to its collar, its assigned license number is all that is necessary for the County to identify the dog's owner. 3) The fees from licensing are used to care for animals and investigate complaints about stray animals, among other services. 4) It's the law.
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How do I report my dog as having been lost?
Please call the Dog Shelter or Animal Control.
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Please call the Dog Shelter or Animal Control.
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How often does the license have to be renewed?
Dog licenses are available in terms of one year, three year, and permanently. One year licenses renew annually. Three year licenses renew every three years. Renewing must be done between December 1 and January 31 or risk a late fee.
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Dog licenses are available in terms of one year, three year, and permanently. One year licenses renew annually. Three year licenses renew every three years. Renewing must be done between December 1 and January 31 or risk a late fee.
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How much does a dog license cost?
The base fee for a dog license is set by the County Commissioners. A license may also be assessed a late penalty if it is purchased outside the standard registration period. Besides these fees, a convenience fee is added to a license bought online. The fee is listed on the website as the 'Online Fee'.
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The base fee for a dog license is set by the County Commissioners. A license may also be assessed a late penalty if it is purchased outside the standard registration period. Besides these fees, a convenience fee is added to a license bought online. The fee is listed on the website as the 'Online Fee'.
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How does my dog qualify for a discount license rate?
Your dog may qualify for the discount rate if it meets one of the following criteria.
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Your dog may qualify for the discount rate if it meets one of the following criteria.
- Spayed or Neutered.
- Advanced in years or has a medical condition preventing it being spayed or neutered.
- Used or intended to be used for breeding, showing, or hunting.
- Too young to alter (9 months or younger).
- Rabies vaccination form referencing spayed/neutered status.
- Veternarian letter stating dog's age or medical condition as it relates to spaying/neutering.
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How can I avoid a late fee?
Ohio law requires licenses to be renewed between December 1 and January 31 each year. License applications after January 31 are subject to a late penalty.
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Ohio law requires licenses to be renewed between December 1 and January 31 each year. License applications after January 31 are subject to a late penalty.
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How do I get a duplicate license? How do I replace a lost license?
If you or your pet loses a license, you can request a duplicate license from the Auditor's Office for a small fee. Please more information, please contact the Auditor's Office.
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If you or your pet loses a license, you can request a duplicate license from the Auditor's Office for a small fee. Please more information, please contact the Auditor's Office.
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How do I transfer a license to a new owner?
The ownership of a current dog license can (and should) be transferred to another county resident when ownership of the dog passes between the two parties. If you are transfering ownership of a dog, or have received ownership of a dog, having a current licenses, please contact the Auditor's Office.
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The ownership of a current dog license can (and should) be transferred to another county resident when ownership of the dog passes between the two parties. If you are transfering ownership of a dog, or have received ownership of a dog, having a current licenses, please contact the Auditor's Office.
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What if I move?
If you are resident of the County holding a current dog license and move elsewhere within the County, please call the Auditor's Office to have your address and contact information updated. If you are a new resident to the County and own a dog, you need to purchase a license from the County. If you are a resident of the County and move from the County, you need to speak with the authority having jurisdiction over licensing in your new residence for their policies.
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If you are resident of the County holding a current dog license and move elsewhere within the County, please call the Auditor's Office to have your address and contact information updated. If you are a new resident to the County and own a dog, you need to purchase a license from the County. If you are a resident of the County and move from the County, you need to speak with the authority having jurisdiction over licensing in your new residence for their policies.
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Where do the proceeds go from the dog license program?
The license proceeds support the County Dog Shelter and the issuance of licenses. They are often the sole support for day-to-day operations at the County Dog Shelter.
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The license proceeds support the County Dog Shelter and the issuance of licenses. They are often the sole support for day-to-day operations at the County Dog Shelter.
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Where can I find the laws that apply to dog licensing?
The laws governing dog licensing in the State of Ohio can be found in the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), sections 955.01 thru 955.99.
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The laws governing dog licensing in the State of Ohio can be found in the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), sections 955.01 thru 955.99.
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How do I know that purchasing a license online is safe?
The system for licensing is PCI DSS compliant and uses industry-standard technology for the secure handling of user and credit card information. All passwords and credit card numbers are encrypted. Storage devices in the production servers are encrypted. During a transaction any sensitive data is transported via SSL. Firewalls guard against intrusion. Any unnecessary server application is turned off. Periodic scans by a third-party are done to detect vulnerabilities and maintain PCI DSS compliance.
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The system for licensing is PCI DSS compliant and uses industry-standard technology for the secure handling of user and credit card information. All passwords and credit card numbers are encrypted. Storage devices in the production servers are encrypted. During a transaction any sensitive data is transported via SSL. Firewalls guard against intrusion. Any unnecessary server application is turned off. Periodic scans by a third-party are done to detect vulnerabilities and maintain PCI DSS compliance.
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Do County officials have access to my credit card information?
No. Credit card information is not made available to County officials. If for any reason your credit card cannot be processed, you will be notified via email or phone and directed with how to make corrections. Credit card orders for dog licenses are never accepted over the telephone.
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No. Credit card information is not made available to County officials. If for any reason your credit card cannot be processed, you will be notified via email or phone and directed with how to make corrections. Credit card orders for dog licenses are never accepted over the telephone.
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How will I know that my order was placed?
After completing the check-out process, you will see a confirmation page with a transaction number. We recommend you print or save this page for your records.
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After completing the check-out process, you will see a confirmation page with a transaction number. We recommend you print or save this page for your records.
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How long does it typically take before I receive my dog license?
Licenses are sent through the postal mail and should arrive within 10 business days. Please contact the Auditor's Office if your license doesn't reach you within this period. Extra processing time may be necessary between December 1 to January 31 due to volume.
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Licenses are sent through the postal mail and should arrive within 10 business days. Please contact the Auditor's Office if your license doesn't reach you within this period. Extra processing time may be necessary between December 1 to January 31 due to volume.
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