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. Please read this page before applying for a dog license.
- 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 an online dog license cost?
- 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?
- Yes. Your dog can be up to three (3) months old before it is required to get a license. All dogs over three (3) months of age must be licensed.
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- Yes. Your dog can be up to three (3) months old before it is required to get a license. All dogs over three (3) months of age must be licensed.
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Why should I get a license for my dog?
- Because it's the law! And 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 our office to identify the dog's owner.
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- Because it's the law! And 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 our office to identify the dog's owner.
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What do I do if I find a lost dog?
- If the dog is wearing a current Wood County tag, you can search the license database for the owner's phone number or give us call during working hours. If you have no success returning the animal, please contact the Wood County Dog Shelter,
- If the dog is wearing a current Wood County tag, you can search the license database for the owner's phone number or give us call during working hours. If you have no success returning the animal, please contact the Wood County Dog Shelter,
Wood County Dog ShelterBack to top
1912 E. Gypsy Lane
Bowling Green, OH 43402
(419) 354-9242
M-W, F: 8:30am-4:30pm
Thurs: 8:30am-12:00pm; 3:30pm-4:30pm
Sat: 9:00am-12:00pm
How do I report my dog as having been lost?
- Contact the Wood County Dog Shelter.
- Contact the Wood County Dog Shelter.
Wood County Dog Shelter- Contact your local Animal Control.
1912 E. Gypsy Lane
Bowling Green, OH 43402
(419) 354-9242
M-W, F: 8:30am-4:30pm
Thurs: 8:30am-12:00pm; 3:30pm-4:30pm
Sat: 9:00am-12:00pm
Perrysburg (419) 872-8001- If you have lost your dog and you live near the county line, you may also wish to contact the contingent county.
Northwood (419) 691-5053
Bowling Green (419) 352-1131
Rossford (419) 666-5230
Walbridge (419) 666-1447
Lucas County Dog Warden (419) 255-6119Back to top
Ottawa County Dog Warden (419) 898-1368
Sandusky County Dog Warden (419) 334-2372
Seneca County Dog Warden (419) 448-5097
Hancock County Dog Warden (419) 423-1664
Henry County Dog Warden (419) 599-9233
How often does the license have to be renewed?
- Dog licenses must be renewed annually between December 1 and January 31.
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- Dog licenses must be renewed annually between December 1 and January 31.
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How much does an online dog license cost?
- The annual base fee for an online dog license in Wood County is $16.00 (this amount reflects an online processing fee of $2.15). If you are registering the dog after July 1, some fees may be prorated.
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- The annual base fee for an online dog license in Wood County is $16.00 (this amount reflects an online processing fee of $2.15). If you are registering the dog after July 1, some fees may be prorated.
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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?
- If you or your pet loses a license, you can request a duplicate license from the Auditor's Office or Dog Shelter for $5.00. For more information, please contact
- If you or your pet loses a license, you can request a duplicate license from the Auditor's Office or Dog Shelter for $5.00. For more information, please contact
the Auditor's office at:Back to top(419) 354-9162 or (419) 354-9173or, the Dog Shelter at:
Matthew Oestreich
Wood County Auditor
One Courthouse Square
Bowling Green, Ohio 43402(419) 354-9242
Wood County Dog Shelter
1912 E. Gypsy Lane
Bowling Green, OH 43402
M-W, F: 8:30am-4:30pm
Thurs: 8:30am-12:00pm; 3:30pm-4:30pm
Sat: 9:00am-12:00pm
How do I transfer a license to a new owner?
- The ownership of a current dog license can be transferred to another owner for $5.00. The current owner on file, or executor of the current owner's estate, must sign the transfer form. It is also advisable for the new owner to sign the form. Please contact us for the necessary form at:
- The ownership of a current dog license can be transferred to another owner for $5.00. The current owner on file, or executor of the current owner's estate, must sign the transfer form. It is also advisable for the new owner to sign the form. Please contact us for the necessary form at:
(419) 354-9162 or (419) 354-9173Back to top
Matthew Oestreich
Wood County Auditor
One Courthouse Square
Bowling Green, Ohio 43402
What if I move?
- If you move within Wood County, you can call 419-354-9173 with your new address and telephone number so we can keep the information up-to-date. If you move to another county, call that County's Auditor for licensing information.
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- If you move within Wood County, you can call 419-354-9173 with your new address and telephone number so we can keep the information up-to-date. If you move to another county, call that County's Auditor for licensing information.
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Where do the proceeds go from the dog license program?
- The license proceeds support the Wood County dog shelter and the issuance of licenses.
The license proceeds are the sole support for day-to-day operations at the Wood County Dog Shelter.
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- The license proceeds support the Wood County dog shelter and the issuance of licenses.
The license proceeds are the sole support for day-to-day operations at the Wood 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. Please click here to read/view all the relevant laws.
At the request of the Wood County District Board of Health, all mail-in forms require information relating to your dog's rabies vaccination. The Wood County District Board of Health has adopted a regulation requiring all dogs be immunized against rabies. Please indicate the expiration date of the rabies vaccination, the veterinarian, and rabies tag number on all mail-in forms. This information will be available next year for collection via the online form.
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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. Please click here to read/view all the relevant laws.
At the request of the Wood County District Board of Health, all mail-in forms require information relating to your dog's rabies vaccination. The Wood County District Board of Health has adopted a regulation requiring all dogs be immunized against rabies. Please indicate the expiration date of the rabies vaccination, the veterinarian, and rabies tag number on all mail-in forms. This information will be available next year for collection via the online form.
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How do I know that purchasing a license online is safe?
- The system 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. Hard drives in 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 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. Hard drives in 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 telephone and asked to log in to your account to verify credit card information and to make any necessary corrections. Credit card orders for dog licenses will not be 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 telephone and asked to log in to your account to verify credit card information and to make any necessary corrections. Credit card orders for dog licenses will not be accepted over the telephone.
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How will I know that my payment was made?
- You will see a confirmation page with a transaction number after completing the payment process. We recommend you print or save this page for your records.
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- You will see a confirmation page with a transaction number after completing the payment process. 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 postal mail and should arrive within 10 business days. The charge will be posted to your credit card at time of registration. Contact us if your dog license doesn't reach you within this period. Please allow extra time for processing during December 1 to February 28.
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- Licenses are sent through postal mail and should arrive within 10 business days. The charge will be posted to your credit card at time of registration. Contact us if your dog license doesn't reach you within this period. Please allow extra time for processing during December 1 to February 28.
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