LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – Dog owners, listen up. As 2025 comes to a close, it’s time to purchase new dog tags for your pets.
The standard licensing period opened Dec. 1 and runs through Jan. 31. During that period, the base fee for a one-year dog license in Allen County is $22. Allen County Dog Warden Julie Shellhammer says it is Ohio law that all dogs over 3 months of age must be licensed. She also says that if a dog runs off and gets lost, that tag could be the key to helping reunite it with its family.
"We appreciate everybody getting their license, mostly because we can the dog back to the owner if it gets loose because it has his tag on. We can get anybody to get a return. They can look up that tag number and get it returned to the owner, so that's the quickest way for your dog to be, and it's legally your dog and you can prove ownership of it," says Julie Shellhammer, Allen County Dog Warden.
Money collected from dog tag purchases also plays a crucial role in helping the Allen County Dog Warden operate its facility.
"We don't get any general fund money. We don't operate off of any other grants or any other funding. It's solely by our dog license that we sell, so that's how we keep our facility staffed, vehicles and everything running so we can serve and support our county," Shellhammer adds.
There are three ways to purchase a dog tag.
First, dog owners can go to the Allen County Auditor’s Office website and purchase online. There is a $2.50 online convenience fee. Second, tags can be purchased in person at the Allen County Dog Warden’s Office, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In-person purchases are cash or check only. Lastly, owners can send a self-addressed envelope with a check or money order to the dog warden. The office will mail the tag back, with an estimated two-week turnaround time.
The price increases to $44 after Jan. 31.
