Holmes County launches dog licensing season with new 2026 fees

Holmes County Dog Warden Jonathan Beam said it's time to “Secure Your Pup & License Up,” as licensing sales will begin Dec. 1 and run through the end of January. Dog licenses are tickets home for lost dogs but also are required by law.

The annual dog registration required by the State of Ohio is a service designed to benefit the animal, its owner and the community. The license tag has an assigned identification number that identifies the owner, should the dog become lost or separated from you.

Ohio law (955.01 ORC) maintains all dogs more than 3 months of age be licensed each year, no later than Jan. 31. Holmes County residents will see a $2 increase for regular dog licenses and a $10 increase for kennel licenses beginning Dec. 1. The fee is $19 per dog. After the Jan. 31 deadline, the fee is $38 per dog. Applicants must be 18 years or older to apply for a dog license.

All revenue generated from dog license sales goes into the county’s Dog & Kennel Fund, used specifically for operating and funding the Holmes County Dog Warden’s Department and its services to the community.

Occasionally, adjustments need to be made to the dog license fees to ensure the shelter and dog warden’s services can maintain their funding amid rising costs of operations and unpredictable fluctuation of dog licensing sales. Funding helps shelter services meet industry standards for the health and safety of the community. For more information on the increased license fee, visit the Holmes County Dog Warden’s website at www.holmescountydogwarden.com.

If a dog has not been licensed in the past, there is no penalty to license the pet for the new year. If the dog has been previously licensed, a new license form will be mailed by Dec. 1, along with a return envelope for convenience.

In recent months Holmes County has switched software companies for its dog license database. If a renewal application has not been received in the mail or the information on the application is incorrect, contact the Holmes County Auditor’s Office or the Holmes County Dog Warden’s Department.

Holmes County offers many options for purchasing 2026 dog licenses. Return the entire application in the provided envelope with the proper fee, and the auditor’s office will mail the tags back to the applicant. Licenses also may be purchased online. For more information visit the dog license website at www.doglicenses.us/OH/Holmes/.

Licenses may be purchased at the auditor’s office, 75 E. Clinton St., Millersburg, or at the Holmes County Dog Warden’s Department, 5387 County Road 349, Millersburg. Both locations can accept debit/credit card payments. Many satellite locations throughout the county also will sell 2026 licenses. Bring the license form when purchasing a new tag. Multi-year dog tags are available in addition to the annual tag option. Three-year and lifetime dog licenses are available for purchase at the Holmes County Auditor’s Office only.

A kennel license is available at a fee of $95 for owners engaged in the business of breeding dogs for sale. A tag must be purchased for each dog in a kennel that is over 3 months of age. The kennel license will be sold with five tags; additional tags will be $1 per tag. A kennel license can only be purchased at the auditor’s office or at the dog warden’s department. Large-volume breeders must purchase a license through the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the tags through the auditor’s office.

"A simple investment in a dog license can be the cause of much celebration after pets are reunited with their owners," Beam said. "Holmes County dogs have been reunited with their owners numerous times from areas across the country by utilizing a simple dog license. With one phone call or click of a button, your lost dog could be back home where he or she belongs. As dog owners, we love our dogs, so why not license them?”

All license revenue goes toward the operation of the Holmes County Dog Warden’s Department & Adoption Center. The department is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dog agents, who may collect an administrative fee of 75 cents per dog in addition to the license fee, for 2026 tag sales in Holmes County include Holmes County Auditor’s Office in Millersburg, Holmes County Dog Warden's Department in Millersburg, Becks Mills General Store, Harvey’s Market in Holmesville, Farmerstown General Store, Killbuck Valley Market, Buckeye Deli in Nashville, Mt. Hope Hardware, Orme Hardware of Berlin, E & H Hardware in Millersburg, Wolfcreek Veterinary Clinic in Millersburg, Keim Lumber in Charm, Whitmer’s Store in Winesburg and East Holmes Vet Clinic in Berlin.