Dog Licenses
About Dog Licenses
Licensing your dog is required by law in the State of Ohio. The license tag has an assigned identification number that identifies you as the owner should the dog become lost or separated from you. The Auditor’s Office is responsible for licensing dogs within Butler County. Dog licenses comprise the largest number of licenses sold by the Butler County Auditor’s Office.
We encourage all dog owners to voluntarily license their pets to insure we can reunite your family with your pet should there be a separation.
If you haven’t licensed your dog in the past, there is no penalty to license the dog for the new year. Simply contact the Auditor’s licensing division at 513-887-3160. If you already license your dog, a new license form should be mailed to you each year.
A current dog license can:
- Reunite lost dogs with their owners.
- Provide a free ride home if found by a Dog Warden.
- Provide Emergency Veterinary treatment for life threatening injuries in the absence of the owner.
- Ensure your dog is held 14 days at shelter instead of 3 days.
Visit the Auditor website to purchase a license or do a license search. You can purchase your dog license from the Butler County Auditor, the Butler County Dog Wardens, or at one of licensed vendors which are listed on the Auditors webpage. The Butler County Dog Wardens will also respond to your residence, during normal working hours, to sell you your annual dog license(s).
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I license my dog?
The annual license renewal period is through January 31. If you have a new puppy, you must buy a license by the time he reaches three months old. If you have just moved into Butler County or if you just acquired a new dog, you must purchase a license.
Where do I purchase a dog license?
You may purchase a license at the Auditor’s Office, 130 High St., Third Floor, Hamilton, OH 45011, or at one of your neighborhood vendors.
What should I do if I lose my dog tag?
You will need to send a photocopy of your registration form with your current dog license number along with a self-addressed stamped envelope and $5.00 to the Butler County Auditor’s Office, 130 High St., Fourth Floor, Hamilton, OH 45011, or you can come to the Auditor’s office and get one in person. The Auditor’s office is the only place to receive a duplicate tag.
Must my dog wear a license?
Yes. Ohio law requires it. Dogs without licenses may be impounded by an Animal Control Officer / Deputy Dog Warden.
Why do I need to license my dog?
First, Ohio law requires that you license your dog. Second, a license tag attached to your dog’s collar proves ownership and is your pet’s ticket home if he gets lost.
What if I forget to buy my dog’s license during the renewal period which runs through January 31?
Ohio law requires a late fee. Simply pay the late fee and the fee for the current year’s license. There are no provisions in the law to waive the fee.
Can I let my dog run loose if he is licensed?
No. It is against the law. Ohio law specifies that all dogs must be confined to your property or under reasonable control, such as on a leash when being walked. It is not safe to let your dog roam the neighborhood. He can get hit by a car, become lost, damage neighbors’ property or injure another animal or person.
What do I do if I sell or give my dog to someone else?
Please call the Auditor’s office at 513-887-3138 for information on transferring the dog’s license number to the new owner. There is a $5.00 fee for transferring a dog license.
What do I do if my dog gets lost?
Call the Humane Society at 513-867-5727.
What do I do if I find a lost dog?
If the dog is wearing a current Butler County license tag, call 513-887-3138. If the dog is not wearing a current license tag, call the Humane Society at 513-867-5727.
What if I move?
If you move within Butler County, please call the Auditor’s office at 513-887-3138 with your new address and telephone number so the information can be kept up-to-date. If you move to another county, you do not need to purchase a new dog license until it is time to renew the current license. However, please provide the Auditor of the county to which you’ve moved with your name, address and telephone number for their records.