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Dog Warden

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1. When should I license my dog?

The annual license renewal period is December 1 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 Fulton County or if you just acquired a new dog, you must purchase a license within 30 days. (Ohio Revised Code Section 955.01)

2. Where do I purchase a dog license?

Dog licenses may be purchased online, by mail or in person at a variety of locations.

To purchase a dog license at a location near you, please see the locations at the link below:
Locations for Purchasing a License

3. Why do I need to license my dog?

Ohio law requires that you license your dog. A license tag attached to your dog's collar proves ownership and is your pet's ticket home if he gets lost.

4. Must my dog wear a license?

YES. Ohio law requires it. Dogs without licenses may be impounded by the dog warden and assessed to be a stray.

5. What if my dog’s license becomes lost?

Contact the Auditor’s office at, 419-337-9298. They will replace it for $5.00.

6. 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.

7. What if I forget to renew a license?

If you forget to renew a license, you will pay a penalty fee of $20 in addition to the cost of licensing the dog.

8. What if I move?

If you move within Fulton County, please call the Auditor's office at 419-337-9202 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.

9. Where do proceeds go?

All funds received by the county dog warden are deposited in the county treasury and placed to the credit of the dog and kennel fund. (As in accordance to Ohio Revised Code 955.01-955.18).

10. What do I do if my dog gets lost?

Call the Fulton County dog warden at (419) 337-9219, the Sherriff's Office at (419) 335-4010 or your local Police Department.

11. What do I do if I find a lost dog?

Contact the Dog Warden at 419-337-9219, the Sherriff's office at 419-335-4010 or your local Police Department.

12. When a dog is picked up by the Dog Warden what is the procedure/timeline for keeping the dog at the pound?

As in accordance with Ohio law, any dog that is seized and impounded may be redeemed by its owner, keeper, or harborer at any time prior to the expiration of the applicable redemption period (3 days).

13. How long do you hold the dog to allow someone to find/call in about their pet?

Dogs that have been seized by the county dog warden and impounded shall be kept, housed and fed for three days for the purpose of redemption, as provided by section 955.18 of the Revised Code.

14. If someone comes to claim their dog, do you charge a fee to pay for its boarding, food, etc. while at the pound?

Yes. Fees can be assessed for boarding, redeeming, dart utilization, and licensing an unlicensed dog. See fees at the link below:
Fees

15. If I pick up a lost, injured dog, what do I do? Should I take it to a vet?

Immediately contact the Fulton County Dog Warden at 419-337-9219, the Sherriff's office at 419-335-4010 or your local police department.

16. If the dog is not claimed at the pound, what do you do next? How long does it remain at the pound? Does it go somewhere else?

Dogs that have been seized by the county dog warden and impounded shall be kept, housed, and fed for three days for the purpose of redemption, as provided by section 955.18 of the Revised Code.

The Dog Warden does work with outside adoption agencies and the public to adopt dogs redeemed. An adoption agency, if interested, could take the dog who has not been redeemed past the required 3 day period. Click the link below to see our dog adoption page! Dogs Available for Adoption

17. What is your procedure for handling a neglect/abuse case?

If a dog warden has reason to believe that a dog is being treated inhumanely on the premises of its owner, keeper, or harborer, the warden shall apply to the court of common pleas for the county in which the premises are located for an order to enter the premises, and if necessary, seize the dog. If the court finds probably cause to believe that the dog is being treated inhumanely, it shall issue such an order. (Ohio Revised Code 944.12)

The warden and deputies shall also investigate all claims for damages to animals reported to them under section 955.29 of the Revised Code and assist claimants to fill out the claim form therefor. They shall make weekly reports, in writing, to the board in their respective counties of all dogs seized, impounded, redeemed, and destroyed and of all claims for damage to animals inflicted by dogs.

18. Is there a way for a person to find out what was decided on the neglect/abuse case he/she called in?

Yes, if it was a court action, depending on the jurisdiction of the case, one could call the Western District Court at 419-337-9212 or the Eastern District Court at 419-826-5636.

19. Do you charge an adoption fee?

Yes, along with an annual license. The license renewal period is December 1st through January 31st. 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 Fulton County or if you just acquired a new dog, you must purchase a license within 30 days. (Ohio Revised Code Section 955.01) See the link below for fees:

Fees

20. From where does the pound receive its funding?

Funding is received through license and registration fees.

21. Does the dog pound have an email address?

Yes, you may email the dog pound at dogwarden@fultoncountyoh.com

22. Do you board dogs for the general public?

No, we do not board dogs for the general public.