2022 Dog License Season Underway

To Purchase a 2022 Dog License or Learn More, Visit the Website Here 

Opening Day for Dog License Season a Success

Jefferson- Ashtabula County Auditor David Thomas and Officer Manager Sue Belden celebrated a successful first day of the 2022 Dog License Season. Licenses are sold between December 1^st and January 31^st each year through the Auditor’s Office and their registrars in Ashtabula County. 

“We’ve had a busy start to the new Dog License season already just in our first day,” said Auditor Thomas. The Auditor’s Office sold 1,838 licenses between online, in person, and mail in sales on December 1^st.

All dogs three-months-old or older must register or renew their license each year between December 1 and January 31. Licenses alert the Dog Warden of official ownership and the owner’s contact information if a dog becomes lost or a concern arises. These fees help with shelter costs and Dog Warden funds.

Licenses are $12 for a one-year tag and can be purchased at the Auditor’s Office, online at the Auditor’s Website, or at one of the convenient community partners.

2021 was a good year for the Auditor’s Office despite the pandemic and in person sales being down.
“I’m very proud of Sue and our staff for the great work they did this past year and the new things came about in our Dog License department,” shared Auditor Thomas. 

The Auditor’s Office held their first annual Bark in the Park Dog Festival in July of 2021. The festival saw 15 local vendors and over 100 residents and dogs attend at the County Courthouse to learn about local offerings for pets and have the opportunity to adopt a pup as well.

Also this past year the Conneaut Public Library was added as the newest registrar for dog licenses in Ashtabula County and is the only Conneaut location. The Auditor’s Office has 9 registrars across Ashtabula County where residents can visit in person to purchase a dog license instead of doing so online, by mail, or at the Auditor’s Office in Jefferson.

“In 2021 we sold 10,839 licenses to Ashtabula County residents which was a great showing of support and movement in the right direction for getting dogs in our county legal and protected,” explained Auditor Thomas. The top three most common licensed breeds were Labrador retrievers, German shepherds, and beagles in Ashtabula County. 

The licenses collected $155,654 in 2021 from fees and penalties. These funds are allocated to the Ashtabula County Dog Warden and county animal shelters. “Donna our dog warden is an absolute saint,” said Auditor Thomas. “I don’t believe in raising the dog license fee but we do have a need for more revenue for the Dog Warden and shelters.”

Instead of raising the license fee, Thomas shared that his office has focused on increasing the number of dogs participating and paying the license fee. He points to the outreach such as selling at local stores, kid contests, and communication with the public to meet this goal of increased sales.

The goal for 2022 is 12,000 licenses as the office returns to more community events and outreach in the new year. Thomas estimates there to be roughly 40,000 dogs in Ashtabula County with a large number unlicensed. He is curious if the top names will remain the same in the new year. “Every year our top three dog names have been consistent with Bella being first followed by Buddy and Max,” shared Auditor Thomas. “We definitely have seen some very unique names so far.”