Wayne County dog owners are being reminded to renew their dog licenses by Jan. 31, 2024, as required by the Ohio Revised Code and local licensing rules.

The year-end notice, issued this month by county officials, lays out multiple options for purchasing or renewing licenses and reiterates the county’s role as the local issuing authority. Residents may complete transactions online through the county’s DocuPet portal, in person at the Wayne County Auditor’s Office at 428 W. Liberty Street during regular weekday hours, or at the Wayne County Dog Shelter at 5694 Burbank Road, which accepts in-person business Tuesday through Saturday.

County officials named in the reminder include Wayne County Auditor Jarra Underwood, Dog Warden and Dog Shelter Director Katelyn Lehman, and Public Communications Coordinator Dan Starcher. Diana Ogden of the Auditor’s Office emphasized the county’s effort to simplify the process: “It is important that dog owners register their pets, and we have made it extremely convenient to purchase dog licenses,” Ogden said in county materials distributing the reminder.

Officials pointed readers to the DocuPet portal (waynecounty.docupet.com) as the online option for renewals and new purchases. Organizations like DocuPet act as official licensing partners for cities and counties, providing an online platform where pet owners can register and renew dog licenses, upload required documents such as rabies vaccination records, pay fees, and receive proof of licensing and tags by mail.

The county also maintains instructional material for in-person and mail options on the dog shelter’s purchase page. The Auditor’s Office is the designated issuing authority, and the dog shelter handles walk-in transactions during its posted hours; both locations are listed as convenient alternatives for residents who prefer face-to-face service.

In Wayne County, Ohio, dog owners who miss the Jan. 31 renewal deadline must pay a mandatory late penalty in addition to the regular license fee, with no legal provision to waive the penalty. Under current rules, this penalty is equal to the cost of the license (for a standard one‑year dog license, this brings the total to $32 if purchased after January 31). What are the consequences for dog owners who fail to renew their licenses on time?

County staff framed licensing as a basic administrative step that keeps records current and supports animal identification and public health. Beyond those immediate benefits, revenue from dog license fees typically goes directly into local animal control and animal services budgets, helping pay for shelter operations, field services, and enforcement activities. How does the revenue from dog licenses contribute to local animal control efforts? Studies and municipal reports show that license revenue can cover a significant share of animal control costs in many jurisdictions, making timely licensing a component of local shelter funding.

Those who opt to use DocuPet online can complete the process remotely and receive confirmation and tags by mail; the platform accepts uploads of required documentation and payment electronically. For residents planning an in-person visit, the Auditor’s Office welcomes customers Monday through Friday at 428 W. Liberty Street, while the dog shelter accepts transactions Tuesday through Saturday at 5694 Burbank Road.

Public Communications Coordinator Dan Starcher is listed in county materials as the contact for the announcement distributing the renewal reminder. The county’s message is straightforward: complete renewals before the Jan. 31 deadline to avoid late penalties and to ensure that dog licensing records and funding streams remain up to date.