Contact:Caroline Licata
Communications Director
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(330) 643-2739
Akron, Ohio – Summit County Fiscal Officer Kristen M. Scalise, CPA, CFE, reminds dog owners that the last day to purchase a 2026 Summit County dog license is Saturday, January 31, 2026. Ohio Revised Code requires residents who own, keep, or harbor a dog more than three months of age to purchase and maintain a current dog license.
A single-year license is $18.00, a three-year license is $54.00, and a permanent/lifetime license is $180.00. Owners who fail to renew their license by the deadline will be subject to a statutory late penalty of $18 per dog. Mailed registration forms and payments must be U.S. postmarked by January 31, 2026, to avoid the statutory late penalty.
Licensing dogs is now easier, modernized, and more valuable for residents as Summit County Fiscal Office Kristen Scalise has launched her partnership with DocuPet, a world-leading pet profile, lost pet and licensing platform. Through pet licensing and their complimentary HomeSafe® 24/7 lost pet service, DocuPet offers residents an effective pet identification and reunification program that keeps pets out of shelters and returns them home safely. Though pet licensing is mandatory for dogs, many local pet owners do no license their pets regularly. With the announcement of this new partnership, Summit County Fiscal Officer Kristen Scalise and DocuPet hope to attract community pet owners to the program.
To purchase a license online, visit summitcountyoh.docupet.com or call 1-877-239-6072. Licenses may be purchased in person at 1030 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron, OH 44310. For questions, please call (330) 630-7226.
Kennel owners must also renew their licenses by Saturday, January 31, 2026. The cost is $80 per license. Dogs assisting those with disabilities may be eligible for a license free of charge. Assistance dog licenses will remain valid throughout the animal's life.
Purchasing a current dog license benefits your pet and your community. Funds generated from the sale of dog licenses are redistributed to the Summit County Division of Animal Control to supply food, shelter, and vaccinations to abandoned animals.
For more information about dog registration in Summit County, please visit our website at http://FiscalOffice.summitoh.net or call (330) 630-7226.
