Dog and Kennel Licenses

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TR_dog The law requires that dogs be licensed all year. You could be fined. License tags may be purchased by mail, in person or on line. Those who purchased tags the previous year will automatically be mailed a renewal application.

Dog License Purchase

Online

Online Dog License Purchase

Mail

Send a completed Dog License Application, Rabies Vaccination Certificate, Spay/Neuter Certificate (if it’s not identified as such on the Rabies Vaccination Certificate), and check or money order (payable to ALLEGAN COUNTY TREASURER) to:

Allegan County Treasurer
PO Box 259
Allegan, MI 49010

In Person

Visit Allegan County Treasurer at 113 Chestnut Street, Allegan, MI 49010. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, except holidays. Bring Valid Rabies Certificate and Proof of spaying or neutering, if applicable. Check, cash or credit accepted.

Participating Retailer

Some local units of governments (LUGs) and veterinarian offices are now Allegan County Dog License vendors. See chart below.

Local Units of Governments (LUGs)	Veterinarian Offices
Fillmore Twp	Allegan Animal Clinic, Allegan
Gun Plain Twp	Hamilton Vet Clinic, Hamilton
Holland City	Kingdom Animal Hospital, Holland
Otsego Twp	Mac's Landing Vet Services, Fennville
Saugatuck Twp	Town & Country Vet Hospital, Allegan
Wayland City
Wayland Twp

Dog License Fees

Type of License	1 Year License	3 Year License*
Puppy	$5.00	N/A
Spayed/Neutered	$5.00	$12.00
Male/Female	$10.00	$25.00

*Purchase of a 3-Year License requires a corresponding 3-Year rabies vaccination.

Dog License Exceptions

Service Dogs
License tags are issued free of charge to dogs trained and serving as a qualified service dog.

Kennel License
The fee for Kennel License is $10.00 for 10 dogs or less, and $25.00 for more than 10 dogs. A fee of double the original license fee shall be charged for each previously licensed kennel, that apply after June 1.

Puppy
Age four (4) months to twelve (12) months. Pay $5.00 all year.

Lost Dog Tag
A lost license tag may be replaced at the County Treasurer’s Office when you present the original copy of the license and a sworn statement (Affidavit of Lost Dog Tag). There is no charge.

Kennel Licenses

Any person who keeps or operates a kennel may, in lieu of individual licenses, apply to the County Treasurer for a Kennel License entitling you to keep or operate a kennel.

Inspection of Kennel

Each kennel must be inspected by the Allegan County Animal Control prior to the issuance of a kennel permit, in compliance with the Allegan County Animal Control Ordinance. Additional inspections may occur at any time to assure compliance with the ordinance and to prevent any community health problem.

To set up an appointment for an inspection by the Allegan County Animal Control, call 269-673-0519.

Purchase License

Any person operating a Dog Kennel shall obtain a kennel license and tags from the Allegan County Treasurer. Submit the Kennel Inspection Certificate from Animal Control along with cash or check made payable to the Allegan County Treasurer.

The fee to be paid for a kennel license is $10.00 for 10 dogs or less, and $25.00 for more than 10 dogs. A fee of double the original license is charged for each previously licensed kennel, whose kennel license is applied for after June 1.

Forms and Resources

Pet Protection

Two options to help reunite pet owners with their lost dogs:

Microchip Implant

American Kennel Club's Companion Animal Recovery Program. A microchip is a permanent form of ID about the size of a grain of rice. For most animals, the chip is implanted just under the skin in the scruff of the neck. It is not a tracking device. When a hand-held scanner passes over the microchip, it reads the encoded number. This ID number is the only information stored in the microchip. Please contact your local veterinarian and/or visit www.akcreunite.org.

Tattoo

Michigan Department of Agriculture Tattoo Program. Tattoo Artists approved by the Michigan Department of Agriculture tattoo dogs with a state assigned, unique tattoo number (MI-(5 digit number)-A) in the dog's ear and inner thigh. The owners pay $1 to have the owner's contact information kept in the state registry. Individuals interested in having their dog tattooed should contact the MDA at 517-241-2748 to locate an individual approved by the department to tattoo dogs.

Dog License FAQs

Expand/Contract Questions and Answers

Why should I license my dog?
- Tells everyone that your dog is not a homeless stray
- Enables Animal Services to protect neighborhoods, just like yours, from dangerous dogs and enables them to investigate dog bites
- Helps keep the human and dog population from being infected by rabies
- Ensures the quick return of lost dogs to their owners
When do I need to purchase a license?
Get your license as early as possible, you could be subject to Court costs and fines. Purchase your license as soon as your dog has a curent rabies shot. Our licenses now correspond to the date of your rabies shot.
When is a dog required to be licensed?
All dogs must be licensed at:
- Four (4) months of age, or
- Within 30 days of acquisition, or
- Within 30 days after new residency in Allegan County
A license is required even when the dog is always kept indoors or on a farm.
My dog lost his tag. What do I do?
We issue replacement licenses free of charge. Send or bring in your copy of the license and an Affidavit of Lost Dog Tag to the Allegan County Treasurer's Office. If you do not have the copy of the original license, call or stop in to our office, and we will look up the information for you.
My dog has a rabies tag. Do I need a license?
Yes, it's the law. A Dog License is the only ID that can be quickly traced. It's the best protection your pet has.
My dog is just a puppy. Do I still need a license?
Yes, Michigan law requires all dogs 4 months and older be licensed. License your puppy right away. Puppies often get lost. A license for a puppy (12 months old or younger) costs $5.00.
My dog is a house dog. It never gets out. Do I need a License?
Yes, all dogs go out sometime. What if she runs out when the door is open? It is the house dog who never leaves the yard that can become easily lost if they venture just a little bit. Think of the license as an insurance policy.
What happens if I don't license my dog?
Failure to license could result in fines and court costs.
I recently moved to Allegan County and my dog is already licensed in our prior county. Do I need to get another license in Allegan County?
Yes, your dog needs to be licensed in the county in which it resides in. The license must be purchased within 30 days of residency.
I just got my dog. When do I have to buy a license?
Within thirty (30) days of acquisition, or when a puppy is 4 months old.
My dog died and now I have a new dog. Can I use the same license for the new dog?
No. No license tag issued for 1 dog can be transferred to another dog.
I gave my dog to my friend. Does she have to buy a new license?
No. Whenever the ownership or possession of any dog is permanently transferred from 1 person to another within the same county, the license of such dog can be likewise transferred. Please notify the County Treasurer's Office so we can update our records.
I'm taking my dog to Allegan County temporarily to go hunting. Do I need to get a license?
No. The law does not require the procurement of a new license, or the transfer of a license, when the possession of a dog is temporarily transferred, for the purpose of hunting game, or for breeding, trial, or show, in the State of Michigan.
When does my Dog License expire?
Licenses expire at the end of the same month as the dog's rabies vaccination. The expiration year is etched on the license tag.
How do I apply for a 'Kennel License'?
First, contact the Allegan County Animal Control at (269) 673-0519. They will inspect your facilities and issue a certification.

Secondly, bring your Kennel Inspection Certification to the Allegan County Treasurer’s Office and we will issue the license and tags.
I've moved, but am still in Allegan County. How do I change my address?
Please call our office at (269) 673-0260 or email treasurer@allegancounty.org, and we will update your information.
Does my dog have to wear his tag?
Yes, Michigan law requires that dogs wear the tag at all times, except when such dog is engaged in lawful hunting accompanied by its owner or custodian.
Do I have to get a license for my cat?
No, cats are not currently required to be licensed by state law. However, your local municipality might have rules regarding cats. Check with your city, village, or township office.