Dog Warden's Office & Shelter

The Portage County Dog Warden’s office is here to help the residents of Portage County with the following issues:

• Dogs running at large 
• Unlicensed Dogs
• Nuisance, Dangerous, and Vicious Dogs
• Dog bites
• Dogs attacking livestock
• Stray Dogs
• Lost and Found Dogs

Ohio law requires that all dogs be licensed by the time they are three months of age. All Dog Licenses MUST be renewed by JANUARY 31st each year regardless of when they were purchased.  Dog Licenses not Renewed by JANUARY 31st will be assessed a $15 PENALTY in addition to the cost of the licenses. A license can be obtained in our office, the County Auditor's office and several locations throughout the county. http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/955.01

All dogs must be kept under reasonable control at all times. This would include a pen, leash or chain, or be trained to respond to adult voice commands.  http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/955.22

This office does not handle calls involving cats or wild animals. Calls concerning wild life should be reported to the Ohio Division of Wildlife at 330-644-2293.

To report problems concerning cats or the abuse or neglect of any animal, please call the Portage Animal Protective League at 330-296-4022.

Our Office does not handle Barking Dog Complaints.  If you have a Barking Dog Complaint you should contact your municipal Police Department or your Township Trustee.  Those entities would enforce any Barking Dog/Nuisance Noise Ordinances.

Our office does have dogs available for adoption. Please feel free to stop and visit with the animals during regular office hours. You can also find our animals on PetFinder.com http://awos.petfinder.com/shelters/OH184.html