Beginning December 1, 2025
Regular Dog License $19.00 Late Penalty $38.00
Three Year Dog License: $57.00
Life Time License: $190.00
Kennel License: $95.00 Late Penalty: $190.00
Puppy Tag After July 1st: $9.50 Puppy Penalty: $9.50
Dog & Kennel Fund
The Dog Warden’s Department and Adoption Center is funded through a specific county fund called the Dog & Kennel Fund. All revenue generated from dog license sales goes into the counties Dog & Kennel Fund and is used to fund the Dog Warden’s services and the shelter. From employee salary’s, keeping the lights on, and to basic supplies such as postage to mail out dog license registration forms the Dog Warden’s expenses are paid for from this fund. At this time no general county revenue or tax dollars is used for the day to day funding of the shelters or services.
Average Cost For Counties of Similar Population
Why the increase in 2026?
The Holmes County dog license fee has been increased only 2 times in the last 10 years. In 2022 the fee was increased from $15.00 to $17.00 and now in 2026 the fee will be increased from $17.00 to $19.00. Occasionally adjustments need to be made to the dog licenses fees to ensure the shelter and dog warden’s services can maintain its funding amidst rising costs of operations and unpredictable fluctuation of dog licensing sales. It is critical that the shelter can maintain funding so that it can continue offering exceptional services to the citizens and dogs of Holmes County, while working hard to keep its shelter and services meeting industry standards for the health and safety of its community. In the past several years their has been a decline in the number of registered kennels and a decline in the number of registered pet dogs. While there is a decline in tag sales it has been met with an increase in the cost to operate the shelter and dog warden services. Below is a table of current tag sale trends for Holmes County in the past 5 years.
| Year | # Pet Tags Sold | # Kennel License Sold |
| 2021 | 6505 | 1043 |
| 2022 | 8592 | 1339 |
| 2023 | 8048 | 1252 |
| 2024 | 7728 | 1096 |
| 2025 | 7258 | 972 |
Dog Warden’s Services
| Dog Warden | Shelter |
| Transport dogs to and from veterinary | Maintain the shelter as needed |
| Patrol County pick up strays or dogs running at large. | Provide food/water/and shelter to dogs at the facility. Get medical attention for dogs in need. |
| Enforce dog licensing requirements. | Clean interior and exterior kennels once a day sometimes two as needed. |
| Investigate dog bite incidents | Answer phones and assist citizens |
| Investigate livestock claims | Take lost and found reports |
| Conduct kennel inspections | Conduct intake on dogs coming in. |
| Investigate dog running at large complaints | Conduct outcome on dogs leaving. |
| Respond to stray dog and aggressive dog situations | Conduct meet and greets with potential adopters. |
| Investigate animal cruelty concerns for dogs | Clean the shelter daily |
| Participate in community events | Landscaping/ yard work weekly |
| Investigate underage puppy sale complaints and unlicensed kennel complaints | Promote dogs via social media through photo/video |
| Respond to after hours emergency’s | Manage social media page and emails. |
| Enforce Dangerous Dog Laws | Provide medication and vaccination to dogs |
| Provide assistance to other law enforcement agencies. | Participate in community events |
| Be present in court for arraignments and court procedures. | Walk dogs when volunteers are absent and work on behavior issues to help them become more adoptable |
| Manage Volunteer Program |
