2011 Dog License Update

For 2011, the Washtenaw County Treasurer will offer dog owners one-year and three-year licenses that expire on the same date as their dog's rabies vaccination. The new dog licenses will go on sale starting December 2010.

Instead of applying for a license that is valid for an entire calendar year, new licenses will only be valid while a dog has a current rabies vaccination certificate. Dog owners will have until the last day of the month of the dogs current rabies license to apply for a new one. A one-time transitional license will be available to all owner's with current dog license in order to "catch-up" their dogs license to its expiration date. See details below.

Reasons for Change

This change will provide more flexible options for license purchases. Owners will now be able to synchronise their dog's rabies shot with their license renewal. Owners with dogs that have three-year rabies vaccinations can now purchase a three-year license, reducing the frequency of renewals.

This change will also increase public safety by reducing the likelihood of a dog being licensed without a valid rabies certificate.

Three-Year Licenses

Three-year licenses are now available to owners with dogs that have a three-year rabies vaccination. All other licensing requirements remain the same.

Transitional Licenses

During this transition period, dog owners who currently have a 2010 dog license will receive a special renewal notification in the mail before December 1. They will have a one-time renewal option of purchasing a monthly license at the rate of $1 per month. This will allow them to "catch up" their dog's license to its current rabies expiration date.

For example, if renewing a license for a dog whose vaccination expiration date is September 3, 2010, the owner could purchase a one-time nine-month license for $9 for a spayed or neutered dog ($18 unaltered). After this "catch-up" license expires, the owner would have until September 30 2010 to purchase a 1-year or 3-year license for their dog.

One-year and three-year licenses will still be available for purchase online at http://dogs.ewashtenaw.org.

New Pricing Structure

The fee schedule for dog licenses is set by resolution of the County Board of Commissioners, 2010, for licenses sold through the Treasurer's Office.  The annual fees for dog licenses are as follows:

• Spayed/Neutered Dog

      - 1 Year: $12.00
      - 3 Year: $36.00

• Unaltered Dog

     -1 Year: $24.00
     -3 Year: $72.00

• Service Dog - No Charge

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office at: (734) 222-6600 or email dogs@ewashtenaw.org