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Dog Licenses

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1. Who has to get a license?

All dogs must be licensed at:

-Four month of age or older, or

-New residents of Grand Traverse County (within 30 days), or

 -Newly acquired (within 30 days)

A license is required even when the dog is always kept indoors or on a farm.

2. Why should I license my dog?

It is Michigan Law that every dog is licensed. It verifies and identifies that your dog is up to date on it rabies vaccination. It provides additional identification for Animal Control and citizens to return your dog quickly should it be found.

3. My dog has a rabies tag. Do I need to buy a license?

>Yes. Michigan law requires that all dog be licensed. A dog license is the only ID that can be traced quickly by Animal Control Officers. 

4. My dog is a puppy. Do I still need a license?

Yes. Michigan law states that all dog over the age of 4 months of age be properly licensed.

5. I recently moved to Grand Traverse County and my dog is licensed in our previous county. Do I still need to buy a license?

Yes. Michigan law specifies that dogs need to be licensed in the county that it resides. The license must be purchased within 30 days of residency. If your dogs license is currently valid, please mail the current license and paperwork to: Grand Traverse County Treasurer's Office, 400 Boardman Ave STE 104, Traverse City, MI 49684, and we may be able to replace it for free. 

6. My dog lost their license, what do I need to do?

Please contact our office at (231) 922-4735, and we will replace it free of charge.

7. I purchased my dog's license at my Veterinarian, but I still received a renewal notice in the mail?

It can take us a couple of weeks to reconcile with our local veterinarians who partner with us and sell our licenses. We may have printed the renewal notice before you renewed your dog's license at the veterinarian or updated our database.

8. When do I need to renew my dogs license?

If you currently have a puppy, one year, or three year license it will expire the same MONTH of your dog’s rabies vaccination.

9. I have two dogs, but I only got a renewal notice for one of them?

Both dogs rabies may not expire in the same month. Licenses expire in the month the rabies expire. 

10. My dog died; how do I let the county know?

You can call our office at 231-922-4735, or email us at treasurer@gtcountymi.gov 

11. My dog died and now have a new dog. Can I use the same license?

No. Licenses are not able to be transferred to a different dog. Since we go by the rabies vaccination month, the dog’s rabies dates will be different.

12. I gave my dog to a friend. Does she have to buy a new license?

No. Whenever the ownership or possession of any dog is permanently transferred from one person to another within the same county, the license of the dog can likewise be transferred. Please contact the Treasurer’s office at (231) 933-4735 so we can update our records.

13. My dog is a service dog; do I need to buy him a license?

Yes, service dogs are required to have a license. We will license them free of charge if you come into our office and show proof that they dog is an active service dog. Examples of acceptable proof would be the service dog contract, a certified service dog card, or the identification badge issued by Paws with a Cause.

14. My dog cannot get a rabies shot due to a medical condition. How do I get them a dog license?

In order to get a dogs license without getting a rabies shot we would need a rabies waiver filled out as to why the dog cannot get a rabies shot, along with a signature of the veterinarian.  Please contact our office for a rabies waiver.  Once you have the waiver, please mail it along with payment to: Grand Traverse County Treasurer's Office, 400 Boardman Ave STE 104, Traverse City, MI 49684. We will then contact our animal control officer and they will decide if the dog can get a license without a rabies shot.

15. Does my dog have to wear his tag?

Yes, Michigan law requires that dogs wear their tag at all times, except when the dog is engaged in lawful hunting accompanied by its owner or custodian.

16. What will happen if I do not license my dog?

• You could receive a citation.

17. I forgot to license my dog, is there a late fee?

No there is no late fee but the license will expire the same month as your dog’s rabies vaccination. So if your dog’s rabies expiration is 10/31/2020 and you’re buying a 1 year tag in December 2020, that tag will expire 10/31/2021.

18. How much does a dog license cost?

The prices are as follows:

• 1 year spayed/neutered: $15
• 1 year male/female: $30
• 3 year spayed/neutered: $30
• 3 year male/female: $60
• Puppy- 8 months and younger: $8

19. Where can I purchase a dog license?

Stop by our office(400 Boardman Ave, Traverse City, MI 49684) or one of our authorized Licensing Locations.  Please bring your dogs current/valid rabies certificate. A certificate of sterilization is also required if the information is not stated on the rabies certificate or is incorrect.  Rabies certificates will be returned to you for your records.  

*Per Michigan Law the Rabies shot is required to be administrated by a certified veterinarian*