The Summit County Animal Control Department will be proactive, innovative, compassionate, efficient, and effective in all aspects of the operations and responsibilities assigned to this department. This Department will provide compassionate care for impounded animals and responsible enforcement of canine laws, thereby creating a safer and more desirable community for the citizens of Summit County.
The 19,494 square foot state-of-the-art Animal Control Facility opened in August of 2010. Animal Control is a high performance green facility with administrative office space, an adoption zone, an intake area, outdoor visiting space, quarantine quarters, staff locker rooms, a veterinary clinic and more.
Our team is here to help you choose a dog that fits well with your family, home, and The County of Summit Division of Animal Control provides temporary shelter for lost and stray dogs. All dogs are held for a minimum of 72 hours to allow their owners the opportunity to reclaim them. If they are not reclaimed within that time, they may become available for adoption or be transferred to one of our partner agencies.
In Ohio, all owned dogs are required to be licensed each year and must wear their license tag. Licenses can be conveniently purchased through the DocuPet website at summitcountyoh.docupet.com, or you may contact our office for more information.
- Petfinder (Link) View dogs available for adoption on Petfinder
- Animal Control Facebook Page (Link) View adoptable animals on our Facebook page.
- Greater Good Program (Page)
ADOPTION
Adoption services at the County of Summit Division of Animal Control are affordable, comprehensive and unique. The cost to adopt a dog is $94. The County of Summit Division of Animal Control accepts cash, checks and credit cards (i.e. American Express, Discover and MasterCard).
Flea treatments, intestinal de-worming and most all vaccinations are given to animals upon entering the facility; while, blood work, spay/neuter operations and vaccinations for Rabies are provided at the point of adoption. All adopted animals are also mirco-chipped at no additional cost. Microchips are registered with 24Petwatch.
Finding the Right Dog for You
Our team is here to help you choose a dog that fits well with your family, home, and lifestyle.
Available Dogs
Animal Control provides temporary shelter for lost and stray dogs. By law, all dogs are held for a minimum of 72 hours to allow owners time to reclaim them. After this holding period, unclaimed dogs may become available for adoption.
Before You Adopt
Bringing a dog into your home is a long-term commitment. Veterinary care, food, grooming, preventatives, and other essentials can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars each year. You should also be prepared for house training and normal behavioral challenges such as chewing, barking, and digging.
Please make sure you are ready for the financial, physical, and emotional responsibilities of dog ownership.
Adoption Eligibility
To adopt, the following requirements must be met:
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You must be at least 18 years old.
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Children 9 years old or younger who live in the home must meet the dog prior to adoption.
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Any dogs currently in your household must participate in a successful meet-and-greet with the potential new dog.
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Please confirm any breed or weight restrictions with your landlord or HOA, if applicable.
Vaccinations
Dog vaccinations include: Adenovirus 2, Bordetella, Canicola, Distemper, Grippotyphosa, Icterohaemorrhagia, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus 2b, Pomona and Rabies.
Vaccination boosters are given on an as needed basis.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH & SPEAKER PROGRAMS
The Summit County Division of Animal Control is committed to educating the public on responsible pet ownership, animal safety, and local regulations. Our community outreach and speaker programs offer free, expert presentations for schools, community groups, civic clubs, and organizations.
Common Speaker Topics Include:
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Pet Safety & Bite Prevention: Understanding canine body language, recognizing warning signs, and learning how to prevent dog bites.
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Responsible Pet Ownership: Licensing requirements, vaccinations, microchipping, and the importance of spay/neuter services.
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Emergency Preparedness: How to keep pets safe and secure during natural disasters or emergency situations.
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Local Ordinances & State Laws: Information about rabies control, pet care standards, and the role of animal services in Summit County.
Representatives from Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro’s Division of Animal Control welcome the opportunity to speak at youth programs, community events, and organizational meetings on topics such as pet safety, licensing, and adoption services. To schedule a free speaker presentation, please call (330) 643-2845.
As part of our ongoing efforts to support responsible pet ownership, the Division of Animal Control actively participates in community events throughout Summit County. These may include adoption events, low-cost spay/neuter initiatives, educational fairs, pet-friendly activities, and more.
DOG LICENSING
According to the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), citizens who own, keep or harbor a dog more than three months of age are required to purchase a dog license on an annual basis.
For the nominal fee of $18, a dog license places citizens into compliance with the state law, provides citizens with proof of ownership documentation and the legal authorization to visit area dog parks and participate in pet-friendly community activities. All funds generated from the sale of dog licenses are used to feed, house and vaccinate abandoned animals in need.
Dog licenses must be renewed annually from December 1st through January 31st, or within 30 days of acquiring a new dog. Puppies must be licensed by the time they reach three months of age. Citizens who fail to meet these deadlines may be penalized with a $18 late fee. The transgression can also escalate to fines, legal citations and jail time.
Licenses for dogs providing assistance to disabled persons are free of charge and valid throughout the duration of the animal's life. Proof of training must be submitted with the application.
Dog licenses are now sold exclusively online through DocuPet. To purchase a license, please visit summitcountyoh.docupet.com. For additional information or assistance, please contact the Summit County Fiscal Office.
Single-Year......................$18
Three-Year......................$54
Permanent License..........$180
FINDING A MISSING PET
To find a missing pet, the County of Summit encourages citizens to visit the Division of Animal Control and personally view the dogs being housed. In 2019, this hands-on process led to over 500 animals being reunited with their owners.
In order to redeem a lost pet, a valid form of state identification must be presented. Fees associated with providing food, housing, vaccinations must be paid in full before leaving the facility with your pet. If a citizen is redeeming a dog, a license must me purchased.
Time is of the essence when locating a missing pet. The Division of Animal Control operates under the strict policy of holding licensed animals for 14 days before evaluating the pet for adoption; whereas, non-licensed animals are evaluated after three days.
Dogs brought to the Division of Animal Control are immediately examined for owner identification materials (i.e. a dog license, a name tag and/or a microchip). If ownership data is discovered, our staff immediately notifies the registered owner and the redemption process is set in motion.
Missing Pet Reports may be filed with the Division of Animal Control in person or over the phone by calling (330) 643-2845.
