Dog Licensing

If your dog is more than 5 months of age a license is required. You must provide proof of current rabies vaccination to purchase your license. A license can be purchased from your municipal clerk from January 1st through January 31st of each year.  Licensing is also available in the County Clerk Office year-round.

License Fees for 2025:
License fees are $10.00 for a neutered/spayed and $20.00 for an unneutered/unspayed dog. A kennel license is $75.00 for up to 12 dogs and $3.00 for additional dog. 

 

PLEASE NOTE:

STARTING APRIL 1, 2025 A $5.00 LATE FEE WILL BE APPLIED TO ANY UNLICENSED DOGS.

STARTING JULY 1, 2025 A $30.00 LATE FEE WILL BE APPLIED TO ANY UNLICENSED DOGS.

You may pay online at https://ruskcounty.org/payonline.

Licenses will be issued when a current rabies certificate is on file - you can email doglicenses@ruskcountywi.us a copy of the certificate.

Thank you!

 

Notice To All Dog Owners - Legal Requirements
The below notice is published in the local newspaper each year in January and again in March as a reminder to all dog owners.

  • Rabies
    Your dog must be vaccinated against rabies within 30 days after the dog reaches 4 months of age and re-vaccinated within one year.   Adult dogs must be vaccinated every three years.   WI Stats 95.21(2)
  • Licenses
    If your dog is more than 5 months of age on January 1st of any year, a license is required.   You must provide proof of rabies vaccination to receive your license.   WI Stats 174.05(1) and 174.07(1)(a) and (b)
  • Fees
    License fees are $10.00 for a neutered/spayed and $20.00 for an unneutered/unspayed dog.   A kennel license is $75.00 for up to 12 dogs, and $3 for each additional dog.  A late penalty fee of $5.00 per dog is assessed for any fee received after March 31 thru June 30 of the current year. The fee will be increased to $30.00 for all license fees received after June 30 of the current year.  WI Stats 174.05(2), 174.053(1), 174.05(5) and 174.053(1).   Rusk County Ordinance Ch. 15.05(K).
  • Penalties
    Failure to vaccinate your dog is subject to forfeit not less than $50 or more than $100.   Failure to have your dog licensed is subject to a forfeit not less than $25 or more than $100.   An owner who allows his dog to run at large or be untagged is subject to a forfeit of not less than $25 or more than $100 for first offense.  WI Stats 95.21(10)(a), 174.042(4).

Renew Your Dog’s License Online

  • In order to renew online you will need to make sure the rabies information on file is up to date or provide by email the current rabies vaccination certificate.
  • The online system will ask for an account number, please just place a "0" in that line and fill in the rest of the information, we will take care of that once the payment is submitted and rabies vaccination has been verified.