FDHS Programs & Services

We have various services to assist pet owners. Many of these are offered at a reduced cost! Please read below for an overview of the resources and programs available.

Low-Cost Spay & Neuter Program

We have spayed/neutered hundreds of dogs and cats.  If you are doing your part to spay and neuter stray cats, or your own pets, we thank you!

Why?

Spaying and neutering pets means:

• Stopping unwanted litters
• Making pets less likely to run away
• Making pets less likely to bite
• Making pets more trainable
• No messy heat cycles
• Pets are less likely to urine mark
• Pets are less likely to develop certain cancers

FDHS Clinics

We offer alteration and wellness options for both canines and  felines at our onsite surgery suite. You can register in person at the shelter or via phone.  All fees are due prior to services and can be paid by cash, check, or card.  For cancelled appointments within 48 hours of surgery day, a refund will be issued minus a $20 administration fee.

All owned pets are REQUIRED to have a current rabies vaccine at the time of their appointment, or one will be given at the time of surgery for an additional $15. Please bring a digital or hard copy of their rabies certificate to the appointment; a rabies tag alone will not be accepted as proof. 

Please contact us at 419-658-2298 to schedule your appointment.

Costs for Cats:

• Spay – $150
• Neuter – $100
• Spay Bundle $205 – includes Spay, FeLV/FIV Test, FVRCP Vaccine, Pain Medication
• Neuter Bundle $155 – includes Neuter, FeLV/FIV Test, FVRCP Vaccine, Pain Medication

Additional Feline Services:

• FELV/FIV Test $35
• Feline Leukemia Vaccine $35
• FVRCP Vaccine $30
• Rabies Vaccine $15
• Flea Prevention $30
• Microchip $30
• Nail Trim $15
• Ear Clean $20

Extra Costs:

• Females in heat – $50
• Pregnant Females* – $30
• Non-descended testes* – $50
• Pyometra/Spay Section – $100

*If pregnancy is determined prior to surgery, the spay will not be done and the owner will be notified. If non-descended testes are found, the neuter will not be done. The difference of original payment minus the extra cost will be refunded.

Costs for Dogs:

• Spay – $190
• Neuter – $160
• Spay Bundle – (Spay, HW test, DHLPP/Bordetella Vaccines, Pain Medication) = $270
• Neuter Bundle – (Neuter, HW test, DHLPP/Bordetella Vaccines, Pain Medication) = $240

Additional Canine Services:

• Heartworm Test – $35
• DHLPP (includes Distemper & Parvo) – $30
• Bordetella Vaccine – $25
• Rabies Vaccine – $15
• Microchip – $30
• Flea Prevention – $35
• Nail Trim – $15
• Ear Clean – $20

Extra Costs:

• Dogs 80lbs – 100lbs – $25
• XL Dogs 100+ pounds – $40
• Females in heat – $50
• Pregnant Females* – $30
• Non-descended testes* – $50
• Pyometra/Spay Section – $100

*If pregnancy is determined prior to surgery, the spay will not be done and the owner will be notified. If non-descended testes are found, the neuter will not be done. The difference of original payment minus the extra cost will be refunded.

Questions?

Please call (419) 658-2298 or email us.

Report Cruelty and Neglect

Fort Defiance Humane Society employs the area’s only Humane Agent. Please call us at 419-658-2298 to report any acts of animal abuse or neglect.  In 2023, we responded to over 200 potential animal abuse calls.

Neglect is the failure to provide an animal with the necessities of care such as access to food and fresh water, shelter from the weather (hot or cold), a clean living environment, and/or veterinary care.

Intentional cruelty is when an individual purposely inflicts physical harm or injury to an animal.

Our Team will need:

• The address where the animal is located
• A description of why you are concerned about the animal
• Your name and phone number in case our officer needs additional information.

PAW’s Project

FDHS is one of several agencies participating in a multiple county initiative to protect the animals belonging to victims of domestic violence.

The animals which we will target our efforts include:

1. Any animal that has experienced animal cruelty, has been abandoned, injured, poisoned, etc. by the perpetrator of domestic violence as defined in ORC Chapter 959: Offenses Relating to Domestic Animals.
2. Any animal that has resided in a home where violence has been known to occur.

Intervention by law enforcement and the criminal justice system, together with cooperation by social service agencies and hospitals, increases the chances that abusive situations will be recognized, appropriately dealt with, and offenders held accountable. If you would like more information about this program, please contact us at 419-658-2298.

Animal Surrender

Animal surrenders are done by appointments only. At times, based on our capacity, we may need to place you on our incoming waiting list. Please contact us to find out more about our process.

Fees for dogs and cats:

• In Defiance County – $100
• In Defiance County (6 years old or more) – $150
• Outside of Defiance County – $150

For another rehoming option, visit rehome.adoptapet.com.

For more information on how rehoming option through Adopt-a-Pet.com works, visit https://rehome.adoptapet.com/how-it-works and the Pet Owner FAQ https://rehome.zendesk.com/hc/en-us

Stray Animals

Because we have limited space available at our facility, please contact us first if you come across a stray animal. We are not able to accept feral or barn cats.

When dropping off a stray, we would politely ask that you make a donation of any amount to help cover the cost of care for the animal.

Pet Food Assistance

We are very fortunate to have such generous local and national resources that donate food to FDHS. While we first must ensure we have enough food to care for the “guests” at FDHS, from time to time we may have excess pet food available to assist others in need in our community.

If you are in need of pet food assistance, please contact us at 419-658-2298 and we will do our best to help you or provide you with other resources to contact.

Dog Licenses

Why Register Your Dog?

Licensing is a requirement of state law. However, there is another good reason for licensing your dog. If your animal is missing, FDHS or the Dog Warden can quickly notify you your pet has been found, that way you can quickly claim him. Sec 955.12 of the Ohio Revised Code allows us to hold a licensed dog for up to 14 days, after notifying the owner. If a dog is unlicensed, the law allows it to be held for only 3 days.

• All dogs 3 months of age or older must have tags.
• Licenses are $24.75 from December 1 to January 31.
• After this date a $24.00 penalty will apply (total $48.75 each tag).
• Three (3) year and permanent tags are only available at the Auditor’s Office.
• Newly acquired dogs are $24.75 (within 30 days of acquisition).
• Duplicate tags are $5.00 and only available at the Auditor’s Office.

Where to Register

Due to the COVID-19 situation, Fort Defiance Humane Society will not be selling 2022 dogs tags to the public.  We will only be issuing to those people adopting dogs.  2022 dog tags can be purchased at the following locations:

*Defiance County Auditor’s Office

*Ayersville Carry Out

*Family Farm and Home

*Defiance Veterinary Clinic

Service Dogs

Service dogs (guide, leader, and support animals) must also be licensed, but their fee is waived. Once they are registered with the County, they are permanently licensed by receiving a special tag available only at the Auditor’s Office.

If Your Dog Moves to a New Home

The new owner is required to record the ownership change with the County Auditor. They must present a transfer of ownership certificate (available at the Auditor’s Office) and pay a transfer fee of $5.00.