Ottumwa's Municipal Code requires all dogs in the City over six months old to be licensed. Licensing helps ensure all dogs in the City are properly immunized against rabies. License tags also help identify lost animals, helping officials to quickly reunite lost pets with their owners. Dogs kept in a State licensed kennel for breeding and sale purposes are exempt from the licensing requirement.

City dog licenses for 2010 are now available at the City Clerk's Office is located at City Hall, 105 East Third Street or at the Ottumwa Police Department Records Desk on the first floor of the Joint Law Center at 320 West Second Street. Holders of 2009 dog licenses have until January 31st to renew their license without violation.

At the time of application, the owner must present a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian showing the dog has been vaccinated against rabies and the vaccination will not expire within six months from the date of issuance of the license. The license fee is $2.00 per dog. All City dog licenses issued in calendar year 2009 have now expired.

In addition to the City dog license, all dogs in the city are required to have a current rabies vaccination. The fine for not having a current City dog license or current rabies vaccination is $75, plus court costs, for each charge.