Dog owners will have a new way to buy the annual tags required of them this year thanks to the Lawrence County Auditor’s office.

Tags go on sale on Dec. 1 for $12 and must be purchased by Jan. 31. All funds go to support the operation of the county dog pound. Tags will be available at the usual retail venues as well as the auditor’s office in the courthouse. But this year they will also be available online at the auditor’s website.

“This is ready to go,” County Auditor Jason Stephens said.

Owners can pay for the tags online with all major credit cards. There will be a $2.50 processing fee. The tags will then be sent out to the owner’s home address.

“This is either for people who work or who do not live close to one of those retailers,” Stephens said. “Eventually we will have a database to see if they have paid for their dog tags.”

The pound’s budget covers the salaries of a full-time dog warden and two part-time assistants beside utilities and other facility costs. With the tag fees the pound is almost self-sufficient, Stephens said.

Tags can also be purchased at the pound on 1302 Adams Lane; Dickess Market, 13629 State Route 141, Kitts Hill; Petland in South Point; Moore’s Hardware, County Road 107, Proctorville and the Chesapeake Veterinarian Clinic on County Road 1.