To most, pets are like part of the family. What better time of year to show your furry friends how much you care about them than Christmas?

While you’re out shopping for Fido, don’t forget to add a little sparkle to his collar by purchasing a 2016 dog license from the county auditor’s office.

Tags for the New Year went on sale this week and all proceeds go to the Lawrence County Animal Shelter. Not only do the tags help keep the animal shelter running, keeping your canine friends up-to-date on licensing is the law.

Those who are found without tags on their dog can be fined.

The cost for licensing a dog is $12. That’s not much to pay for peace of mind should Fido get loose and run away. Without a tag, dogs that get picked up by animal control can end up in the animal shelter with no identification as to whom they belong.

Licenses may be purchased online at the Lawrence County Auditor’s website www.lawrencecountyauditor.org or at the following locations:

• Lawrence County Dog Shelter, 1302 Adams Lane, Ironton;

• Dickess Market, 13629 State Route 141;

• Tipton’s Mini Mart, 6366 State Route 93;

• Jim’s Gun Shop, 300 Front St., Proctorville;

• BMV-Proctorville, 402 Trent St., Proctorville; and

• Lawrence County Auditor’s Office, second floor of the courthouse.

If all pet owners do their part, dogs in the county can be found easily if lost, as well as provide some much needed revenue to the animal shelter and its mission to finding homes for the unwanted pets.