Microchipping & Other Resources

Human-Animal Support Resources

Resources to aid in keeping pets in their home(PDF, 408KB), enhancing the human-animal bond, and support for the Franklin County Community.

Microchipping Your Pet

All dogs adopted from the Franklin County Dog Shelter are microchipped to their adopter.

To microchip your pet, visit Shelter Outreach Services (SOS) of Ohio to make an appointment.

Shelter Outreach Services of Ohio
3500 East Livingston Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43227
614-396-8707

Area Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Surgery Clinics

Many also offer vaccinations and other routine veterinary services.

Shelter Outreach Services Clinic
3500 East Livingston Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43227
614-396-8707

Rascal (Mobile) Unit
614-389-3500

Driving Park at Flint Animal Hospital
161 Park Road, Columbus, Ohio 43235
614-791-7729

Capital City Spay Neuter Clinic
2752 Sawbury Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio 43235 (behind the BP station)
614-761-7551

Columbus Humane Essential Care Center
3772 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43207
614-602-6700

Low Cost Rabies Clinics

The rabies immunization clinics are sponsored by Franklin County Public Health and the Columbus Academy of Veterinary Medicine. We would like to thank our other partners that make these clinics possible.

All dogs and cats in Franklin County are required to be vaccinated against rabies and are required to wear their rabies tag.

Rabies is a virus that attacks the nerves and brain tissue of most animals.

Free Prescription Discount Card

The Franklin County Prescription Discount Card is good for pets as well as pet owners! Use the card to save on prescription medications for your pet.

Learn more about discount programs.

Pet Safety

This Pet Safety Guide is here to help people secure their home specifically for pets. The guide includes tips on how to keep your house and yard in order, precautions to take when you are "out" and other helpful tips.

After Hours/24 Hour Emergency Vet Care

OSU Vet Emergency Services (Ohio State University District)
614-292-3551

MedVet (Worthington)
614-846-5800

MedVet (Hilliard)
614-870-0480

Veterinary Emergency Group (Dublin)
380-235-6233

Public Dog Parks

Alum Creek Dog Park
Alum Creek Dog Park is a 4-acre public dog park located in the Alum Creek State Park adjacent to the reservoir with water access for dogs to swim, a dog wash station, drinking water for dogs and their owners, and restroom facilities. Separate small dog area. Visit their website for more information.

Big Walnut Dog Park
Big Walnut Dog Park is the first off-leash public dog park in the city of Columbus. It is located on the east side of Columbus on Livingston Avenue and includes three fenced acres and a pond.

Breck Community Park
Pet-friendly park with separate off-leash areas for large and small dogs is located at located at 3005 Demorest Road, Grove City. The park also features walking and biking paths, and a water fountain with pet-bowl function.

Columbus Downtown Dog Park
Columbus Downtown Dog Park is located at the corner of Spring and Fourth Streets.

Columbus MetroParks
Columbus MetroParks offers 12 public pet trails at area public parks. All pets are required to be on a 6-foot or shorter leash. Visit their website and click on "parks" to find a pet-friendly trail at a park near you.

Godown Dog Park
Godown Dog Park is a public 10-acre park located near Linworth & Godown Roads, including one acre small dog area, a divided four-and-a-half acre large dog area with benches, a hydrant for filling water bowls, pathways winding through the park and a paved parking lot.

Granville Dog Park
Granville Dog Park is located in Wildwood Park north of Rt. 37 in Granville. It is a public dog park.

Heritage Trail Dog Park (Hilliard)
Public 4-acre dog park located at 7262 Hayden Run Road, at the Heritage Trailhead in Hilliard. It features 3-acre large and 1-acre small dogs areas and a doggie "sprinkle area" with water features and a doggie drinking fountain.

Nando's Dog Park
Nando's Dog Park is a public 2-acre dog park located in Darree Fields Park in Dublin. It features large and small dogs area and picnic facilities. Visit their website for more information.

Pizzurro Park Dog Park
Pizzurro Park Dog Park is a public 4 acre fenced park in Gahanna. It is open year 'round. It contains a separate fenced area for small dogs 25 pounds or less and an agility area for all dogs. A paved path runs through the large dog area making it accessible for wheelchairs.

Scioto Audubon Park
Scioto Audubon Park is a public 2-acre dog park located downtown on the Whittier Peninsula with separate areas for small dogs and large dogs, each with its own agility course.

Sycamore Plains Dog Park at Three Creeks Metro Park
Sycamore Plains Dog Park at Three Creeks Metro Park is a public 4-acre dog park with separate areas for large and small dogs. It is open 6:30 am - 10 pm during the summer months.

Violet Township Dog Park
Violet Township Dog Park at the corner of Stemen & Pickerington Road, a public dog park.

Walnut Woods Dog Park (Groveport)
A 4-acre public dog park in the new Buckeye Area of Walnut Woods Metro park just east of Groveport. Includes separate areas for large and small dogs, as well as a shallow swimming area.

Westerville Bark Park
Westerville Bark Park is a public 2-acre large dog park with areas for both large and small dogs located in Brookedge Park south of Schrock Road, east of Cleveland Avenue and west of Westerville Road. Entrance is securely gated, with a dog water fountain, hydrants, ADA access and activity stations.

Wheeler Park
Wheeler Park is a public four-acre park in the short north area with a fenced area for dogs.

Other public parks popular with dog owners include Goodale Park, Schiller Park, Park of Roses and Antrim Park.

Cat Shelters & Rescues

With the exception of a few resident shelter kitties, the Franklin County Dog Shelter only houses dogs. If you are looking to adopt a cat you may find them on our website, or visit one of these area shelters:

Columbus Humane
614-777-7387

Cat Welfare
614-268-6096

Citizens for Humane Action
614-891-5280