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Ottawa County Media Room

Our goal is to be receptive, responsive and transparent.  Members of the media seeking interviews or information are encouraged to contact the Communications Manager, Shannon Felgner.

A handful of County Offices respond to media inquiries directly including:
Ottawa County Health Department - Kristina Wieghmink (616) 494-5597
Ottawa County Community Mental Health - Anna Bednarek (616) 494-5545
MI Works! & Community Action Agency - Mike Stock (616) 494-3403
Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office - (616) 738-4000 following the prompts to the Sheriff’s Office
If you are having trouble determining to whom you should direct your inquiry, the Communications Manager is a great place to start. 

Do you feel like you are the last to know about an Ottawa County Press Release? We are happy to add you to our media contact list. Email or call Shannon Felgner at (616) 738-4672.

Governor's Declaration of Disaster

Advisories

Current Press Releases

May 23, 2013

Ottawa Pushing Dog Licenses

Last year, there were 17,878 active dog licenses in Ottawa County. Officials believe that this accounts for only about a third of the actual dogs living within the county. Beginning in June, Ottawa County will begin a dog census to assess if canines in the county are accounted for and licensed. In 2003, the number of dogs licensed peaked at 20,628 but has steadily declined since then. Michigan law requires that all dogs four months and older be licensed. Dog licenses ensure that pets are vaccinated against rabies and that lost dogs can quickly be reunited with their owners. They also save dollars by eliminating the need to return strays to the animal shelter. "In many households, pets are part of the family. Licensing your dog dramatically increases the odds of your pet being returned to you if it is ever lost," commented Shannon Felgner, Communications Manager for Ottawa County. "A dog license can be the difference between your dog finding its way home or being kept in a shelter. All in all, getting a dog license is part of being a responsible dog owner."

Representatives from Ottawa County will be going door to door beginning June 4. Households with unlicensed dogs will be given information on how and where to obtain a license. Those who choose to not follow through on licensing risk being ticketed. County officials are encouraging owners to register their dogs now--before the census begins.Dog licenses can be purchased online, by mail or in person in either one or three year increments. Owners must provide a current rabies certificate and proof of spaying or neutering (if applicable.) Owners can visit miOttawa.org to order the license online or obtain one by mail. In person, dog owners can visit one of overtwo dozen locations selling licenses, including many local government offices and veterinarians. The cost of a license varies from $10 to $70.

Suggested Tweet: Dog census to begin in June. Get that license before the knock on the door! Available at miOttawa.org

Media Contact(s):

Lt. Lee Hoeksema, Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, 616-738-4041
Bradley Slagh, Ottawa County Treasurer, 616-994-4505
Shannon Felgner, Ottawa County Administrator's Office, 616-738-4672

Freedom of Information Act Requests

All requests made under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act will be processed in accordance with the requirements of the act. Requests for public information should be made to the department which is responsible for the custody of the records.

Shannon Felgner,
Communications Manager

Main Office

12220 Fillmore Street
Room 210
West Olive, MI 49460
Phone: (616) 738-4672
FAX: (616) 738-4888
Monday - Friday:
8:00am - 5:00pm