City of Offenbach introduces digital dog tag: Digitization ensures more efficient process

On January 1, 2026, the city of Offenbach will introduce the digital dog tag. From then on, the previous metal dog tag will no longer be valid. "The digital dog tag is a further step towards a modern, citizen-oriented administration. It makes it easier to provide proof of dog tax, saves time and money and at the same time meets the needs of dog owners," says City Treasurer Martin Wilhelm, welcoming the change.

The issuing of dog tags serves as proof of tax registration for the registered dog. Instead of a metal dog tag, which used to jingle on the collars of Offenbach dogs, from the new year all information will be stored behind a QR code. From then on, future owners will find this on the dog tax notices. For existing dogs already registered, new dog tax notices with the printed QR code will be issued at the beginning of 2026. The QR code must then be carried by the person walking the dog in order to be able to present it during an inspection. The local public order service or other authorities can then simply read it out.

The QR code can either be scanned with a cell phone and the tag loaded directly into the wallet or the code can simply be photographed from the dog tax notice and saved as an image file. However, the cell phone should be carried when walking the dog and be sufficiently charged. Alternatively, the QR code can also be presented in paper form. Multiple solutions are also possible here. It is only important that the QR code is legible in the event of an inspection. The introduction of the digital version also eliminates the inconvenience of losing and replacing the metal tags.

"In the past, people have repeatedly expressed the wish that dogs should not wear physical dog tags when out on walks, as these make a noise when they come into contact with harnesses, leads or other tags, which can irritate the dogs," explains Martin Wilhelm. "By replacing the tags with a QR code, we are optimizing the process, saving the purchase of tags and meeting the wishes of many dog owners. All households with dogs can now decide for themselves whether they want to carry a printout of the QR code or a picture of it on their smartphone. This can also be easily transferred to other devices."