First, it was online marriage license applications.
Now the dogs are getting their day.
Beginning in December, dog owners in Lackawanna County will be able apply, pay and print their dog licenses online under an agreement approved Wednesday by the county commissioners.
To use the online system, dog owners may visit the website, www.padogli cense.com, and follow the instructions on the main page, said Treasurer Edward Karpovich, whose office handles dog licensing in the county.
"The system - I've seen it - is very user-friendly," he said. "It's fast and it's secure."
Mr. Karpovich said there is a $2 fee for the use of the online service. It is on top of the annual license fee, which can range up to $8.45.
Once the online application and payment have been finalized, residents will be able to print their licenses on the spot. The treasurer's office will receive automatic notification and mail the dog tags to the owner, generally within a few days.
Mr. Karpovich said his office is providing the service as a convenience to county residents but also to protect the county's dog population.
The county's 911 emergency dispatchers as well as dog wardens will have around-the-clock access to the online database to facilitate the speedy and safe return of lost dogs to their owners, even on holidays and weekends, he said.