Parks, Recreation, and Community Service

Patrols to Enforce Pet License Rules

KENT, Wash. – November 3, 2010 - Pet owners who fail to obtain pet licenses now face fines, and King County Regional Animal Services officers are providing additional patrols throughout Kent to enforce the new rules which went into effect October 1. 

The fines -- $125 for a spayed or neutered pet; $250 for an unaltered pet -- come along with changes in license fees, which help support the costs of providing animal care and control for Kent and 26 other cities.  

All dogs and cats over eight weeks of age in Kent must have licenses. Pet licenses for spayed animals are $30; $60 for unaltered pets. There are a number of discounts for disabled and senior residents, as well as for those with juvenile pets up to six months old. 

According to King County records, of the estimated 47,000 dogs and cats in Kent, only 17% are licensed.  To date, Kent’s pet licensing compliance rate is among the lowest in King County. 

Residents can purchase pet licenses online at www.KentPetLicense.com or in person at the Customer Services Counter in Centennial Center at Kent City Hall. The licenses can also be purchased at 7 other locations in Kent, including the East Hill QFC grocery store. 

Representatives of Regional Animal Services are also selling pet licenses door-to-door. They have official King County photo identification and wear bright blue polo shirts, windbreakers or winter jackets with the pet licensing logo. 

Animal license fees help to fund animal services including food and shelter for stray and abandoned animals, lost and found services, animal cruelty investigations and resources to address complaints about vicious animals, and pet adoptions. 

Contact:
Michelle Witham
253-856-5709
mwitham@ci.kent.wa.us