Missing Pet

If a lost pet is turned in to Regional Animal Services of King County, or picked up by one of our animal services officers, we will try to identify the pet and call its owners. This is why pet licenses are so important: so we can reunite lost pets with their families. Lost animals are also scanned for microchips.

If the pet does not have ID, or if we cannot return it home right away, we will impound the animal and shelter it for safekeeping to give you time to look for it.

Stray/unlicensed animals impounded will be held for 72 hours (120 hours for Normandy Park and Algona) to allow owners to redeem them. Licensed pets are held for five days. When a licensed animal is impounded, we will attempt to return the animal home prior to its being taken to the animal shelter.

A recorded roster of impounded animals can be heard by calling 206-296-PETS (press 311 for dogs, 312 for cats). It remains the responsibility of the owner to locate missing pets. Pet owners are encouraged to visit the Pet Adoption Center in Kent to physically check for a missing pet.

Other suggestions include posting "lost pet" flyers in your area, canvassing your neighborhood and asking if anyone has seen your lost pet, and placing classified ads in local papers.

You may also want to contact our Mission Reunite team, affiliated with Missing Pet Partnership, for help in locating your pet.

Some websites offer help in reuniting families with their lost pets. Consider posting an image of your lost pet on a site such as www.returnmypet.com or using an animal search site such as www.petharbor.com.

For questions or comments, please call 206-296-3936, or e-mail pets@kingcounty.gov.