Pet Licenses

1. Found pets are reunited quickly with their owner. The Pet License office number is on the license. If someone finds your pet, they will call the number, get your contact information, even after hours, and reunite you and your pet. 
2. Your pet gets a free ride home the first time it is found. County staff will attempt to deliver your pet home to you immediately, skipping a trip to the animal shelter.
3. Your pet gets a longer care period. When found, your licensed pet will be safely cared for at the Pet Adoption Center for a longer time.
4. You and your pet get the Vacation Pet Alert. When you leave home on vacation, call 206-296-2712 to register where your pet will be while you are on vacation, who will be taking care of your pet and where to reach you. We will call the correct number if your pet gets loose during your vacation.
5. License fees support the return of hundreds of lost pets to their homes and help adopt thousands of homeless pets to new families every year. Pet license fees also fund investigation of animal neglect or cruelty, spay/neuter programs to reduce pet over-population, and community education services.

Type	Comments	Cost
Juvenile	Under 6 months of age; 6 months expiration	$15
Altered	Proof of spay/neuter required (PDF)	$30
Unaltered	Eligible for a $25 voucher toward spay/neuter	$60
Senior	Proof that pet is altered (PDF) and proof that owner is 65 years of age or older is required	$15
Disabled	Proof that pet is altered (PDF) and proof of disability (PDF)	$15
Service Animal	Statement that owner has a disability and animal is a service animal	$0

Yes, there are fees for late renewals and fines for unlicensed pets.

Days Past Expiration	Type	Additional Cost
45-90	Late fee	$15
91-135	Late fee	$20
136-364	Late fee	$30
365 or more	Late fee	$30 + prior year's license fee

King County pet licenses are required for all dogs and cats 8 weeks of age or older in most areas of the county served by Regional Animal Services. A pet license identifies and protects your dog or cat in case they get lost. Also, pet licenses offer other great benefits as well.

Even indoor-only cats or pets confined to fenced yards get loose and their licenses help assure you can be reunited with them. Licenses are inexpensive identification and are for your pet's protection and safety. License revenue also makes it possible to reunite lost pets with their families and for adoption services for homeless pets.

Dogs and cats must be licensed in all unincorporated King County and contracting cities. However, the cities on this list issue their own pet licenses. Please contact them directly for pet license information if you live within their city limits.

Online. Purchase or renew your pet's license online.

In Person. Buy a pet license in person at many convenient locations throughout King County.

Mail. Download an application form (PDF), or visit a convenient location near you to pick up an application form, and complete the Owner's Statement of Spay or Neuter form (PDF).

Mail the following materials:

Completed application 

Proof of pet spay/neuter or affidavit (if applicable)

Proof of your age (if applying for senior citizen license)

Check made payable to King County Pet License

Mail to:
King County Pet Licenses
500 Fourth Ave., Suite 403
Seattle, WA 98104

There are more than 300 convenient locations, including many QFC stores, in King County where you can purchase a pet license or obtain a mailer. Check the licensing locations page for a location near you.

King County now issues permanent, stainless-steel tags intended to last the lifetime of your pet. However, if your pet does lose its license tag, just mail us your tag number OR your name, address, and pet's name along with a check for $5.00 (or go to one of our convenient locations). We will send you a new tag.

Purveyors of kennels, hobby kennels, catteries and guard-dog related businesses in the RASKC service area require specific licenses. Download the pet-related business flyer for details, or call 206-296-2710 for more information.

If you are over 65, or if your pet is under 6 months of age, you may qualify for a discounted pet license.

If you are over 65 years old

If your pet is spayed/neutered, you are eligible for a discounted senior citizen pet license. This license costs $15.00 and is renewed annually. Please provide proof of your age and proof of pet's spay/neuter.

Pet is under six months old

If your pet is under 6 months of age, you qualify for a $15 dollar juvenile pet license that is good for 6 months. After that, the full pet license fee of $30 for a spayed/neutered pet or $60 for an unaltered pet applies.

Yes. King County canvassers issue license tags for your dog(s) and/or cat(s) right while they are at your doorstep. This is a great convenience to you, and provides great protection for your pet. Canvassers may visit you if you live anywhere in our service area.

Pet licensing canvassers have official King County photo identification and wear bright blue polo shirts or windbreakers or a winter jacket with the pet licensing logo. Hours are generally Sundays 1 to 8 p.m., Mondays - Fridays 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Door-to-door marketers accept payment and issue license tags for your dogs and cats right while they are at your doorstep. When a door-to-door canvasser comes to your door, please welcome him or her.

If you have a disability and use a service animal to assist you, you can receive a King County pet license at no cost. Along with a completed pet license application, include a signed statement certifying that you have a disability and that your animal is used to assist you due to your disability.

The pet license fee is waived, but you will receive an annual renewal notice requesting your confirmation that this pet is still being used as a service animal. Once we receive your confirmation, a free license is sent. If you keep the animal after it retires from service, the annual license fee will be due.

Definition of a service animal: "Service or assistive animal" means a dog guide, signal or hearing dog, seizure response dog, therapeutic companion animal or other animal that does work, performs tasks or provides medically necessary support for the benefit of an individual with a disability.

The fine for an unlicensed pet is $125 for a spayed/neutered pet, and $250 for an unaltered pet.

Call the RASKC pet licensing office at 206-296-2712 to report that you no longer have your pet, or submit a Pet Owner Information Update form, available at this link.