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License your pet

License your pet

Pet licensing made easy

Whether you are purchasing a pet license for the first time, renewing an existing license, updating your pet's information or requesting a replacement tag - residents that live in the RASKC coverage area can access the online system anytime, anywhere.

Note for online licensing: A bank processing fee of 2.35% ($2 minimum) will be applied to all card transactions; a $1 fee will apply to all e-check transactions. No part of the convenience fee goes to King County.

Did you know?

 

Licensing your pet helps RASKC gives thousands of animals a second chance by providing quality care to pets, including servicing the community with 24/7 animal control response. More importantly, a license protects your pet. Should they become lost, for the good samaritan who finds them, all they need to do is call the number on their tag (available anytime, any day) in order to help with the happy reunion.

Get answers to your FAQs.

General Information

Overview

King County pet licenses are required for all dogs and cats eight weeks of age or older living in the Regional Animal Services coverage area*. A pet license identifies and protects your dog or cat in case they get lost. Also, pet licenses offer lots of other great benefits as well, including our Free Ride Home program.

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.

*RASKC provides service to the unincorporated portion of King County and the following contracting cities: Beaux Arts, Bellevue, Black Diamond, Carnation, Clyde Hill, Covington, Duvall, Enumclaw, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kent, Lake Forest Park, Maple Valley, Mercer Island, Newcastle, North Bend, Redmond, Sammamish, SeaTac, Shoreline, Snoqualmie, Tukwila, Woodinville, Yarrow Point.


Key benefits to licensing your pet

  • 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.
  • Your pet gets a free ride home the first time it is found. Our staff will attempt to deliver your pet home to you immediately, skipping a trip to the animal shelter.
  • 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.
  • You and your pet get the Vacation Pet Alert. When you leave home on vacation, call 206-296-2712 or email us at petlicense@kingcounty.gov 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.
  • 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 and cruelty, spay/neuter programs to reduce pet over-population, and community education services.

Annual pet licensing and late fees

Fine for an unlicensed pet $125 spayed/neutered; $250 unaltered.
Fee Type
$15 Juvenile

Under six months, six months expiration

$30 Altered (Spay / Neuter)

Proof Required

$60 Unaltered

Eligible for spay/neuter voucher

$15 Senior Discount (altered pets only)

Proof that owner is 65 or older. Proof pet is spayed or neutered.

$15 Disabled Person (altered pets only)
$5 Replacement

For lost, unexpired tag

Late Fees

Type

$15

Days Past Expiration: 45 - 90 days

$20

Days Past Expiration: 91 - 135 days

$30

Days Past Expiration: 136 - 364 days

$30 + prior year's license fee

Days Past Expiration: 365+ days

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

King County 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 to RASKC, 201 S. Jackson St., Ste. 208, Seattle, WA 98104 and we will send you a new tag. Or, you can go to one of our convenient licensing locations to get a new tag, Most locations carry tags, except Petco.

If you are over 65, or if your pet is under six 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 pet license. This license costs $15 and is renewed annually. Please provide proof of your age and proof of your pet's spay/neuter.

If your pet is under six months old

If your pet is under six months of age, you qualify for a $15 juvenile pet license that is good for six 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 logos.

Hours are generally Sunday noon to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Door-to-door marketers DO NOT accept payment at the door, but they do issue free temporary license tags that need to be renewed by the last day of the following month. This provides your cat and dog immediate protection. 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. Once we receive your completed pet license application, a free license will be sent to you.

RASKC service animal definition: A service animal is an animal that does work, performs tasks, or provides medically necessary support for the benefit of an individual with a disability.

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

If you no longer have your pet, please email us at petlicense@kingcounty.gov, or call the RASKC pet licensing office at 206-296-2712.

Proprietors of hobby kennels and catteries or guard-dog related businesses in the RASKC service area require specific licenses. Download the pet-related business flyer for details, or call 206-296-7387 for more information.

Public Health - Seattle & King County also regulates and issues permits for many pet-related businesses including pet shops, aquariums, commercial kennels and catteries, pet groomers, dog daycares, animal shelters, certain pet food retailers, and businesses such as feed stores selling live poultry. For more information about these services, please visit the Public Health Pet Business webpage.

The online processing fee is charged by our payment processing bank, not by King County. As a government agency, we are required to pass that direct cost on to the end user. Other options for licensing transactions include postal mail, or you can visit one of dozens of locations throughout our region where you can purchase or renew a license or get a replacement tag.

When you select the "purchase new license" button, the system begins by verifying your location and service provider. Another way to determine if you live in our service area or unincorporated King County is by simply emailing us at petlicense@kingcounty.gov or calling us at 206-296-2712.

Pet Information Line
206-296-7387 (PETS)

TTY Relay 711

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