Pet licenses are required for all dogs and cats eight weeks or older – whether the pet lives inside the home or outside. Licenses are to be renewed annually.

Pet licenses are required and issued by King County. Kirkland residents should look for the “Tag You’re It!” mail-in application in their February-March utility bill and send in the application for all unlicensed pets.

Licenses can also be obtained online, at www.kingcounty.gov/safety/animalservices or in-person at various sales locations, including at Kirkland City Hall.

According to the American Veterinarian Medical Association, more than 43,000 dogs and cats call Kirkland their home but licensing records show only 6,000 are licensed.

Consider a pet license as a protection policy. Licensed pets get returned home quicker than non-licensed ones. A licensed pet gets a free ride home the first time it is found away from home (skipping a trip to the shelter).

If a licensed pet is sheltered, it gets to stay longer than an unlicensed pet.

Pet license fees help support animal adoption services, vicious animal and animal cruelty complaint investigations, and injured animal rescues. Pet owners have access to “quick find” tools should Spot or Fluffy wander away from home.

Pet owners who have licensed their pets will avoid a fine. By licensing pet(s), Kirkland residents get their money’s worth in all that animal services provides.

For more information, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/petlicense.