Frequently Asked Questions

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• Where is the Seattle Animal Shelter located?
  
  The Seattle Animal Shelter is located at 2061 15th Avenue West, approximately 1 mile south of the Ballard Bridge. The Shelter provides lost and found information, animal care education, and pet adoptions services. Click here for directions.
  
  
• Do pets need to be licensed?
  
  All dogs and cats older than eight weeks are required to be licensed. Potbelly pigs are also required to be licensed with certain restrictions. Call 386-4262 for more information.
  
  What does it cost to license a pet and where can a person obtain a pet license or get a replacement license tag? Click here for license fees, applications and locations.
  
  
• Is there a leash law?
  
  Yes. All animals (except cats and pigeons) are required to be on leash within the City of Seattle. Animals may not run loose anywhere in the Seattle except for designated off-leash areas. While cats are not required to be on leash, it is unlawful for cats to be a nuisance, create a sanitation problem or damage public or private property.
  
  
• What can be done if a neighbor's pets are loose and are creating a nuisance?
  
  Call Seattle Animal Shelter immediately at (206) 386-PETS(7387) Extension #2 and request that an Animal Shelter Officer investigate your complaint. If violations of local ordinances are found, the pet owner may be cited or the animal(s) may be taken into custody. If this occurs, the owner must pay fees and/or penalties when redeeming the animal from the animal shelter. When serious violations are reported such as animal cruelty or dangerous animals, you may need to be willing to testify in court. Additionally, Animal Shelter Officers may need to ask you to help establish additional evidence (i.e. testimony from neighbors) so they may take enforcement action.
  
  
• If a citizen needs to find a home for a pet, will Seattle Animal Shelter pick it up?
  
  Seattle Animal Shelter is happy to pick-up your pet for a $20.00 fee. Call (206) 386-PETS(7387) Extension #2 to arrange for pick-up.
  
  
• How can someone adopt a pet?
  
  The Seattle Animal Shelter offers extensive adoption services with a wide selection of pets available. Please visit the Seattle Animal Shelter or visit the on-line adoption page to view available animals.
  
  
• What is the law regarding animals creating a noise nuisance?
  
  It is a violation of the Seattle Municipal Code to allow your animal to vocalize in such a manner that is disturbing to other citizens. Click here for additional information.
  
  
• Can Seattle Animal Shelter make a presentation to a school or community organization?
  
  Yes. Seattle Animal Shelter provides humane education and responsible pet ownership presentations to schools and other organizations. At these presentations, Animal Shelter Officers emphasize such topics as public safety, dog bite prevention, responsible pet ownership and humane care of animals. Please call (206) 386-PETS (7387) to arrange for a presentation.
  
  
• What should I do about nuisance wildlife in my yard?
  
  The Washington State Department of Wildlife trains and licenses Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators (NWCO) to assist with nuisance wildlife problems. For more information, call the Washington State Department of Wildlife at (425) 775-1311.
  
  For additional information, you may reach the Northwest Regional Office of The Humane Society of the United States at (206) 526-0949 or the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) at (425) 787-2500.