Animal Licensing
Residents of Tacoma or Fircrest are required to license all dogs and cats over eight weeks of age. New residents must obtain a pet license within 30 days of moving to the city.
Benefits of Pet Licensing
A license is your pet’s ticket home if they ever get lost. Each year, tens of thousands of pets end up at the Tacoma and Pierce County Humane Society, and unfortunately, very few have proper identification.
When a lost pet is found with up-to-date identification, our Animal Care and Control Officers can either return the pet directly to its home or promptly notify the owners that their pet is safe at the shelter. License fees help fund essential services, including:
- Keeping stray animals off the streets and out of danger.
- Transporting injured animals to veterinarians for medical help.
- Investigating cases of animal cruelty and neglect to safeguard pets’ well-being.
- Protecting your family by addressing potential threats like rabies and animal bites.
Your pet’s license enables us to offer better services for you, your family, and your community. Don’t wait — license your pet today!
Pet Licensing Requirement
Residents of the City of Tacoma or Fircrest are legally required to license all dogs and cats over eight weeks of age. New residents must obtain a pet license within 30 days of moving to the city. Licenses are valid for one year and must be renewed annually.
Pet License Tags
License tags are required for dogs at all times. While cats with microchips still need a license, they aren’t required to wear the tag. Remember, even indoor-only pets or those in fenced yards can escape. If your pet loses its tag, contact us for a replacement.
Service Animals
Pet owners with disabilities are exempt from paying the license fee if their service dog is specially trained and primarily used for assistance with their disability. However, they must still keep the dog licensed by providing annual proof of the dog’s active service status. Pet owners must comply with all pet regulations.
The tasks or work performed by a service dog must be directly related to the handler’s disability. Examples include guiding individuals who are blind or have low vision, alerting those who are deaf or hard of hearing to people or sounds, and assisting individuals during seizures. These tasks are just a few examples of the critical roles service dogs can perform.
Emotional support, comfort, companionship, or general well-being do not qualify as recognized work or tasks under RCW 49.60.040.
Please note that our office does not provide training or certification for service dogs.
What to Do If You Find a Lost Pet
If you find a dog or cat with a City of Tacoma tag, please contact Animal Licensing at (253) 627-PETS (7387) for information about the pet’s owner. If the pet does not have a tag, try walking it around the neighborhood, as this can often help reunite the pet with its owner. For additional tips on reuniting pets with their families, please refer to the resources below.
Humane Society Resource for Lost Pets
Humane Society Resource for Loose Cats
If you have found a stray animal and are unable to locate its owner, the Tacoma & Pierce County Humane Society, located at 2608 Center Street, will accept the animal. Please call (253) 383-2733 or visit humanesociety.org for more information and to schedule an appointment. The Humane Society operates on an appointment-based system for turning in lost pets, allowing the shelter to prepare for incoming animals and ensure that each animal’s needs are met.