CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
title
AN ORDINANCE relating to pet licensing; adjusting and simplifying cat and dog license fees; and amending Section 9.26.020 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, the Seattle Animal Shelter is responsible for caring for thousands of stray, orphaned, sick, or abused animals every year; and
WHEREAS, in conjunction with Seattle’s population growth, the level of animal care and enforcement needs have grown significantly over the years; and
WHEREAS, pet license fees are a vital means of support for the life-saving work, ongoing operations, and public safety enforcement performed by the Seattle Animal Shelter; and the contracted veterinary services now operating out of the shelter; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Animal Shelter receives donation funds for certain extraordinary activities that benefit the animals in its care; those funds cannot be used to cover General Fund operations; and
WHEREAS, an increase in pet license fees will bolster the Seattle Animal Shelter’s ability to provide the high levels of quality care the public has come to expect and the animals entrusted to the Shelter deserve; and
WHEREAS, the City’s current pet license fee structure is overly complicated and needs to be simplified; and
WHEREAS, unaltered pets can create a burden on municipal resources and, as reflected in the difference in cost between altered and unaltered licenses, the City strongly encourages pet owners and guardians to alter their animals: cats, dogs, and rabbits, in particular; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Animal Shelter provides low-cost spay and neuter services to ensure access by pet owners and guardians who wish to alter their animals; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the Seattle Municipal Code, pet license fees will not exceed the costs incurred by the City in providing services related to the Seattle Animal Shelter; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 9.26.020 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 124923, is amended as follows:
9.26.020 Cat, dog, or goat license fee ((-Renewal))
A. Unless a license with an automatic second year renewal is purchased as authorized in subsection B of this section, the fee for each annual cat, dog, or miniature goat license and for each annual period of renewal shall be:
1. Cats
Altered (($22)) $24
Unaltered (($33)) $75
2. Dogs
Altered (($30)) $35
Unaltered (($51)) $100
3. Miniature goats $20
B. The fee for each cat, dog, or miniature goat license for an annual license purchased with a 12-month renewal shall be:
1. Cats
Altered (($30)) $48
Unaltered (($49)) $150
2. Dogs
Altered (($40)) $70
Unaltered (($76)) $200
3. Miniature goats (($30)) $40
((C. A provisional license may be issued for dogs or cats up to age 6 months to allow time for such animals to be spayed or neutered. A provisional license may also be issued for cats and dogs of any age that were not previously licensed within The City of Seattle if proof of spay or neuter status is not available at the time the license is requested. The fee for each provisional cat or dog license for a 6-month period shall be:
1. Cats…$15
2. Dogs….$16
Each cat or dog shall be limited to a single provisional license which shall be valid for 6 months.))
C. To allow time for animals to be spayed or neutered, a one-year altered license may be issued for unaltered dogs or cats whose owners or guardians intend to have them altered prior to the time the license is up for renewal. A one-year altered license may also be issued for cats and dogs of any age that were not previously licensed within The City of Seattle if proof of spay or neuter status is not available at the time the license is requested. Owners or guardians of cats and dogs that cannot show proof that their animals have been spayed or neutered by the time the initial one-year license is up for renewal will be retroactively charged the difference between the unaltered and altered fee as well as the unaltered rate for the renewed license.
D. Late fee for renewal of a cat, dog, or miniature goat license more than 30 days after its expiration: ((; $15)) $25.
E. Dog, cat, or miniature goat owned by a member of the diplomatic or consular corps of a country having a treaty with the United States granting immunity from local law, upon submission of proof of such status: (( )) No fee.
F. ((Dog,)) Altered dog, altered cat, or miniature goat owned by a person possessing a valid “senior citizen’s identification card” or ((“handicapped person’s identification card” issued by The City of Seattle Human Services Department……)) individuals with disabilities who have been issued a disabilities identification card from The City of Seattle or State of Washington: 50 percent of the regular license fee ((otherwise payable)) rounded up to the nearest dollar.
G. Lost cat, dog, or miniature goat license tag: (( )) $5.
Section 2. Section 1 of this ordinance shall take effect on January 1, 2017.
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.
Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2016, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of _________________________, 2016.
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President ____________ of the City Council
Approved by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2016.
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Edward B. Murray, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2016.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)