CITY OF SEATTLE

ORDINANCE __________________

COUNCIL BILL __________________

AN ORDINANCE relating to animal fees; adjusting and simplifying pet license fees, adoption fees, and spay and neuter clinic fees; removing guard or attack dog licenses; authorizing the Director of Finance and Administrative Services to adjust animal fees by Director’s Rule; amending Sections 9.25.030, 9.25.050, 9.25.083, 9.25.100, 9.25.110, 9.25.200, 9.26.020, 9.26.050, and 9.26.060 of the Seattle Municipal Code; and repealing Sections 9.25.054, 9.26.025, and 9.26.040 of the Seattle Municipal Code.

WHEREAS, the Seattle Animal Shelter is responsible for caring for thousands of stray, orphaned, sick, and abused animals every year; and

WHEREAS, in conjunction with community expectations of higher standards of care, the level of animal care and enforcement needs have grown significantly over the years; and

WHEREAS, pet adoption fees currently only cover a subset of the services required to ensure placement for that pet; and

WHEREAS, an increase in pet adoption fees will support 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 so deserve; and

WHEREAS, the City’s current pet adoption fee structure is overly complicated and needs to be simplified; and

WHEREAS, the City’s animal control fees and charges for detainment, adoption, and sheltering services have not been increased in six years, while the cost of providing boarding, veterinary care, and transporting of owned animals has gone up significantly; and

WHEREAS, the Director of Finance and Administrative Services can reduce or waive fees when in the best interest of the animal; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Section 9.25.030 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 126691, is amended as follows:

9.25.030 Authority of the Director

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F. The Director is authorized to establish and change animal fees in Chapter 9.26 by rule.

Section 2. Section 9.25.050 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 122508, is amended as follows:

9.25.050 Animal licenses and permits generally(( . ))

A. The following animal licenses shall be required: potbelly pig, miniature goat, cat, and dog licenses, (( guard and attack dog licenses, )) and exotic animal permits.

B. Licenses and permits are not transferable.

C. Applications for licenses and permits shall be made on forms approved by the Director and shall be accompanied by the fee set by (( the Animal Fee Ordinance (Seattle Municipal Code )) Chapter 9.26(( ) )) and, in the case of male miniature goat, cat or dog licenses, proof of alteration if the animal is altered. Licenses shall be issued in the name of the owner, and shall be numbered. Licenses shall be issued for a (( twelve ( ))12 - (( ) )) month period (( and may include a twelve month renewal )). A provisional cat or dog license shall be for a six(( (6) ))-month period. (( Guard or Attack Dog licenses shall be issued for a twelve (12) month period only upon the applicant’s compliance with Section 9.25.054. )) Each permit or subsequent license renewal for the same animal shall commence from the expiration date of the last valid license or permit.

D. A City of Seattle animal license does not relieve the owner of the obligation to obtain any other permit or license otherwise required by local, state , or federal law.

Section 3. Section 9.25.054 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 119998, is repealed:

(( 9.25.054 Guard or attack dog ((license - Proof of insurance - Posting notice and license.

A. No person shall use or harbor a guard or attack dog without first obtaining a guard or attack dog license therefor.

B. The applicant for a guard or attack dog license shall provide the following information:

1. The name and address of the owner of the guard or attack dog, a description of the dog, and the address and business name (if any) of the premises the dog will guard;

2. The name and address of the trainer of the guard or attack dog, and the name and address of the purveyor of the dog;

3. Proof of a policy of public liability insurance, such as homeowner's insurance, issued by an insurer authorized to do business in the State of Washington in an amount of at least One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), insuring the owner on account of any liability for claims for death or personal injury inflicted by the guard or attack dog to any person;

4. Proof of microchip identification, microchip number and identification of the date and location of microchip implant; and

5. Such other information as the Director may reasonably require.

C. The applicant shall certify that:

1. The premises the dog will guard are adequately secured for the safety of the public;

2. Signs are displayed on the premises at all entrances and at thirty (30) foot intervals clearly warning that a guard or attack dog is on duty; and

3. The owner of the guard or attack dog is aware of and understands the aggressive nature of the dog, certifies under penalty of perjury that the dog has been trained as a guard or attack dog, and can demonstrate total voice control of the dog.

D. A copy of the guard or attack dog license must be posted and presented upon demand of a police officer or the Director.

E. The premises where a guard or attack dog is to be located shall be subject to inspection by the Director prior to approval of the license. Upon inspection by an animal control officer, the applicant may be requested to provide proof of compliance with the requirements of this section.

F. It shall be the responsibility of the owner of a guard or attack dog to make application with the Seattle Animal Control for a guard or attack dog license annually before the date of expiration of the previous license. ))

Section 4. Section 9.25.083 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 121178, is amended as follows:

9.25.083 Owning dangerous animals prohibited - Exception

A. It is unlawful to own a dangerous animal (( (other than a licensed )) , including a guard or attack dog(( ) )) , with knowledge that the animal is dangerous, or with reckless disregard of the fact that the animal is dangerous.

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Section 5. Section 9.25.100 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 126691, is amended as follows:

9.25.100 Penalties

A. Conduct made unlawful by Sections 9.25.053(( . 9.25.054 )), 9.25.081, 9.25.083, or 9.25.085 constitutes a gross misdemeanor punishable as provided in Section 12A.02.070. The sentence imposed may be deferred or suspended in accordance with RCW 35.20.255; however, the probationary period shall be two years. In case of multiple convictions under this Chapter 9.25, the sentences shall be consecutive; however, the probationary period shall remain two years.

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C. In addition, the court may order the revocation or denial of any (( guard or attack dog license and any )) potbelly pig, miniature goat, cat, or dog license of or to any person convicted of a crime under this (( chapter )) Chapter 9.25 for a period not to exceed one year.

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Section 6. Section 9.25.110 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 119998, is amended as follows:

9.25.110 Denial, suspension, or revocation of license - Order(( . ))

The Director shall deny, suspend, or revoke a license for an animal found to be a “dangerous animal(( , ))” in any jurisdiction(( , and may deny, suspend, or revoke a license for a guard or attack animal under Section 9.25.054 upon determining that the applicant or licensee has violated or failed to comply with any provision of this chapter )). The denial, suspension, or revocation of a license shall be in writing in the form of an order, and shall include a recital of the authority for the action, a brief and concise statement of facts which constitute the grounds for the denial, and the Director’s signature. A copy of the order, including notice of the right to a hearing, shall be mailed to the applicant.

Section 7. Section 9.25.200 of the Seattle Municipal Code, enacted by Ordinance 124039, is amended as follows:

9.25.200 Amnesty

The Director may from time to time declare periods of amnesty in which the penalties imposed under Sections 9.25.100(( , )) and 9.26.020(( , and 9.26.025 )) may be waived. Such periods of amnesty and the terms thereof may be established upon a finding by the Director that they are likely to have the effect of increasing compliance with one or more provisions of this Title 9. The Director may promulgate rules and procedures to implement the provisions of this (( section )) Section 9.25.200 .

Section 8. Section 9.26.020 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 125741, is amended as follows:

9.26.020 Cat, dog, or goat, or potbelly pig license fee

A. (( Unless a license with an automatic second year renewal is purchased as authorized in subsection 9.26.020.B, the )) The fee for each annual cat, dog, (( or )) miniature goat, or potbelly pig license and for each annual period of renewal shall be:

1. Cats : Altered (( ..... )) $(( 26 )) 30; Unaltered (( ..... )) $(( 79 )) 80

2. Dogs : Altered (( ..... )) $(( 37 )) 45; Unaltered (( ..... )) $105

3. Miniature goats (( ..... )) $(( 21 )) 25

4. Potbelly pig $40

(( 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 ..... $52

Unaltered ..... $158

2. Dogs

Altered ..... $74

Unaltered ..... $210

3. Miniature goats ..... $42

C. )) B. 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 )) by The City of Seattle if proof of spay or neuter status is not available at the time the license is requested , and proof of spay or neuter status will be required at the time of renewal. (( 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. )) C . Late fee for renewal of a cat, dog, (( or )) miniature goat , or potbelly pig license more than 30 days after its expiration: (( ..... )) $30.

(( E. )) D. Dog, cat, (( or )) miniature goat , or potbelly pig 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. )) E. Altered dog, altered cat, (( or )) miniature goat , or potbelly pig owned by a person possessing a valid "senior citizen's identification card" or 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.

(( G. )) F. Lost cat, dog, (( or )) miniature goat , or potbelly pig license tag: (( ..... )) $(( 5 )) 7 .

Effective January 1, 2025, the Director of Finance and Administrative Services is authorized to adjust these fees by rule as necessary to ensure the fee revenues are sufficient to support the services provided by the Seattle Animal Shelter, provided that the revenue for these fees shall not exceed costs for such services. Whenever the Director adjusts these fees by rule, the Director shall file the rule with the City Clerk, pursuant to Section 3.02.060.

Section 9. Section 9.26.025 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 125741, is repealed:

(( 9.26.025 Potbelly pig license fee

A. The fee for the initial each annual potbelly pig license and for each annual period of renewal shall be $126.

B. The fee for each annual period of license renewal for potbelly pigs shall be $32.

C. The late fee for renewal of a potbelly pig license more than 30 days after its expiration shall be $30.

D. The fee for replacing a lost potbelly pig license tag shall be $5. ))

Section 10. Section 9.26.040 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 121004, is repealed:

(( 9.26.040 Guard or attack dog license.

The annual fee for each guard dog or attack dog license shall be One Hundred Dollars ($100). ))

Section 11. Section 9.26.050 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 125450, is amended as follows:

9.26.050 Other animal control fees and charges

Other animal control fees shall be:

A. Administrative fee for each detained animal:

First detainment (( ..... )) $45

Second detainment (( ..... )) $150

Third (( ..... )) $200

Fourth detainment (( ..... )) $275

Fifth and subsequent detainments (( ..... )) $375

B. For each 24-hour period or part thereof for kenneling (( ..... )) $20

C. For each animal adopted, the fee shall be in the range described below and determined by rule:

Cat (( ..... )) $30-(( 125 )) 100

Dog (( ..... )) $100-(( 375 )) 200

(( Rabbit ..... )) Chinchilla and sugar glider $40

Other (any animal other than a cat, dog, chinchilla, or (( rabbit )) sugar glider ) (( ..... )) $15

D. For providing veterinary care for an owner's animal (( ..... cost )) : Cost of treatment with a minimum fee of $(( 100 )) 125

E. For each exotic animal permit (( ..... )) $100

F. For each live animal trapping permit (( ..... )) $100

G. For transporting an owner's animal (( ..... )) $50

H. For euthanizing an owner's animal (( ..... )) $72

I. For the handling and treatment of animals, charges may be assessed to recover the cost of special equipment or services provided.

J. For each microchip implant (( ..... )) $30

K. For each vaccination (( ..... )) $(( 10 )) 15

L. For each spay or neuter surgery deposit as described in subsection 9.25.091.D (( ..... )) $250

Any deposit not collected within one year will be forfeited as a donation to the (( Pet Population Control Fund created by Ordinance 118289 )) Animal Shelter Donation Fund .

Effective January 1, (( 2019 )) 2025 , the Director of Finance and Administrative Services is authorized to adjust these fees by rule as necessary to ensure the fee revenues are sufficient to support the services provided by the Seattle Animal Shelter, provided that the revenue for these fees shall not exceed costs for such services. Whenever the Director adjusts these fees by rule , the Director shall file (( a schedule of these fees with the City Clerk )) the rule with the City Clerk, pursuant to Section 3.02.060 .

Section 12. Section 9.26.060 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 125702, is amended as follows:

9.26.060 Spay and Neuter Clinic fees

The fees at the Seattle Animal Shelter Spay and Neuter Clinic shall be:

A. Surgery fees:

Cats

Spaying (( ..... )) $(( 108 )) 140

Neutering (( ..... )) $(( 102 )) 115

Dogs

Dog juvenile/puppy (under 4 months) neuter $130

Dog neuter under 50 pounds (( ..... )) $(( 144 )) 160

Dog neuter 50-80 pounds (( ..... )) $(( 162 )) 170

Dog neuter over 80 pounds (( ..... )) $(( 186 )) 190

Dog spay under 50 pounds (( ..... )) $(( 156 )) 160

Dog spay 50-80 pounds (( ..... )) $(( 174 )) 190

Dog spay over 80 pounds(( ..... )) $(( 186 )) 210

Rabbits

Rabbit spay or neuter (( ..... )) $(( 90 )) 100

Animals other than cats, dogs, and rabbits may be spayed or neutered at the discretion of the Director of Finance and Administrative Services, or the Director's designee, who shall charge a fee for the service that is based upon estimated costs, not to exceed $120 per hour of surgery. The Director is authorized to adjust these fees by rule as necessary to ensure the fee revenues are sufficient to support the spay and neuter services provided by the Seattle Animal Shelter, provided that the revenue for these fees shall not exceed costs for such services. Whenever the Director adjusts these fees by rule , the Director shall file (( a schedule of these fees with the City Clerk )) the rule with the City Clerk, pursuant to Section 3.02.060 .

C. Vaccination fees (( ..... )) $(( 10 )) 15 per vaccination

D. Microchip implant fees (( ..... )) $30

Section 13. This ordinance shall take effect on January 1, 2025.

Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2024, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this ________ day of _________________________, 2024.

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President ____________ of the City Council

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Bruce A. Harrell, Mayor

Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2024.

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Scheereen Dedman, City Clerk

(Seal)