The City of Mountlake Terrace is reminding pet owners that licenses need to be renewed annually. Pet owners should watch their mail for a pet license renewal reminder. A pet license is the best way to ensure the safe return of a lost pet.

Mountlake Terrace is now selling renewable pet license tags. In an effort to streamline the licensing process and conserve resources, the tags are now assigned to your pet for their lifetime and are not transferrable. The licenses do expire and must be renewed each year to stay current with correct information, but you will no longer have to change tags.

Licenses can be purchased at the Police Department, Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  For your convenience, PAWS will also have licenses available for purchase for a $3 fee.

Animals taken into custody by officers are held at PAWS in Lynnwood, located at 15305 44th Ave W, Lynnwood. The impound fee for a pet taken to the animal shelter is $175.

All cats or dogs, three months old or older, must have and be wearing a current city tag to comply with city codes. Pets that are new to the city have up to 30 days for their owners to purchase their tags. The tags are current for one year, and must be renewed every year thereafter.

Discounts apply for any spayed or neutered pets, as well as for all senior citizens 65 years or older with altered animals. The costs for pet licenses are $31 for unaltered pets, $15.50 for altered pets and a senior citizen rate of $8.50 for altered pets only.

A license will earn a dog a free ride home by Animal Control the first time it gets out, and allow citizens to assist in returning pets to their owners. Cats also need to be licensed so any stray cat can be identified as a pet, not abandoned or feral. License fees help pay for spay/neuter/adoption costs for stray pets at PAWS.

For more information on pet licensing, please call the Police Department at 425-670-8260.