Lakewood, Washington Not your city or county?

Common Questions

Questions About Notices

Questions About Current Licenses

Questions About Lost and Found Animals

Questions About Pet Licensing

Questions About PetData

Top

Why did I receive this notice?

Please choose the option that best describes the notice you received:

Top

Why am I being billed when I have a current license?

There may be several reasons why you received a bill when you have a current license. We're happy to help with your account information - please fill out this form to begin the process.

Top

When will I get my license tag?

We will mail your tag within 10 business days from the day we receive your completed license application and payment. Please allow an additional 3-5 business days to receive your tag in the mail. If we have not received correct payment or required documentation, you will be notified via mail and the processing of your license will be delayed.
Top

How do I get a replacement tag?

Please refer to License Fees to determine the charge for your replacement tag, based on the city in which you live. If there is a fee, you may obtain a replacement tag by sending a check or money order payable to "City of Lakewood Animal Licensing" to the mailing address below. Please do not send cash. Please include a copy of your license receipt or a note to designate the pet for which you are requesting a replacement tag.

City of Lakewood Animal Licensing
C/O PetData
PO Box 141929
Irving, TX 75014-1929

If there is no fee required for a replacement tag, you may send your request via mail, call us at 1-866-594-1283, or Email Us.

Top

Can I transfer a license?

If a currently licensed pet dies, the license may be transferred to a new pet with the same spay/neuter status in the same household. Please send a request for transfer and description of the new pet to:

City of Lakewood Animal Licensing
C/O PetData
PO Box 141929
Irving, TX 75014-1929

Top

Can I obtain a refund?

A refund may be available if a duplicate payment was made for your license. To request a refund, please send your request in writing or via email to Customer Service. Be sure to include the pet’s current license tag number if it is available, and as much information as possible regarding your payments and where the payments were made.

Top

How long is this license valid?

All licenses expire on December 31st regardless of the date of purchase. Payment for your license is due by February 28th.
Top

Where is the local animal shelter?

Animals are sheltered at the Tacoma-Pierce County Humane Society Shelter, located in Tacoma at 2608 Center St.

To report stray animals or for questions regarding animal control that is not related to licensing your pet, please call 253-830-5010.
Top

I have found a pet: what should I do?

If the pet that you have found is wearing a Lakewood license tag, please enter the tag number in the tag search box above. If you need assistance, you may call our office toll-free at 1-866-594-1283.

Top

I have lost a pet: what should I do?

If an Animal Control Officer finds your pet, and your pet is wearing a current license tag on its collar, Animal Services will try to contact you. If another citizen finds your pet with its license tag, they may use the tag number to contact you through our online tag search or by calling the phone number on the license tag.

If your pet has been lost, Animal Services recommends that you visit the shelter to look for your pet.

Top

Why should I license?

Licensing helps Animal Services identify family pets. Should your pet become lost, a license is your pet’s ticket home. The fees from licensing are used to care for animals and investigate complaints about stray animals, among other services.  Other goals of animal licensing are to promote responsible pet ownership and to reduce the tragedies associated with lost pets and pet overpopulation.
Top

What are the licensing requirements?

Licensing Ordinance

All dogs and cats over 2 months old in Steilacoom and Lakewood are required to be licensed. A current rabies vaccination is required for all dogs and cats.

View the complete City of Lakewood ordinance

View the complete Town of Steilacoom ordinance

Due Date

All licenses expire on December 31st regardless of the date of purchase. Payment for your license is due by February 28th.

By ordinance, a late fee is added to each license not purchased within 30 days of the expiration of the prior license.

License Term

All licenses expire on December 31st regardless of the date of purchase. Payment for your license is due by February 28th.
Top

Why was licensing privatized?

The City of Lakewood chose to privatize animal licensing in 2006 to promote animal licensing, to increase the cost-effectiveness of the program, and to provide additional services to its citizens.

Top

Who is PetData?

PetData, Inc., headquartered in Dallas, Texas, provides animal licensing services for municipalities and animal welfare agencies throughout the United States. The company, a member of the National Animal Control Association, has been in business since 1994. PetData’s goals are to increase animal licensing, to reduce animal euthanasia, to educate the community, and to help solve animal control problems.
Top

Does PetData sell information?

We at PetData consider the privacy of our clients to be of paramount importance. PetData has never sold information or data to any third-party. PetData does not use any personally identifiable data collected for any purpose other than for those purposes as required by client contracts.

We do not respond to requests for information from non-client individuals or corporations, nor do we release information without the express written consent of our clients. PetData does not and will not share or sell client data with any other parties or make client data publicly available unless authorized by the client or required under a legal subpoena. All data belongs to our clients, and PetData serves only as a custodian for client-owned data.

Groups or individuals requesting data should contact their City or County directly as PetData will only release data to our contracted clients.

Zip Search

Enter your zip code to get started.