Is your pet a fugitive? King County requires all dogs and cats eight weeks or older to be licensed. If discovered, unlicensed pets can cost up to $250; late fees for licensing can cost $30 plus the previous year’s license fee on top of the standard cost, if the pet has been unlicensed for more than a year.

If prohibitive late fee costs have kept you from licensing your pet, April is Regional Animal Service’s amnesty month. Licenses can be purchased online, in-person or by mail at the standard cost this month, no matter how long your four-legged loved one has gone unlicensed.

Licensing carries several advantages, including the promise of a quick reunion should they ever become lost. License fees fund rides home for lost pets, and pay for the services that allow homeless pets to be adopted to new families.