Animal Control

Animal Control Regulations

Lake Forest Park animal control regulations are codified as Title 6 of the Lake Forest Park Municipal Code.

These regulations require that any dog or cat eight (8) weeks or older must have a pet license. For more information on licensing in Lake Forest Park, see the Pet Licensing Page. The regulations also require that animals must be on a leash when not on their owner’s property or in a designated off-leash dog area. Owners must also pick-up after their animals when not on the owner’s property.

Owners should also be aware that all dogs and cats six (6) months of age or older must be vaccinated against rabies.  To vaccinate your dog or cat against rabies, speak to your local licensed veterinarian.

For regulations regarding the number, type, and species of animals that are allowed in Lake Forest Park and the standards in which animals must be kept, please review the City’s Animal Regulations.  The City has also created guidelines about the keeping of Backyard Chickens.

Animal Control Services

Animal control services in Lake Forest Park are provided by Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) under an Interlocal Agreement.  For information on animal control services, to find a lost pet, help a stray animal, or to report other animal control related issues, please contact the RASKC call center at (206) 296-PETS (7387) or email pets@kingcounty.gov.  Information may also be accessed on the RASKC website, including Frequently Asked Questions.

RASKC animal control field officers respond to the following requests:

  • vicious animal complaints
  • cruelty investigations
  • animal bites 
  • injured animal rescues
  • "dead-on-arrival" livestock/cats/dogs
  • police department calls for assistance
  • aggressive or sick animal pick-up

If you are experiencing a life-threatening animal-related emergency, call 9-1-1.  Lower priority calls, including, but not limited to, non-emergent high priority events, patrol requests, trespass, stray dog/cat, barking dog, leash law violation, trap request, and confined animal notification will be responded to by call center staff over the telephone, referral to other resources, or by dispatch of an animal control field officer as necessary or available.

Lake Forest Park Police Officers also enforce leash laws in city parks.  If you witness any off-leash activity in City parks outside of designated off-leash areas, please contact the Lake Forest Park Police Department at (206) 364-8216.

Animal Sheltering

Although animal control officers will utilize the RASKC Animal Shelter on behalf of Lake Forest Park residents on occasion, Lake Forest Park’s primary animal shelter is operated by PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society).  PAWS is located in the City of Lynnwood about 20 minutes north of Lake Forest Park, just off of Highway 99. 

PAWS

15305 44th Ave W
Lynnwood, WA 98087
Tel (425) 787-2500

For more information about the PAWS sheltering program or to adopt a pet from PAWS, please see the PAWS Shelter website.

Coyote Presence

Coyotes are present in and around Lake Forest Park, they live in our green belts and ravines. Several people have reported seeing coyotes around the city. Coyotes are opportunistic animals. They have adapted to the suburbanization of their habitat. They feed on cats, small dogs, and other small wildlife.

Below are the suggestions for dealing with conflicts with coyotes from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. There are several ways that homeowners can discourage coyotes from making pests of themselves or becoming serious threats:

Urban Coyotes.png
  • Be assertive in your attitude and behavior towards coyotes that are not showing normal, healthy fear, and respect towards you and others.
  • Do not feed feral cats (domestic felines gone wild); coyotes prey on the cats, as well as feed on cat food left out for them.
  • Do not feed wildlife on the ground; keep wild bird seed in feeders designed for birds, elevated or hanging above ground, and clean up spilled seed from the ground; coyotes can either be drawn directly to the seed, or to the rodents drawn to the seed.
  • Keep compost piles securely covered; correct composting never includes animal matter, like bones or fat, which can draw coyotes even more quickly than decomposing vegetable matter.
  • Keep fruit trees fenced or pick up fruit that falls to the ground.
  • Keep garbage securely stored, especially if it has to be put on the curb for collection; use tight-locking or bungee-cord-wrapped trash cans that are not easily opened if knocked over by coyotes or dogs.
  • Keep pet food and water inside.
  • Keep pets inside or confined securely in a kennel or covered exercise yard.
  • Minimize ground cover vegetation near children play areas to avoid attracting rodents and small mammals that will in turn attract coyotes; keep clusters of shrubs, trees, and other cover and food plants away from buildings and children play areas.
  • Use noise-making and other scaring devices when coyotes are seen. Check with local authorities regarding noise and weapons ordinances. Portable air horns, motor vehicle horns, slingshots, and rocks can be effective.