Chapter 6.08
LICENSES AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

Sections:

6.08.010    Dog licenses.

6.08.020    Dog license procedure.

6.08.030    Commercial pet facilities, grooming parlors and animal welfare facilities.

6.08.010 Dog licenses.

A. Annual License. All dogs shall be licensed annually or within 30 calendar days from the date the owner acquires the animal or takes up residence in the city of Gig Harbor.

B. License Expiration. Dog licenses shall expire one calendar year from the date of issuance.

C. Dog License Fee. License fees are set pursuant to the following fee schedule:

1. Altered dog license is $7.00 per year.

2. Unaltered dog license is $17.00 per year.

3. Senior citizens (65 years old or over) can purchase a dog license at a reduced rate of $5.00 per year for an altered dog.

4. Transfer fee for transfer of one license to the new owner is $5.00 per year.

D. Additional License Fee. Licenses not renewed by the designated renewal date shall be assessed an additional license fee of $10.00; provided, there shall be no additional license fee where:

1. The applicant has owned the dog for less than 30 calendar days; or

2. The applicant has resided in the city for less than 30 calendar days.

E. Dangerous Animal Registration Fee. The fee for registering a dangerous animal with the city shall be $100.00 in addition to the regular license fee.

D. Exemptions from License Fees. The following are exempt from license fees:

1. Dogs in the temporary custody of a veterinarian or animal welfare organization whose owners are unknown;

2. Dogs owned and available for retail sale by the owner or operator of a licensed commercial pet facility; or

3. Service dogs. (Ord. 1034 § 7, 2006).

6.08.020 Dog license procedure.

A. Issuance of Licenses. The city cashier shall issue licenses pursuant to GHMC 6.08.010, as specified in this section.

B. Contents of License. The license shall contain the following:

1. Date of issuance and date of expiration;

2. A serial number;

3. Type of animal, its name, age, color(s), sex, breed/mix, distinguishing characteristics, and whether the animal is spayed or neutered;

4. The name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the animal;

5. Permanent identification number or marking, such as microchip implant, if applicable.

C. License Tag.

1. With each license, the owner shall receive a license tag that shall contain the serial number that corresponds to the serial number on the license and the date of license expiration.

2. The license tag need not be worn by the licensed dog in a sanctioned dog show or while engaged in formal, recognized training. A microchip implant may replace a license tag; provided, that the license is renewed annually and the annual license fee is paid.

D. Transferability of Licenses. Licenses are not transferable from one dog to another, but may be transferred from an original owner to a new owner; provided, that the new owner records the transfer with the licensing agent within 14 calendar days, pays a transfer charge as provided for in GHMC 6.08.010(C) and assumes responsibility for all future license fees while maintaining ownership of the dog.

E. Lost Tags. Lost license tags may be replaced by a substitute license or tag one time a year without charge upon application to the city cashier. Payment of the applicable license fee is required to replace a second lost license or tag within a year. (Ord. 1034 § 7, 2006).

6.08.030 Commercial pet facilities, grooming parlors and animal welfare facilities.

A. License Required. Commercial pet facilities, grooming parlors, and animal welfare facilities shall be licensed pursuant to Chapter 5.01 GHMC.

B. Operation requirements for commercial pet facilities and animal welfare facilities:

1. Adequate food and water must be provided for each species, pursuant to GHMC 6.04.020(A), and proper habitat and medical attention, if needed, shall be provided during normal business hours and when the facilities are not open for business;

2. Food shall be stored in a fashion that prevents contamination or infestation;

3. The facilities shall be maintained and operated in a healthful and sanitary manner, free from disease, infestation, and foul odors;

4. Sick animals shall be isolated from healthy ones in quarters adequately ventilated to prevent contamination of healthy animals;

5. Sick or injured animals shall receive appropriate medical treatment by or under the auspices of a licensed veterinarian. Records shall be maintained reflecting treatment, care, dates of veterinary visits, and the name of the veterinarian and veterinary clinic providing treatment. Sick or injured animals shall not be sold, bartered, or otherwise transferred from a commercial pet facility or animal welfare facility to a new owner until the illness or injury is substantially healed, unless such transfer is to an animal welfare organization that assumed all responsibility for providing the appropriate medical treatment;

6. Cats and dogs shall receive age-appropriate vaccines and anthelmintics. Records of such shall be maintained for each animal and made available to the designated animal control authority and/or the Pierce County Health District, including the name and address of the attending veterinarian, if applicable;

7. A copy of all medical records including, but not limited to, the records described in subsections (B)(5) and (B)(6) of this section shall be provided to new owners at the time the ownership of the animal is transferred, or to the designated animal control authority upon request.

C. Facility and Individual Housing and Habitat Requirements for Commercial Pet Facilities and Animal Welfare Facilities.

1. Indoor and outdoor animal housing facilities shall be in good repair, protect the animals from injury, and shall provide sufficient security to contain the animals while preventing entry by unwanted animals. Also, the habitat shall provide species-specific requirements including, but not limited to, temperature, humidity, and light.

2. Indoor facilities shall:

a. Provide the animal with adequate space for movement and the ability to sit, lie, stand, and stretch without touching the sides or top of the housing;

b. Be heated or cooled to protect the animals from temperatures for which they are not acclimated;

c. Be adequately ventilated;

d. Have interior walls, ceilings, and floors that are sealed and are resistant to absorption of moisture or odors;

e. Have flooring with a surface that can be sanitized and treated to minimize growth of harmful bacteria;

f. Have a waste collection and removal system that facilitates cleaning and permits maintaining the facility in a sanitary condition; and

g. Have available a washroom with a sink for hot and cold running water.

3. Outdoor facilities shall:

a. Provide adequate shelter and protection from adverse weather;

b. Provide sufficient room for adequate exercise and movement; and

c. When no indoor facility is available, outdoor facilities shall also:

d. Have flooring with a surface that can be sanitized and treated to minimize growth of harmful bacteria;

e. Have a waste collection and removal system that facilitates cleaning and permits maintaining the facility in a sanitary condition; and

f. Have available a washroom with a sink for hot and cold running water.

D. Operation and Facility Requirements for Grooming Parlors. Grooming parlors shall:

1. Not board animals;

2. Provide restraining straps for animals to prevent injury while being groomed;

3. Sterilize grooming equipment after each use;

4. Not leave animals unattended when placed before a dryer;

5. Not prescribe or administer treatment or medicine or otherwise engage in veterinary practice as defined in RCW 18.92.010;

6. Not confine more than one animal in the same cage unless so requested by the owner of the animals;

7. Be structurally sound and in good repair, designed to protect the animals from injury, and provide sufficient security to contain the animals while preventing entry by unwanted animals;

8. Have grooming and animal containment areas with walls, ceilings and floors that are sealed and resistant to absorption of moisture and odors; and

9. Be cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis.

E. Inspections. The animal control authority shall inspect existing or proposed commercial pet facilities, animal welfare facilities, and grooming parlors in connection with its licensing investigation and when inspections are necessary to ensure compliance with this title. Such inspections shall be made during regular business hours. (Ord. 1034 § 7, 2006).