King County, WA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- K.C.C. 11.04.400
- Who it covers
- Nonjuvenile dogs and cats
- Way to keep unaltered
- Hold an unaltered pet license
- Shelter adoptions
- Must be altered before transfer
- Enforcement
- Civil penalty, regional animal services
Summary
In unincorporated King County, keeping an unaltered dog or cat past kittenhood/puppyhood is unlawful unless the owner holds an unaltered pet license for that animal.
A. A person may not harbor, keep, or maintain any nonjuvenile pet that has not been altered, unless the person holds an unaltered pet license for the animal. B. Guide dogs in training and police service dogs are exempted from this section. C. Any nonjuvenile pet adopted from an animal shelter in King County must be altered before transfer to the owner.
Full Breakdown
King County Code 11.04.400 bars harboring, keeping, or maintaining any nonjuvenile pet that has not been spayed or neutered, unless the owner holds an unaltered pet license for the animal. Guide dogs in training and police service dogs are exempt. Any nonjuvenile pet adopted from a King County animal shelter must be altered before it goes home with the new owner. Juvenile licenses (ages 8 weeks to 6 months) substitute for the unaltered license while a pet is still too young to fix.
Violations & Fines
Violating the alteration requirement is a civil-penalty violation under K.C.C. 11.04.200/11.04.035, enforced by King County's regional animal services section; unlicensed unaltered pets found at large can also be impounded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my dog or cat unaltered in unincorporated King County?
Does this apply to a pet I adopt from a King County shelter?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in King County
Compare King County to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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