Issues related to animals have been neglected by the City Government for decades. There are an estimated 390,265 dogs, cats and birds in Seattle; It is estimated that by 2040 that number will rise to 500,000. Policy development and management of this population should be robust, transparent, and include citizens; however, Seattle’s 10 year plan, the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan, does not include evaluation of or planning for increased animal services.
The City’s Animal code (Title 9) is antiquated and needs updating. The rabies section is from 1952 and the majority of the rest of the code was adopted in 1985.
Seattle’s homeless population was about 8,200 people in 2020, and about 25% of these people had pets. Shelter services and transitional housing are difficult to find when a person comes with a companion animal, so many choose to remain unhoused rather than give up their animals.
Off-leash areas are inadequate in size and number, and are not available in some neighborhoods, particularly low-income neighborhoods.
Economic inequality affects an owner’s ability to spay, neuter and license pets. Seattle Animal Shelter has a low-cost spay/neuter clinic, but it cannot meet current demands.
Public safety is an issue; it takes the Seattle Police Department30% longer to respond to calls about animals.
Domestic violence shelters generally cannot provide services if a family in crisis brings a pet. Overall, victims remain a year longer with a violent partner if they have an animal. Seventy one percent have witnessed violence against animals in the home and over 90% acknowledge their partner has killed an animal.
Landlords can and do charge more for animals and may refuse to rent to people with large dogs. Seattle’s housing sector is not pet friendly.
Volunteers who manage feral cat colonies are in danger of arrest due to provisions in the current code.
