Licensing

Online Licensing

You can license your pet right here, right now. It’s easy, it’s inexpensive, and it’s the right thing to do.

Pet licenses are required by law in unincorporated Kitsap County and all municipalities for pets 6 months of age or older. Please see specific information for each licensing jurisdiction’s requirements and fees below. When you license online you will automatically be directed to the correct licensing jurisdiction based on your physical address.

Did you know that 75 percent of lost pets never make it back home? That’s because they are missing a collar, tag and license.  Pets who are licensed and wearing their tags can easily be returned home, whether they are found running loose by a good citizen, an animal control officer, or brought to a veterinarian’s office.

If you love them and don’t want to lose them, please license them!

Kitsap Humane Society is the pet licensing agent for all jurisdictions in Kitsap County including cities/municipalities and unincorporated Kitsap County. In addition to cat and dog licenses, KHS also issues chicken licenses for the city of Bremerton.

Benefits to licensing your pet:
  • Licenses help lost pets get home, and faster!
  • Fees directly support Kitsap Humane Society’s lifesaving work!
  • It’s the law!
All pet licenses can be purchased, renewed or replaced:
  • Online
  • In person at the shelter during business hours
  • Via mail using the mail-in license application (see below for each municipality’s form)

Licensing fees vary depending on the municipality in which you live, the animal type (cat or dog), and whether your pet is spayed, neutered or microchipped.

A processing fee will apply to all applications.

Important note:

If you wish to have more than four dogs or cats, or want to breed pets, a HOBBY KENNEL LICENSE or COMMERCIAL KENNEL LICENSE is required. Please email petlicensing@kitsap-humane.org or call 360-692-6977, ext. 1134 for more information and Hobby Kennel/Commercial Kennel license applications. 

Kitsap County Licenses

For residents of Unincorporated Kitsap County, licenses may be purchased, renewed or replaced. Please complete the Kitsap County Licensing Application and mail or drop off with payment to Kitsap Humane Society.

Kitsap County allows up to 4 dogs and 4 cats on a property. If you wish to have more than 4 dogs or cats, or want to breed pets, a PET ENTHUSIAST LICENSE or PET HOBBYIST LICENSE is required. Please email petlicensing@kitsap-humane.org or call 360-692-6977 ext. 1110 for more information and Enthusiast/Hobbyist applications.

Type 1 year 3 years Lifetime
Dog – Spayed/neutered w/microchip $12 $25 $45
Dog – Spayed/neutered w/out microchip $25 $50 n/a
Dog – Not spayed/neutered w/microchip $50 $100 $200
Dog – Not spayed/neutered w/out microchip $60 $120 n/a
Cat – Spayed/neutered w/microchip $7 $15 $25
Cat – Spayed/neutered w/out microchip $20 $40 n/a
Cat – Not spayed/neutered w/microchip $40 $80 $160
Cat – Not spayed/neutered w/out microchip $50 $100 n/a
Replacement tag – Current licenses only $3 $3 $3
Service Dog no fee no fee no fee
Donation to support spay/neuter $5 $5 $5

*Service Animal licensing fees are not applicable for emotional support animals.

A processing fee will apply.

City Licensing Fees

City of Bainbridge Island

Bainbridge Island allows up to four dogs and four cats on a property.

For residents of the City of Bainbridge Island, licenses may be purchased, renewed, or replaced. Please complete the City of Bainbridge Licensing Application and mail or drop it off with payment to Kitsap Humane Society.

Fees:

Type Altered Unaltered
Dog $6.90 (permanent) $28.75 (must be renewed annually)
Cat $6.90 (permanent) $28.75 (must be renewed annually)
Replacement $1.15 $1.15
Service Animal* $0 $0

*Service Animal licensing fees are not applicable for emotional support animals.

A processing fee will apply.

City of Bremerton

The City of Bremerton allows up to a total of four household pets (any combination of dogs, cats, or ferrets) or to own no more than a total of five chickens (hens only) in the same residence.

Bremerton Municipal Code 7.08.010 (a) requires that all dogs and cats be licensed annually within 30 calendar days from the date the owner acquires or takes up residence in the City of Bremerton. For residents of the City of Bremerton,  licenses may be purchased, renewed, or replaced. Please complete the following Bremerton License Application and mail or drop it off with payment to Kitsap Humane Society.

Fees:

Type Altered Unaltered
Dog $12.50 $37.50
Cat $7.50 $37.50
Dog Lifetime License $45.00 N/A
Cat Lifetime License $25.00 N/A
Replacement – Current licenses only $1 $1
Late Fee $10 $10
Senior Citizen Permanent License – Dog $12.50 N/A
Senior Citizen Permanent License – Cat $12.50 N/A
Service Animal* $0 $0

*Service Animal licensing fees are not applicable for emotional support animals.

Chicken License Fees:

$12.50 for up to 5 chickens annually

Senior Citizen Lifetime Chicken License:

$12.50 for up to 5 chickens

Information pertaining to keeping chickens within the City of Bremerton can be located in the Bremerton Municipal Code, Chapter 7.06.

A processing fee will apply.

City of Port Orchard

The City of Port Orchard allows up to a total of three household pets (any combination of dogs or cats) at a single-family dwelling.

For residents of the City of Port Orchard, all animals must be licensed within six months of moving into the city. Licenses are permanent.  Port Orchard licenses may be purchased, renewed, or replaced in person at Kitsap Humane Society* or at Port Orchard City Hall. If you prefer to mail in your license application or replacement, please complete the City of Port Orchard Licensing Application.

PLEASE NOTE: Most Port Orchard street addresses ending in “E” or “SE” are not within Port Orchard city limits. Please use a Kitsap County license application instead.

Fees:

Type Altered Unaltered
Dog $0 $75
Cat $0 $75
Replacement – Current licenses only $2 $2
Service Animal** $0 $0

**Service Animal licensing fees are not applicable for emotional support animals.

A processing fee will apply.

City of Poulsbo

The City of Poulsbo allows up to a total of five household pets (any combination of dogs or cats) on any single-family residential property.

For residents of the City of Poulsbo, all dogs and cats are required to be licensed. If you prefer to mail in your license application, renewal, or replacement, please complete the City Of Poulsbo Licensing Application and mail or drop it off with payment to Kitsap Humane Society.

Fees:

Type 1 year Lifetime
Dog – Altered $12 $40
Dog – Unaltered $35 Not Available
Cat – Altered $7 $25
Cat – Unaltered $35 Not Available
Service Dog* n/a No Fee
Dog (Altered Only) – Senior Citizen Permanent n/a $6
Cat (Altered Only) – Senior Citizen Permanent n/a $3
Dog (Altered Only) – Citizen who is Disabled AND Low Income n/a $6
Cat (Altered Only) – Citizen who is Disabled AND Low Income n/a $3
Replacement Tags – Current licenses only $3 $3
Donation to support spay/neuter $5 $5

*Service Animal licensing fees are not applicable for emotional support animals.

A processing fee will apply.