State guide
Washington
Washington animal control is local and varies by jurisdiction, with counties often covering unincorporated areas and some contract cities while larger cities may run their own shelters or control units. Wildlife rehabilitation is handled through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s permitted rehabilitator system, while rabies reporting is routed through local health jurisdictions.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Who handles animal control locally
- Animal control in Washington is usually handled by city or county animal services; counties often cover unincorporated areas and some contract cities, while some cities operate their own animal control.
- State wildlife agency (nuisance and injured wildlife)
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Nuisance wildlife help
- Official page →
- Reporting an animal bite
- In Washington, animal bites must be reported to the local health jurisdiction when human rabies exposure is suspected; bites without suspected rabies exposure are not state-reportable.
- State rabies contact
- Washington State Department of Health Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology
Official resources in Washington
Official public rabies page with exposure guidance and links to local health departments.
Official notifiable-condition page explaining who reports and when local health jurisdictions notify the state.
Official statewide rehabilitator finder by county and specialty.
Official overview of wildlife rehabilitation and when to use a rehabilitator.
Official state directory page for local health jurisdictions used for rabies and bite reporting.
Key facts for Washington
- Animal bites are reportable only when human rabies exposure is suspected.
- When rabies exposure is suspected, healthcare providers and facilities must immediately notify the local health jurisdiction.
- Local health jurisdictions report rabies exposure investigations to the Washington State Department of Health.
- WDFW relies on wildlife rehabilitators to take in animals needing care.
- WDFW says permitted professionals prepare sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife to return to the wild.
- WDFW says private citizens need a permit to practice wildlife rehabilitation.
Local animal control offices in Washington
| Office | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regional Animal Services of King County King County | Kent | 206-296-7387 (PETS) | Provides animal control response in unincorporated King County and 25 contract cities, with 24-hour public-safety response to dangerous animals, loose livestock, injury, and abuse. |
| Seattle Animal Shelter | Seattle | (206) 386-7387 | Seattle Animal Control serves residents within Seattle city limits; call directly for bites, abuse, welfare concerns, and injured or sick animals. |
| Pierce County Animal Control Pierce County | Not published* | (253) 798-PETS (7387) | Handles animal complaints for county service areas; Pierce County notes most cities provide their own animal control services. |
| Snohomish County Animal Services Snohomish County | Everett | (425) 388-3440 | Serves unincorporated Snohomish County and directs residents to use the county’s animal service area map if unsure of coverage. |
| Clark County Animal Protection and Control Clark County | Vancouver | 564.397.2488 | Covers all of unincorporated Clark County and the city of Vancouver for animal control concerns. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- If a person may have been exposed to rabies, contact your local health jurisdiction right away for risk assessment and next steps.
- For injured or orphaned wildlife, call a permitted rehabilitator first and follow their instructions before moving the animal.
- For domestic animal complaints, start with your city or county animal services office because coverage differs by jurisdiction.
Not seeing your office or county?
Not every office publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Washington's population center, for comparison only):
- Multnomah County Animal Services, Oregon · about 132 miles
- Washington County Animal Services, Oregon · about 143 miles
- Clackamas County Dog Services, Oregon · about 154 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.WDFW Find a Permitted Wildlife Rehabilitator
Website →Phone: (360) 902-2936 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: MRSC Washington city and town profiles →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Washington page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.