Des Moines Animal Control FAQ
3 April 2025
The City is aware of concerns in the community about reductions to animal control services. We want to provide information on this issue.
During the last budget cycle, the City had to find over $4 million in cost savings and new revenue to balance the 2025-26 budget. To preserve funding for the highest priority functions, the City had to make difficult cuts, including:
● Staff layoffs in Administration and Parks & Recreation
● Freezing police positions
● Closing the Redondo police substation
● Reducing Senior Services and Parks & Recreation programming
● Reducing human services
● Cutting administrative costs
● Eliminating downtown beautification
● Reducing contracted animal control services
We recognize all these reductions, including animal control services, have impacts on our residents. We are doing our best to meet essential needs while we look for opportunities to restore funding in the future.
FAQ
In the past, Des Moines had a dedicated animal control officer. Why was that eliminated?
A dedicated animal control officer requires about $200,000 annually for salary, benefits, fleet and equipment to provide 40 hours of service per week (not 24/7 coverage.) Due to budget constraints, the City can no longer afford to fund this position. Several years ago the City moved animal control services to a contract with Burien CARES. The City now has a reduced contract for animal services, which covers legally required services.
What animal control services does Des Moines provide?
The City provides limited animal control services through a contract with Burien CARES. This contract ensures a response to dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs and investigation of dog bites.
The Des Moines Police Department has a microchip reader to help you identify the owner of a stray animal. However, the City no longer has staff to respond to lost or found pets or other animal control issues.
Why can't the police respond to reports of stray animals?
Unfortunately, our police department does not have the capacity to retrieve lost or stray animals and take them to shelters. The department is short-staffed due to budget constraints and has vacant positions. While we acknowledge that responding to stray animals is an important service, our police must prioritize responses to issues of public safety.
How should residents handle lost or found pets?
We encourage community members to post information about lost or found pets on one or more of the following:
● PawBoost.com
● NextDoor
● Neighbors by Ring
● Lost & Found Pets of South King County Facebook group
● Lost Dogs of King County Facebook group
● Lost Dogs of King County website
If an animal is injured, contact a 24-hour veterinary hospital for assistance.
If an animal has bitten someone, call 9-1-1. Please do not call 9-1-1 to report a stray animal.
What opportunities does the City have for restoring animal control services?
Some funding for animal control services is generated through pet licensing, which has not been well promoted or enforced in the past. The City is exploring a contract with a firm to administer pet licensing. All proceeds would go to expand animal control services.