Your Friendly Neighborhood Animal Control Officer

Published on April 15, 2022

Animal Control Officer Hunter Woldseth

Hunter Woldseth is our full-time Animal Control Officer under the City’s Animal Services Program. Born and raised in Washington, his love for animals started early - growing up on a farm in Snoqualmie Valley with livestock, chickens, dogs and cats.

Officer Woldseth’s mission is to look out for the well-being of Kirkland’s pets, and reminds pet owners that:

  • He gives lost pets a free ride home! If properly licensed, pets can be easily identified by their license number and brought home
  • Licensing your pet is required by law in Kirkland
  • There are three ways to license your pet: online, in person or by mail
  • You could be fined $250 for an unlicensed pet
  • Under the active state COVID-19 Emergency Proclamation, Animal Services is waiving late fees for pet licensing and proof of rabies vaccination is not required if it’s unavailable at the time of licensing.

Pets are legally considered property, so Officer Woldseth won’t take your pet from you because it’s unlicensed. Getting your pet licensed will mean he can return them to you that much faster!

Other ways Officer Woldseth and Animal Services help the community:

  • Provide Pet Shelter – the City contracts with Everett Animal Shelter for stray and lost pets if owners can’t be reached immediately
  • Address Animal Control issues – about barking dogs, off-leash dogs and animal neglect, but also assist local wildlife concerns
  • Answer your general pet questions

Though it’s not a focus of his position, Officer Woldseth also helps injured wild animals – he’s taken a hurt seagull to PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society) and coordinated with wildlife facilities to help other injured animals, such as a wild rabbit and even a bat.

A few reminders from Officer Woldseth:

  • If you don’t report a dog bite, a potentially dangerous dog, an animal cruelty case or other pet issue, then he can’t help you or your neighborhood find a solution.
  • Dogs in Kirkland are required to be on a leash at all times, unless they are in designated off-leash areas.
  • Cats are more likely to get rabies than dogs, so it’s very important that both cats and dogs get their rabies vaccinations.

For information about Pet Licensing and other Animal Services, go here.

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