San Juan County dog tags will be available to purchase starting Monday, Nov. 18. This year you can protect your dog with a purple shield. It assures you of being reconnected with your dog if it gets lost. The county’s animal control database allows anyone to look up dog owners by dog tag number. If you find a dog, go to www.sanjuanco.com and type in “dog license search” in the search box. Owners can include a photo of their dog in the database.

All dogs in San Juan County are required by law to be licensed. A share of the proceeds from the fees goes to the local animal shelters for their operations.  The remainder goes into a county fund which pays the expenses of the licensing and animal control program. Part of that fund is reserved for reimbursement for livestock injured or killed by dogs.

The cost is neutered males/spayed females: $12; Natural male or female: $30; replacement tag (current year’s tag): $2; rhoto fee (annually): $5; late fee (after March 31, 2014): $10.

Dog licenses are available at locations at:

San Juan: Auditor’s office, Harbor Veterinary Clinic, and Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor.

Orcas:  Pawki’s for Pets, Eastsound Kennels, & Orcas Animal Protection Society.

Lopez:  Sunset Builders, Ark Veterinary Clinic and Lopez Animal Protection Society.