Canvassers with King County Animal Services are making the rounds in Bellevue to educate residents about a requirement that all cats and dogs eight weeks and older be licensed.

Bellevue contracts with King County for animal services, which is paid for through pet licensing. No one found without a licensed pet will be cited during canvassing, which is expected to last through October, but 30-day temporary licenses will be issued.

Licenses may be purchased at Bellevue City Hall, the Crossroads mini-City Hall, Aerowood Animal Hospital and all QFC stores. Licenses can be purchased online at kingcounty.gov/pets.

Pet licensing allows owners to be reunited with lost animals, earns lost pets a free ride home when found and funds shelter care, dangerous and nuisance animal responses and investigating cases of reported animal cruelty or neglect.

Questions or concerns should be directed to Sandy Jones, King County pet license canvassing coordinator, at 206-205-6167 or sandy.jones@kingcounty.gov.