As the weather improves and pet owners allow their animals to go outside, household pets are at higher risk of being accidentally lost or stolen. To protect pets, the Seattle Animal Shelter continues its aggressive campaign to make sure pet owners license their pets.

"A license is like a life insurance policy for your pet," says shelter Director Don Jordan. "If your pet gets lost and doesn't have a license tag or a microchip, the odds are you'll never see your pet again."

To make it as convenient as possible, the shelter is mailing license applications to 20,000 Seattle residents each month. Combined with a mass mailing to 250,000 Seattle residents last year, this ongoing effort will put pet license applications in the mailboxes of every single-family residence in the city. In addition, pet owners may purchase licenses online or at most Seattle neighborhood service centers, select veterinary clinics, and at the Seattle Animal Shelter.

"Only 17 percent of the nations 3.8 million stray dogs and 2 percent of the nations 2.3 million stray cats ever make it home again. It is our sincere hope that the dual protection of having both a pet license and a permanent microchip will increase the odds that you and your pet are reunited if your pet is ever lost or stolen. And with more pets licensed, fewer animals will have to be euthanized each year," says Jordan.

The costs for pet licenses are:

Dog: one-year $40 ($20 if spayed or neutered); or two-years $62 ($30 if spayed or neutered).

Cat: one-year $25 ($15 if spayed or neutered); or two-years $40 ($22 if spayed or neutered).