Explore new animal regulations in Washington state

This collection of stories describes laws about animals in Washington state, including recent changes to regulations about pets and wildlife.

For example, the state of Washington has enacted a ban on feeding certain wild animals to address the spread of illness. Washington also restricted the use of certain animals in traveling circuses to address animal welfare concerns.

In Tacoma, changes to city codes include updates to pet licensing fees and a new classification for “community cats” as part of efforts to manage animal overpopulation.

Read the stories below.

The City of Tacoma allows residents to keep goats on their private property for short-term and long periods of time, but must be compliant with city code. Pictured above is Pat the ewe walks around in her enclosure at Graham Fire and Rescue Station 96 in Graham, Wash. on Oct. 4, 2022. Pat was rescued by firefighters at the station after she was reported wandering around the area. She now lives with the station’s goats, Torch and Drip, after the station was unable to locate her owner. By Cheyenne Boone

NO. 1: CAN YOU HAVE GOATS, CHICKENS IN PIERCE COUNTY? YES, BUT THERE ARE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

The number and type of livestock that Pierce County residents can have depends on the size of the property. Here the specific requirements. | Published April 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Rosemary Montalvo

A trail cam in a Hartsel, Colorado, garden captures video of two raccoons fighting at night

NO. 2: IT’S ILLEGAL TO TRAP WILD ANIMALS IN WA. WHAT TO DO WITH RACCOONS, OTHER WILDLIFE AT HOME

Trapping wildlife without certification is a measure of “last resort” and can result in a gross misdemeanor. Here’s what to do instead. | Published June 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Karlee Van De Venter

NO. 3: ARE YOU ALLOWED TO BURY YOUR PET IN YOUR BACKYARD IN WASHINGTON? HERE’S WHAT THE LAW SAYS

The loss of a beloved pet is difficult and choosing how to honor them after their death is just as hard. | Published July 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Rosemary Montalvo

Head elephant manager Terry Frisco with elephant Mable as she kicks a beach ball. By Michael S. Williamson

NO. 4: WASHINGTON BECOMES TWELFTH STATE TO RESTRICT CIRCUS ANIMAL USE. HERE’S WHY

Animals like elephants, bears, big cats and others will not be allowed to travel for performance purposes. | Published April 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Karlee Van De Venter

A deer — and friends — frolic at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. By Reid Wilson

NO. 5: ‘DON’T FEED WILDLIFE.’ WHY WA MADE IT ILLEGAL TO FEED SPECIFIC ANIMALS

From bird feeders to salt licks, feeding wildlife can actually be dangerous for them. | Published May 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Genevieve Belmaker

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NO. 6: ‘LEGALIZING PIGS’: TACOMA TO CHANGE CITY CODE TO ADDRESS ANIMAL OVERPOPULATION

The changes eliminate the potential for jail time or fines for residents who own pigs. License fees for cats and dogs also increasing. | Published June 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isha Trivedi

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.