Starting Monday, Nov. 17, San Juan County dog tags will be available to purchase. This year you can protect your dog with an orange bell. This simple protection will assure 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 sanjuanco.com and type “dog license search.” Once you are on the dog license search page, type in the tag number. This will provide you with the dog’s name, owner’s contact numbers and vet’s name.  If you have provided a photo of your dog to the database (for a $5 annual fee), someone who finds your dog will be able to verify that the dog they found is yours. All dogs in San Juan County are required to be licensed. A share of the proceeds from the fees goes to the local Animal Protection Societies for their operations. Another portion is reserved for reimbursement of owners of livestock killed or damaged by dogs. The remainder goes into a county fund which pays the costs of the licensing program. The balance is divided between the animal shelters for impound services.

Licenses are available at the following locations. San Juan: San Juan County Auditor’s Office, Harbor Veterinary and Animal Protection Society. Orcas: Pawki’s for Pets, Eastsound Kennels and Animal Protection Society. Lopez: Sunset Builders, Ark Veterinary and Animal Protection Society.