Unlicensed pets could fetch a hefty fine this year if Seattle Animal Shelter officers can catch them.

Thanks to a $250,000 boost in its annual budget, the shelter hired three additional officers, increasing its patrol staff to 15 as part of its "zero-tolerance policy."

Officers will be out patrolling parks, off-leash areas and neighborhoods more than 100 hours per week, up from 20 hours per week during the last few years, said Don Jordan, director of the Seattle Animal Shelter.

"It really gives us the opportunity to expand our services," Jordan said. "One of the expectations is to make a more concerted effort to increase the number of animals identified in the community."

Out of the city's estimated 375,000 dogs and cats, about 62,000 are licensed, he said.

"Only a very small percentage are licensed," said Jordan. "So we know there are many more out there."

If caught with unregistered cats, dogs or pot-bellied pigs, owners will be subject to a mandatory $125 Seattle Municipal Court fine. The court more than doubled the "failure to license" citation from $54 in September at the urging of the Seattle Animal Shelter.

"Fifty-four dollars seemed fairly low and more pet owners were willing to take the risk," said Jordan. "I think $125 is enough of an incentive to do what you're required to do."

The shelter started its zero-tolerance policy in 2005 as a pilot project. That year the shelter was able to increase the number of licenses it issued by 27 percent. Licenses range in cost from $20 to $40 a year.

The shelter is enforcing the stricter policy to protect animals in case of emergencies, said Jordan. Licensing a pet is like taking out a life insurance policy on them, he said.

"We want to reunite more animals with their owners," Jordan said. "And the more pets that are licensed reduces the number of animals euthanized each year."

Pet licenses and microchips, which are surgically implanted between the animals' shoulders, can provide vital ownership and medical information if an animal is lost or injured.

"It's a big safety net to have that central database," said Jordan. "Not only is it a regulatory requirement, it's the right thing for a pet owner to do."

Revenue from pet license fees helps support the shelter's efforts to prevent animal cruelty, solve nuisance animal problems and provide low-cost spay and neuter services. Also, experience shows that an injured animal wearing a license is more likely to receive veterinary care if the owner is not around, Jordan said.

About 970 citations were issued in 2005 and more than 1,000 last year. The shelter expects that number to be much greater this year with the increase in patrols.

On any given day there could be as many as 10 officers on patrol on foot, bicycle or riding with Seattle Parks and Recreation employees.

"We're going to be out in force this year," said Jordan. "We've tried the door-to-door campaigns and the officer friendly approaches, but the reality is, it hasn't worked."

Other Animal Control officers may even be out in plainclothes.

"But we're not trying to be sneaky about it," said Jordan.

Dog owner Cheryl Brown said she only licensed her Yorkshire terrier because it's the law. She's not happy about the increase in citation patrol either.

"I think it's silly to have raised the amount of the fine but then again I think it's silly to get a ticket for this anyway," said Brown. "I can think of plenty of other places that could better benefit from an increased police presence..."

Judith Davis, director of West Seattle's Friends of the Animals Foundation, said more people tend to license dogs than cats because it's thought cats are less likely to get lost if they are house pets. But if the cat gets out of the house and is lost or injured, the shelters and animal hospitals have no way of contacting its owner.

"I see it all too often," said Davis. "So many people lose their pets and then never know what happens to them. The whole idea of getting your pet licensed - not only because it's the law - is to get your animal home."

Simply licensing your pet isn't enough, she said. Pet owners should make sure their furry friend actually wears its license on a collar, even if the animal has a microchip.

If the animal doesn't have its ownership clearly displayed, the average person could mistake it as a stray because many don't know to check for a microchip, Davis said.

"It's not going to help if (the license) is sitting at home on your dresser," she said.

Strays that are brought to animal hospitals usually spend a few days there before they are taken to the Seattle Animal Shelter. There, they could be euthanized if they aren't claimed after three days.

Davis likes that the city has made it easier for people to license their pets now that the service is more widely available at veterinarian clinics. But instead of increasing licensing patrols, the shelter should put its extra resources toward preventing animal abuse, she said.

"It's kind of scary," Davis said. "I don't know why they are doing it. They'll just be picking up more dogs and cats and taking them to the pound."

The costs for pet licenses are:__ Dog: one-year, $40 ($20 if spayed or neutered); two-year, $62 ($30 if spayed or neutered). __Cat: one-year, $25 ($15 if spayed or neutered); two-year, $40 ($22 if spayed or neutered). A 50 percent discount on fees is available for low-income senior citizens and disabled persons.

The Seattle Animal Shelter is located at 2061 15th Ave. W., about one mile south of the Ballard Bridge. Visit the shelter to purchase a pet license or call 386-4262 for the location of a neighborhood service center or veterinarian who sells licenses in your area. Licenses can also be purchased and renewed online at https://dea.seattle.gov/pets/GettingStarted.aspx.