City records may shortchange cats

  • By Jennifer Warnick and Scott North / Herald Writers
  • Saturday, April 10, 2004 9:00pm
  • Local NewsLocal news

EVERETT — Make no mistake, this is a fluff piece.

It’s a story about Emma and Errol. It’s about Ashley, Clyde, Henry and Rosie.

It’s about those who live in some of Everett’s finest homes, as well as those who live in some of the city’s least finest homes.

But that’s irrelevant. Cats and dogs don’t rank their masters according to social status, they just love them for what they are.

It’s tough to pin down the absolute truth about cats and dogs in Snohomish County’s largest city. No one may ever know who let the dogs out in Everett. Or, for that matter, whether stray cats really strut.

There’s no way to know exactly how many cats and dogs live in the city, since there’s no doggy and kitty census. But, according to Everett’s pet licensing records, at the beginning of this year there were more than 11,800 licensed dogs in the city and about 4,700 licensed cats.

The numbers suggest this doggist conclusion:

In Everett, dogs rule and cats drool.

City officials say it may be more complex than that.

Cats, which often are kept as indoor pets, aren’t licensed as often as canines. And because many owners opt to license their pets for life, the city’s numbers are squishy.

So Ginger, a dachshund mix licensed for life in 1982 still shows up in city records, even though her owner said she died in 1989.

A close look at pet licensing in Everett demonstrates that not every neighborhood has the same tastes when it comes to friends with four feet.

The Riverside Neighborhood in Northeast Everett has the most dogs licensed, at 1,380. Port Gardner is the most cat-friendly neighborhood, with 500 registered felines.

Valley View, one of the smallest neighborhoods, also has the least number of pets — 69 cats and 169 dogs.

The most popular breeds in the city are Labrador retrievers and lab mixes.

In Riverside, a neighborhood that celebrates its blue-collar roots, people are partial to pit bulls and rottweilers.

Port Gardner, a neighborhood with fewer dogs than Riverside, seems to like lap dogs. It has a hefty share of the city’s Pomeranians, Chihuahuas and Shih Tzus.

Though many owners — thousands, even — don’t list their pet’s name when they obtain a license, Everett has seen at least 62 dogs named Buster, 33 named Scooter and 16 cats named Fluffy.

With pets, as with people, there are wrenchingly sad stories. As any of the dozens of shelters and rescue organizations in the area will testify, there is neglect, abuse and homelessness.

But there are also shining examples of pet ownership, and plenty of evidence that for some cats and dogs, life in Everett is nothing more than a day at the spa or a walk in the park.

Reporter Jennifer Warnick: 425-339-3429 or jwarnick@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.