The City of Pacific has agreed to an animal control contract with Metro Animal Services of Pierce County.

With King County changing the way animal control services are funded, Pacific, like other nearby cities, weighed its options, including staying with King County animal control.

According to Mayor Richard Hildreth, the city opted for Metro after exploring the cost, quality of service and program operation. Hildreth said Pacific will enter a six-month contract at first, with plans to negotiate a long-term service contract.

For the six months of service, the City will pay Metro $12,580. Any fees collected for license renewals at Pacific City Hall will offset the cost.

Metro originally began as a cooperative effort in late 1998 between Puyallup and Sumner to open a joint animal shelter. Since 2006, it also has provided services to the cities of Bonney Lake, Edgewood and Milton. It operated a shelter located at 1200 39th Ave. SE in Puyallup, where they also provided adoption services.

For Pacific residents who have licensed their pets through King County, those licenses will remain valid. However, renewals must not be made with King County. License renewals can be made at Pacific City Hall with Metro.

For more information about Metrol Animal Services, call 253-841-5595 or visit www.metroanimalservices.org.

Metro is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 10-4 Saturday. It is closed Sundays and holidays.