WAIF launches digital tool for Oak Harbor pet tags
The new DocuPet system aims to cut costs and reunite lost animals, though issuance numbers have remained flat year-to-date.
By Gabriela Ivanov ·
Pet owners in Oak Harbor and unincorporated Island County now use a new digital platform to register their animals. The Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation, known as WAIF, began using the DocuPet system in mid-August. This change removes the need for physical tag purchases and allows owners to manage records online.
WAIF Executive Director Cinnamon Hudgins stated that the system helps reunite lost animals with their owners and reduces administrative expenses. The platform sends reminders by mail, email, and text before and after license expiration. Licenses no longer expire at the end of the calendar year in which they are purchased.
Hudgins said improving the registration process makes communities safer and provides valuable data for animal welfare planning. "Improving pet licensing and registration procedure is important because it can make communities safer, help reunite lost pets with their families, support animal shelters and provide valuable information for better animal welfare planning," Hudgins said.
Licensing numbers have not yet shown a major increase under the new system. Hudgins reported that the number of licenses issued from September 1 to October 28 was comparable to the same period last year. However, a breakdown shows an increase in Island County licenses compared to the City of Oak Harbor.
City Communications Officer Magi Aguilar noted that Oak Harbor’s animal licensing revenue increased by 31% in 2024 but decreased by 9% in 2025. She attributed these fluctuations to changes in household circumstances and the types of licenses purchased. Having WAIF handle the process saves the city about $410 annually in tag purchases, along with staff time and administrative costs.
Aguilar wrote that the city evaluates the program based on public accessibility, safety, and efficiency, not just revenue. "Overall, the city evaluates the success of the animal licensing program not solely on annual revenue, but also on public accessibility, public safety, operational efficiency, community education and the important role licensing plays in reuniting lost pets with their owners," she wrote. Fees collected go to the respective jurisdictions, while WAIF handles the administrative work. Hudgins added that purchasing a license shows responsibility and supports public safety.
