Public Disclosure Requests (PDRs) - Frequently Asked Questions
- seattleanimalwatch
- Apr 25, 2023
- 1 min read
Public disclosure requests, or PDRs, are a crucial tool for citizens and activists. PDRs give citizens the power to request information, documents and other data to create transparency and allow us to engage with our government on important local issues. PDRs can particularly benefit animal welfare activists as so many decisions are made without public outreach or engagement. In addition, activists often deal with a disinterested media that either does not pursue animal welfare as a serious topic or provides only cursory reporting.
Here are a few basic questions and answers to get you started.
Q. What is a public disclosure request?
A public disclosure request is a request made by an individual or organization for copies of public government records for review. Such public records include documents in all formats, whether electronic or paper, that relate to government operations or conduct. All government documents are considered public records, and are subject to public review, unless a law specifically exempts certain information from disclosure.
Q. What is the Washington State Public Records Act?
The Public Records Act (Chapter 42.56 RCW) is a Washington State law that allows you to review government records. The Public Records Act (PRA) requires that all public records maintained by state and local agencies be made available to all members of the public, with very narrow statutory exemptions. State and local governments must follow this law.
Q. Who can make a public disclosure request?
Any individual or organization can make a public disclosure request. That includes you. And, yes, if municipal animal services are part of your local government, they are subject to the exact same laws as the other departments and offices.
Q. Where can I make a public disclosure request from the City of Seattle?
You can go to this website and follow the prompts that will direct you to the correct office. You will enter your request and you should receive a confirmation that it has been received. After your request is received and it is assigned to a public disclosure officer, you will receive communications either providing the requested information, asking for clarifications, estimating a completion date, or denying a request due to confidentiality issues. Depending on the scope of the request and the overall volume of other requests, the effort to complete the work may take up to a few months.
Q. How far back in time can I request documents?
Check with the agency but the general “look back” period is ten (10) years.
Q. Do I have to pay for this?
Yes, you should expect to pay for the data. The amount depends on the format you are requesting. Electronic copies are generally much cheaper and may be as little as $1.25 for the entire project. You can pay online or by US mail.
Q. Will my request be confidential?
No. Public disclosure requests received by the City of Seattle are public records. According to the City’s website, “Absent applicable exemptions, public disclosure requests are subject to disclosure upon request. This includes any personal information a requestor provides to the City in making a public disclosure request, such as name, residential address, email address or telephone number. Credit card information and other financial information transmitted through the Public Records Request Center's secure payment system is not subject to disclosure.”
Q. What are some examples of public disclosure requests?
It is best to be as specific as possible. You are requesting records, not answers to questions. Upon receipt of your data, you will then have to do the work of reviewing and analyzing the results you receive..
Examples that are likely to work:
Please provide animal cruelty complaints by year, type and resolution from 2016 through 2022.
Please provide all records related to Miss Starla the guinea pig who entered the City shelter in October 2020.
Please provide a breakdown of all donations received by the Seattle Animal Shelter by source and by year from 2016 through 2022.
Please provide all emails discussing the change to Title 9 that added language regarding reimbursements for care of seized animals.
Please provide records related to the dismissal of Animal Care Officer XYZ.
The following are less likely to get a response:
Why was this animal euthanized?
Why are there no laws for tethering?
Why is this law so outdated?
Q. Is a PDR the same as a FOIA request?
PDRs are often referred to as FOIA requests. FOIA stands for Freedom of Information Act. FOIAs are the same in spirit but still different. They are directly related to information requests of the federal government. The terms are often used interchangeably.
Q. I’m not from Washington state. How do I learn about public disclosure laws where I live?
Public disclosure laws can be unique. Citizens should research and become aware of the laws in their own state.
Start with your state government and its law code.
Contact a local library for research assistance and/or
Seek help from a City or County Clerk’s office.
Q. What if I’m submitting PDRs and no one is responding?
If there are public records laws in your state, local governments should have employees handling public disclosure requests. If you are submitting requests and receiving no response, review your requests to make sure they are allowable under the laws and whom to contact with questions. You may need to go to elected officials or even the media to call attention to the issue. Do not allow the nonresponse to slide. If you are being affected, chances are that others are as well.
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