It seems to me Animal Control collects quite a few animals in our area. What are the guidelines for animal control to take dogs or cats from their neighborhood to the Kent shelter?

Any animal that is running loose in an area of unincorporated King County can be picked up by Animal Control officers and taken to the Shelter.

It depends on if someone calls in that there is a stray in the area. Or if they know a neighborhood gets a lot of strays.

So if your cat goes outside during the day they can snatch it? Do they check for a chip or just take it and collect $$ from the owner?

Yes