The Denver City Council on Monday approved an ordinance that opens the way for new fees related to adopting pets from the city’s animal shelter.
The move allows the city’s environmental health department’s board to set new fees for adopting an animal from the shelter along with the fees associated with paying to spay and neuter the pet.
The department plans to increase the cost of adopting popular puppies from the current $109.50 to $150.
The cost to adopt older dogs would decrease from the current $109.50 to $95 to provide an incentive for the less-popular animals.
The amount to adopt a kitten would jump from the current $71.50 to $95, but the amount for adopting an older cat will drop to $60.
Fines also would increase for violations such as failing to pick up pet waste, animal cruelty and failing to license dogs and cats.
