If you have a pet in the city and county of Denver, chances are you do not have a license for him or her.
Fewer than 10 percent of pets in Denver wear a license tag around their necks, according to statistics from Denver’s Animal Care and Control Department.
Denver animal-control officials say they want to improve licensing numbers, partly as a way to return pets to their owners but also as a way to increase the amount of revenue to pay for animal control and care within the city.
Because so few people license their pets, Denver is potentially losing $4 million a year, according to numbers provided by city officials.
Officials estimate there are 150,000 dogs living within city limits and 153,000 cats. Only 18,892 pets had licenses in 2009.
The $15 one-year licenses and $40 three-year licenses provide revenue to the city’s general fund. Owners may apply for licenses online, by mail or in person.
