If a new bill passes, it could start to cost more to own a pet in Colorado.
What do Coloradans think about paying an annual fee just to own a pet? If you have multiple pets, the costs can add up quickly.
This doesn't seem like a very good idea.
You love your “furry family” – dogs, cats, and rabbits. If Colorado started making people pay to register their pets, would the number of adoptions go down?
What is this new “pet registration” bill in Colorado about?
HB24-1163, introduced on January 31, 2024, wants the state to create a “pet animal registration system.” Coloradans would be required to register each “pet animal” in their household or face fines.
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How much do Coloradans pay to register their pets?
If this bill actually gets a vote and is approved, Coloradans would pay:
- Up to $8.50 per pet per year.
- Up to $16 per year if your dog or cat is not spayed or neutered.
- Up to $25 per year if you do not designate a caregiver for each pet.
What does “caregiver” mean?
From the bill:
A caregiver is responsible for the care and custody of a pet animal in the event of an emergency situation in which the pet animal's owner is incapacitated.
Where does this “registration” money go?
A large portion of this will be devoted to establishing and maintaining the new system. A portion of this funding will also be used to reimburse animal shelters across Colorado for the cost of adopting pets if a home cannot be found for them.
What are the penalties for not registering a pet?
Fines up to $100 for each unregistered pet.
Who introduced this “pet registration” bill in Colorado?
Democratic Congresswoman Regina English, from El Paso County.
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Gallery credit: Matt Sparks
