Adopting a dog or cat from Denver's animal shelter may get more expensive except in cases of people taking older pets.

The Division of Animal Care and Control is proposing a long list of fee increases, including a hefty boost in the cost of adopting dogs and cats younger than 6 years old.

Director Doug Kelley said Friday he doesn't think the proposed fee increases will drive up the city's overall euthanasia rate, which was 35 percent last year.

He said he thinks the proposed fee increases are reasonable and in line with other agencies.

"We have really good programs as far as getting those animals adopted," Kelley said. "And if not, they can be transferred to other organizations so if they are adoptable animals, they can stay adoptable. We're going to try our best to get them either adopted out or somewhere," he added.

Under the proposal, the cost of adopting a dog between 8 weeks and 1 year old would increase to $150 from $109.50.

For a dog between 1 and 6 years old, the cost would increase $20.50, to a total of $130.

The fee for adopting a cat between 8 weeks and 5 months old would increase to $95 from $71.50.

The adoption fee for a cat between 6 months and 6 years old would be $87, an increase of $15.50.

The cost of adopting dogs and cats 6 years and older would decrease $14.50 and $11.50, respectively.

Meghan Hughes, a spokeswoman for the city's Department of Environmental Health, said most municipalities have similar fee structures.

"We actually spent a year doing comparisons on this and checking with other municipalities, like Aurora," she said. "The majority of them, that's the way they do it because obviously younger animals are in higher demand than older animals so it allows us to encourage (the adoption of older animals) by actually minimizing the cost of adopting an older pet."

Animal control is also proposing to increase the cost of vaccinations, certain licenses and permits, impoundment fees and other services.

Under the proposal, a one- year license for a dog and a cat will increase by $5 and a three-year license will increase by $10.

"We are still doing (revenue) projections because it depends on volumes and so forth," said Sherry Purdy, deputy manager of environmental health. "But I believe we have targeted for both fees and fines additional revenues of approximately $350,000 in 2009. That's not just fees. That's also civil penalties."

The proposal is going before a City Council committee Tuesday.

Hughes said the animal shelter isn't increasing fees to make money.

"Most animal-care agencies raise their fees every year, and the majority of our fees haven't been raised in five years or more. Some, believe it or not, go back as far 27 years," she said.

"Part of being able to provide this service is being able to ensure that we can continue to provide this service," she said.

chacond@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5099