SAYING ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS WERE GREATER THAN THE REVENUE IT BROUGHT IN, THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE HAS ENDED ITS PET LICENSING PROGRAM. THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THE CHANGE AFTER THE ANIMAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT MORE THAN 80-PERCENT OF PETS IN ALBUQUERQUE WERE NOT LICENSED. ALONG WITH THE NEW ORDINANCE, ANIMAL WELFARE HAS INSTITUTED A PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS FIELD OFFICERS TO RETURN A PET TO THEIR OWNER WITHOUT THE PET EVER HAVING TO COME INTO THE SHELTER. THE CITY SAYS MORE THAN 170 PETS HAVE BEEN REUNITED WITH THEIR OWNERS THROUGH THIS PROGRAM. PETS WILL STILL HAVE TO BE MICRO-CHIPPED, VACCINATED, AND SPAYED OR NEUTERED.
