These costs would be on top of any impound fees and penalty fees owners pay for not having proof their dogs, cats or ferrets are vaccinated against rabies.

Dog owner Kate Hebel said she thinks the intent of the ordinance change has good intentions to keep pets and owners safe but goes too far and could hurt low-income people in their efforts to bring a pet home from the animal control impound.

"It would be heartbreaking to see families struggle with an impound bill that could possibly be several hundred dollars," Hebel said. "Some families would have to literally choose between groceries and bringing pets home to children, and that's hard to imagine."

Hebel said she would like to see a compromise in the proposed ordinance geared toward raising public awareness and allowing pet owners a reasonable amount of time to get their pets properly vaccinated or then face the possibility of forfeiture of the pet.

"I am very worried that there will be more families who have to make a tough decision to leave their pets behind," Hebel said. "There could be citywide events to help low-income people afford the vaccinations and micro-chipping and maybe avoid more pets left at the impound."

Attempts by KSTP to reach City Council President Brendmoen for comment have been unsuccessful.

There will be a public hearing on this issue 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the City Council chambers.