Colorado Considers Honor For Shelter Dogs, Cats

DENVER (AP) — Shelter cats and dogs would become Colorado's official state pets under a bill that has won initial approval in the state Senate.

The bill approved Wednesday would give the honorary title to draw attention to adopting cats and dogs. The pet designation comes because Colorado already has an official animal, the Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep. Colorado also has a state bird, the lark bunting, and an official fish, the green cutthroat trout.

The pet designation passed on an unrecorded voice vote. Some senators complained that the designation is a distraction from more important matters facing Colorado. But sponsors pointed out that the measure was proposed by schoolchildren and sends a positive message about caring for animals.

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