City Health Commissioner Thomas Farley wants to increase dog- and cat-license fees to plug future budget holes — a move already drawing howls of protest from pet lovers.

“This proposal will place New York City in line with all other jurisdictions in the state, which already have the authority to increase their own dog-license fees,” Farley told the City Council during a budget hearing yesterday.

“The city needs this revenue to fund city budgeted animal care and control expenses, and to pay for better protection of lost, strayed, homeless and abandoned animals,” he added.

The current $8.50 fee “has not changed for almost 40 years,” and is one of the lowest in the country, he said.

Farley wouldn’t say how much he wants to charge. But City Councilman Domenic Recchia (D-Brooklyn), who chaired the budget hearing, barked at the hike.

“For some people who own dogs it would really affect them,” he said. “Dogs bring happiness to seniors, to children. Leave the dogs alone!”