HomeMy WebLinkAboutCLD-033-07
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REPORT
CLERK'S DEPARTMENT
Meeting:
GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
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By-law #: :) 00'7- JoB
File#:
Date:
October 22, 2007
Report #:
CLD-033-07
Subject:
ANIMAL SERVICES ADOPTION FEES
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report CLD-033-07 be received;
2. THAT the Municipal Clerk and Deputy Clerk be authorized to reduce and/or waive
adoption fees set out in Schedule A of By-law 2006-227; and
3. THAT By-law 2006-227 be amended to reflect this authority.
Submitted by:
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Reviewed by.: lin Wu,
f Chief Administrative Officer
PLB'cag
CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 F 905-623-6506
REPORT NO.: CLD-033-07
PAGE 2
BACKGROUND AND COMMENT
The activities at the Clarington Animal Shelter are, for the most part, seasonal. The spring
brings with it a variety of wildlife calls which last throughout the summer. As well, the spring is
mating season which results in an increase of stray cats, many of which come into the shelter
pregnant. Thus far in 2007, we had 24 litters of kittens all of which we cleaned, fed and
adopted. With families being home during the summer months our calls for stray cats to be
restrained and/or brought into the Shelter rapidly increase, but for many of the calls, because
we are "full", our protocol is to record the name and address of the caller on our waiting list and
when a cage becomes available (primarily through adoptions) we make arrangements to
respond to those persons on the waiting list. This is a most frustrating process for both the
resident and the staff although we believe that it is far more humane than the alternative of
euthanizing the animals in order to free up a cage.
Section 9.3 of our Responsible Pet Owner By-law, By-law 2006-227, requires a person
adopting an animal from the Clarington Animal Shelter to pay the appropriate adoption fees as
set forth in Schedule A of the By-law. Adoption fees are $85.00 for dogs and $120.00 for cats.
Note, on a monthly basis cats are transported to PetS mart in Whitby to be promoted for
adoption and on occasion we also place cats at Pet Value in Bowmanville. Cats adopted
during their stay at PetSmart or Pet Value are adopted for $85.00.
At various times throughout the year, we often find that some animals are simply not adopted
and remain in the Shelter for an extended period of time. Our statistics indicate that the
average length of stay per animal at our Shelter is as follows:
2006 Average stay - 62 days 2006 Average Stay - 11 days
Range from 1 day ~ 370 days Range from 1 day ~ 85 days
2007 Average stay - 46 days 2007 Average stay - 8 days
(to date) Range from 1 day ~ 209 days (to date) Range from 1 day ~ 39 days
REPORT NO.: CLD-033-07
PAGE 3
The daily cost to maintain an animal is very difficult to estimate due to fluctuating health and
care needs. However, on average, two animal services officer each spend between three to
five hours daily for basic cleaning and feeding. Our goal is to minimize the length of stay for
the well-being of the animal, to minimize sheltering costs, and to better accommodate the
needs of our community.
Research indicates there is no one single approach to accelerating the adoption/placement
process; but rather a combination of options certainly has proven to help. Staff are currently
working on establishing a protocol for assessing cats for adoptability and staff are also
investigating the approach to "group housing" for cats. We are confident that the new protocol
combined with group housing will assist in reducing the length of stay at the Shelter for some
animals.
In addition to these new practices, we believe that reducing the adoption fees now and again
and putting the cat "on sale" will assist in promoting the adoption of some of the animals. Our
current By-law does not provide for any flexibility in adoption rates.
Staff are requesting Council to grant the Municipal Clerk and Deputy Clerk the authority to
reduce the adoption fees, as deemed appropriate, to assist in promoting the adoption of any
animal (cat or dog) that is suitable for adoption but where such animal has remained in the
shelter for an extended period of time.
Attachment #1
Draft By-law
Interested parties to be advised of Council's decision:
Ms. Liz White, Animal Alliance of Canada
Animal Advisory Committee
THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
BY.LAW NO. 2007.???
Being a By-law to amend By-law 2006-227, a by-law to
licence, regulate and prohibit certain animals or classes
thereof within the limits of the Municipality of Clarington, or
defined areas therein.
WHEREAS Section 103 of the Municipal Act confers the power upon a municipality to
pass a by-law to provide for the seizure and impounding of animals being at large or
trespassing and the sale of impounded animals under certain conditions;
AND WHEREAS Section 391 of the Municipal Act authorizes the municipality to pass
by-laws imposing fees or charges on any class of Persons for services or activities
provided or done by or on behalf of it;
AND WHEREAS Section 396 of the Municipal Act provides that a by-law passed under
Section 391 may provide for fees and charges that vary on any basis the municipality
considers appropriate and specifies in the by-law, and for different classes of Persons
and deal with each class in a different way;
AND WHEREAS the Municipality of Clarington recognizes that often animals deemed
suitable for adoption remain in the Shelter for extended periods of time awaiting
adoption;
AND WHEREAS it is not desirable to house an animal in a caged environment for an
extended period of time;
NOW THEREFORE the Council of The Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington
hereby enacts as follows:
1. THAT By-law 2006-277 be amended to add the following section:
"9.6 Notwithstanding Section 9.3, where an animal that this suitable for adoption has
been kept in the Shelter for an extended period of time, or when otherwise deemed
appropriate, the Municipal Clerk or the Deputy Clerk may reduce the adoption fees as
set forth in Schedule A for the purpose of promoting adoption of an animaL"
By-Law read a first time this day of October 2007.
By-Law read a second time this day of October 2007.
By-Law read a third time and finally passed this day of October 2007.
Jim Abemethy, Mayor
Patti L. Barrie, Municipal Clerk