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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-215-90 TOWN OF NEWCASTLE CONTROL.GPA REPORT File # Res. #... By-Law # METING: General Purpose and Administration Committee DATE: Monday, June 18, 1990 REPORT #: PD-215-90 FILE #: SU&JECT.: OPERATIONAL ISSUES RELATED TO THE ANIMAL CONTROL CENTRE RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PD-215-90 be received; 2 . THAT Animal Adoption Fee for dogs and cats at $45. 00 and $25 .00 respectively be APPROVED; 3. THAT Animal Trap daily rental fee and deposit of $2 .00 and $35 . 00 respectively be APPROVED; 4 . THAT the Director of Planning and Development be authorized to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the local Veterinary Clinics to detail the arrangements as contained in Paragraph 4 of this Report; and 5 . THAT the Mayor and the Town Clerk be authorized to save Durham Vet Clinic harmless against any liability that may arise out of the misuse and loss of the euthanasia drug T-61 by the Town Animal Control Officers . 1. BACKGROUND: 1. 1 The purpose of this report is to identify three (3) separate issues related to the operation of the Animal Control Centre . . .2 REPORT NO. : PD-215-90 PAGE 2 that require new policies or changes in policy to guide and direct the overall effective operation of the Animal Control Centre. 1.2 The issues discussed in the following report , are: a) proposed new rates for animal adoption fee b) proposed rental fee for traps c) proposed agreement with Veterinary Clinics d) proposed waiver to veterinarian for usage of euthanasia drug (T-61) 2. ANIMAL ADOPTION: 2 . 1 Current Practice Five Dollars ($5 . 00) for each dog and no charge for cats . Animals are adopted out as is with no vaccination or check- up by veterinarian. 2 .2 Problems 2 .2 . 1 The Animal Control Officers have been faced with frequent occurrences that animals that were adopted out were subsequently abandoned on road sides . It becomes apparent that the current adoption fee is so low that some new pet owners are adopting animals with no serious intention of keeping the pets knowing that only $5. 00 is at stake. 2 .2 .2 All animals kept in the Animal Control Centre are fed and cared for until adopted out. However, no veterinary services are provided to these animals, most of which are strayed animals whose owners cannot be traced. In the past, there have been frequent outbreaks of disease being spread through the pound. For example, since January of this year, parvo (an infestious potentially fatal canine . . .3 599 08 REPORT NO. : PD-215-90 PAGE 3 disease) has occurred on three (3) separate occasions which resulted the pound being quarantined and twenty- three (23) dogs being destroyed. Parvo has a morbidity rate of up to 70% in puppies unvaccinated within 48 hours and about a 5% rate in vaccinated adult dogs . The spreading of this disease and others is of tremendous concern and should be addressed immediately. 2 .3 Solutions Staff propose that all cats and dogs admitted in the Animal Control Centre be provided with the necessary inoculation. These services will be provided by the local veterinarians during their regular weekly visit to the Centre. To recover the cost of veterinary service, the animal adoption fee will be set at $45. 00 for dogs and $25. 00 for cats . 2 .4 Comments Veterinary care and inoculation provided to animals prior to being adopted out will ensure the new owner will have a healthier animal which is more likely to be kept than being abandoned. The proposed adoption fee is comparable to the fees charged by other municipalities within Durham Region. 3. ANIMAL TRAP RENTAL FEE: 3. 1 Current Practice No charge to the general public to loan animal traps from the Animal Control Centre. 3 .2 Problems Although the general public are usually responsible individuals, there are some who are abusing this free service. . . .4 59 !� ;� REPORT NO. : PD-215-90 PAGE 4 Common occurrences include traps returned damaged or beyond repair, as well as traps being kept for weeks and not returning expediously to be used by others . 3.3 Solution It is suggested that a $35 .00 deposit be required to cover damages and a $2 . 00 daily rental charge be imposed. 4 . AGREEMENT WITH VETERINARY CLINICS 4 . 1 Current Practice The local Veterinary Clinics have been providing veterinary care to animals picked up by the animal Control Officers at no cost to the Town and in return, the Town's Animal Control Officers have disposed dead animals from the clinics free of charge. The said arrangement has been in practice for some years. However, there was never any written agreement or written understanding. 4 .2 Problem Staff believe that business conducted by the Town should not be based on gentleman agreement, and there is an obvious need to have it documented in writing to avoid future argument. 4 . 3 Solution 4 .3. 1 It is proposed that the Veterinary Clinics will be charged by the Town for carcass pickup at the following rates: $ 7 .00 small dog or cat $15 . 00 medium size dog $20 . 00 large size dog $25. 00 giant breed The above rates reflect cost to the Town in disposing the dead animals at the Brock Road Landfill site including tipping fee of $97 .50/ton recently imposed by Metro Toronto. . . .5 5 9, ` (� REPORT NO. : PD-215-90 PAGE 5 4 . 3 .2 Since we will be charging the Vet Clinics for carcass pickup, the Town is expected to pay for veterinary services . In this regard, Bowmanville Vet Clinic and Durham Vet Clinic have agreement, on a rotating basis, to visit the Animal Control Centre once a week and will be reimbursed by the Town at $60 .00 per hour with a minimum charge of $60 . 00 per visit. This charge will cover labour cost for administering euthanasias, vaccinations and medical advice. Any drugs used will be charged to the Town at cost. In addition to the above, the Veterinarian will provide emergency care service to animals as requested by the Animal Control Officers at no cost to the Town. This will be applicable to providing life sustaining treatment to injured animals. The Town Animal Control Officers will ensure that this work is spread evenly among the three (3) local clinics. 4 .4 Comments Staff have met and communicated with the three (3) local vet clinics (Durham Vet Clinic, Bowmanville Vet Clinic, and Courtice Pet Clinic) and it appears they are in general agreement with the proposed arrangement. 5. WAIVER TO VETERINARIAN FOR USAGE OF EUTHANASIA DRUG (T-61) 5 . 1 Current Practice Currently, Durham Veterinary Clinic supplies the Town Animal Control Officer an euthanasia drug known as T-61 to be used to euthanize wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, etc . It should be noted that T-61 can only be purchased by a veterinarian. . . . 6 599 11 REPORT NO. : PD-215-90 PAGE 6 5 .2 Problem Notwithstanding the current practice, the Durham Vet Clinic is concerned that T-61 may be misused and they may be liable for it. As a result, they requested the Town to save harmless the Clinic in providing T-61 to the Town. 5 .3 Solution Staff agree with the vet and has no difficulty in recommending that the Town save harmless the Durham Vet Clinic against any liability arising out of the misuse or loss of the euthanasia drug by the Town's Animal Control Officer. Staff will consult the Town solicitor to have the save harmless clause drawn up to be executed by the Mayor and the Clerk. Respectfully submitted, Recommended for presentation to the Committee Franklin Wu, M.C.I .P. Lawrence . Kotseff DIrector of Planning Chief A istrative and Development Officer FW*jip 12 June 1990 599 �