The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCLD-002-16 Clarington Clerk's Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: General Government Committee Date of Meeting: January 4, 2016 Report Number: CLD-002-16 Resolution: GG- Uas�l(P File Number: By-law Number: Report Subject: Feral Cat Trap Neuter Return Recommendations: 1. That Report CLD-002-16 be received; 2. That Council approve a Trap Neuter Release (TNR) program in principle; 3. That the Animal Services Manager and Shelter Staff be authorized to work with TNR interest groups and utilize established working group's findings to establish a TNR program that is suitable to all of Clarington's Residents; and 4. That all interested parties listed in Report CLD-002-16, and any delegations, be advised of Council's decision. Municipality of Clarington Report CLD-002-16 Page 2 Report Overview This report is intended to provide background and information on how the Municipality can better assist with Trap Neuter Return (TNR) interest groups. 1 . Background At the October 26, 2015 Council meeting, Council approved Resolution #GG-068-15 referring correspondence from various groups, regarding feral cats and Trap Neuter Return programs to Staff. The Clarington Animal Shelter operates on a limited admission basis. Limited admission facilities admit cats as space is available. Operating in this manner assists in not exceeding our capacity for care. In addition, Animal Services does not actively seek and trap stray or feral cats. (See Appendix 1: Statistics). Animal Services staff educate residents regarding stray and feral cats by providing them with information about feral cats and how to deter them. Staff believe the chances of an owned cat returning to an owner is much higher when not brought into a shelter. This is also apparent in shelter surveys Canada wide. Residents who wish to have a nuisance stray or feral cat brought into the shelter are placed on a list and contacted when space is available; each scenario is handled on a case by case basis. Animals that are sick or injured are given priority and space is always made. Staff are knowledgeable and are continuously working with other groups or agencies for the betterment of the animals. All staff are members of The Association for Animals and Shelter Administrators of Ontario (AASAO) and receive the latest developments and protocols for TNR and Shelter Standards of Care to ensure the Clarington Animal Shelter is offering the best service possible. In 2013, the Responsible Pet Owners By-law 2013-024 was passed by Clarington Council. The By-law states that no cats may be permitted at large. Currently there is no distinction between feral cats and cats kept as pets. The Clarington Animal Advisory Committee was discontinued arising out of Report CLD-029-10, as its mandate had been fulfilled. One of the key commitments from CLD-029-10 flowing from that Committee, was that staff continue to seek input from members of the public and industry experts when contemplating major policy changes, innovative initiatives or service level changes. 2. Discussion Currently the Municipality of Clarington's By-laws and provincial legislation restrict how the Municipality may be involved with feral cat programs. Direct funding of TNR projects at this time would also be in conflict with the current By-law prohibiting cats at large. The Municipality of Clarington is unique due to its rural and residential settings and may require further discussion when addressing feral cats. Currently there are distinctions in the Municipality's by-laws which differentiate rural and residential and the number of pets permitted. Municipality of Clarington Report CL®-002-16 Page 3 It is widely documented throughout North America that TNR programs assist with the decline in shelter intake and euthanasia rates. These findings are primarily related to the fact that policies are revamped and a new alternative (TNR) is available. Many common complaints relating to cats are: pregnant cats, kittens, males spraying and aggressive males which are commonly associated with intact or male/female unowned cats. One of the barriers currently restricting TNR programs within Clarington is the Responsible Pet Owners By-law 2013-024. Amending the current By-law would require working with common interest groups to find suitable practices that are in the interest of residents and animal welfare advocates. Although Clarington's intake of feral cats is relatively low, the reduction of complaints and the ability to direct residents to another program that is in the interest of animal welfare may benefit the shelter greatly. Funding may be available through PetSmart Charities or other community based grants to assist with the costs associated with spay/neuter programs. Registration of feral cat colonies may be addressed in by-laws. The Municipality's role in the registration would be administrative, while keeping in mind local residents' concerns or acceptance. With current provincial legislation, a Municipality's ability to fully operate a TNR program is hindered. Legislation sets out what may be done with any animals that are impounded in the Municipality's shelter (adopted, returned to owner or transferred to education facility). Common interest groups for TNR programs are not governed by these same regulations. Therefore, by utilizing common interest groups for TNR programs these barriers are removed. The spaying and neutering of all adopted pets is currently being addressed in a new bid for veterinarian services. Adult cats are currently spayed/neutered, while all other animals are vaccinated and microchipped prior to adoption. Any adjustment of the spaying/neutering of animals would have to be addressed in set fees for adoptions in the Responsible Pet Owners By-law 2013-024. The goals of the common interest groups and TNR programs are to reduce shelter intake, euthanasia numbers and to provide additional humane alternatives. Staff concur with these goals. 3. Concurrence Not Applicable Municipality of Clarington Report CLD-002-16 Page 4 4. Conclusion Utilizing TNR or spay/neuter programs should assist in the reduction of animal intake for the Municipality's Animal Shelter. Working with local interest groups to improve animal care and decrease euthanasia rates of feral cats is an improvement for animal welfare and shelter operations. As such it is respectfully recommended that Council approve a TNR program in principle and authorize staff to work with common interest groups to develop a TNR program for Clarington. 5. Strategic Plan Application The recommendations contained in this report conform to the Strategic Plan. SubmittedPo ' by. � � Reviewed b a� :Anne Greentre� Franklin Wu, Municipal Clerk Chief Administrative Officer Staff Contact: Anne Greentree, Municipal Clerk, 905-623-3379 ext. 2102 or agreentree@clarington.net Attachments: Attachment 1 — Statistics List of interested parties to be notified of Council's decision; Denise Harkins, Action Volunteers for Animals M.J. Galaski, Animal Rescue Krew Cathy Asling and Denise Dove, The Animal Guardian Society Sharon Carrs, Cat Town Rescue Martin Field, PAWS-4 Durham CAG/da Attachment 1 to Municipality of Clarington Report CLD-002-16 Appendix 1: Statistics NOTE: Percentages are based on a calculation which includes "cats in shelter at beginning of the year" and "cats in shelter at the end of the year". Therefore, totals for the percentages will vary slightly. Canadian Statistic 2012 CFHS Cats Returned to Owner\ 1% Euthanized 55% Adopted 43% The Clarington Animal Shelter statistics are as follows: Cats 2013 Cats 2014 Cats 2015 Return To Owner Return To Owner Return To Owner 4.8% 2.9% 7.3% Euthanized Euthanized Euthanized 18.7% 12.6% 10.5% Adopted Adopted Adopted 44% 89.8% 73% Reasons for euthanasia for Clarington's cats: 2015: 8 Feral, 7 Behavioral 2014: 2 Feral, 5 Behavioral 2013: 5 Feral, 6 Behavioral