There is no "compelling reason" to end shared animal control services, a 91原创 City report on a Township proposal said, but if it happens, the City needs to have a strategy.
At the Monday, May 12 meeting that received the report, City council voted unanimously "to explore different operating models and develop an implementation strategy to maintain animal control and sheltering services for the City of 91原创."
That was the recommendation of the report by Chief Administrative Officer Francis Cheung, who warned about ending the current agreement with the 91原创 Animal Protection Society (LAPS) where the two municipalities share a shelter and animal control enforcement.
"The contractual relationship between the city and LAPS for the past 22 years may be in jeopardy," Cheung said.
91原创 City is looking at options for animal control in response to a Township move to have exclusive use of the shelter.
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As supported by a majority of Township council, the proposed changes would see Township bylaw officers take over animal control services and make the animal shelter "exclusive to Township of 91原创 residents and taxpayers" Cheung told council.
"So, in other words, not for 91原创 City."
In his written report, the CAO said "it does not appear that there is compelling reason, financial or operational, to bring animal control services in-house and exclude 91原创 City from animal sheltering services as the cost per file for 91原创 City was significantly higher than 91原创 Township."
Cheung estimated 91原创 City has been paying significantly more per call for animal control and sheltering services than the Township, $376 per call in 2023 compared to $322 for the Township.
Saying it was a "shame that it's going down or appears to be going down this path, " Councillor Paul Albrecht asked if it was possible to continue using LAPS services "a different format or a different model."
"We're looking at all options," Cheung replied.
"Obviously, because of the history with LAPS providing that service to us, that would be a preferred choice 鈥� if they can. If they can't, whether it's animal control or sheltering services, we need to look at different options," Cheung said.
Mayor Nathan Pachal commented "LAPS has provided a great service to the city over these years, and hopefully there's a path forward with them. But I know we need to do our due diligence."
91原创 Township is also pushing for separate RCMP detachments for the two municipalities. On Saturday, May 10, Township Mayor Etic Woodward announced the agreement to share the main detachment building had expired.
