Animal care in Sudbury open for public input

Aninmal shelters in Subury will get a public examination, thanks to a new survey on the city's services that pertain to animal and pet care.

The City of Greater Sudbury encourages public participation in an independent review of local Animal Control and Shelter Services. Citizens are invited to complete an online survey at www.greatersudbury.ca/pets or on paper at any Greater Sudbury Public Library, from Sept. 10 to Sept. 20.

An open house will follow at Tom Davies Square on Wednesday, September 23. Citizens are invited to attend anytime between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to speak with municipal staff and independent consultants.

An open meeting, highlighting preliminary findings of the public survey and an exchange of ideas, begins at 7 p.m.

“A community survey conducted by the city almost two years ago generated a great deal of discussion about the best way to deliver animal control and shelter services,” said Caroline Hallsworth, Executive Director of Administrative Services in a news release.

“With so many points of view, Council requested an independent review by a professional consultant to build on these findings so that a final recommendation can be achieved before a new tender for animal control services is issued next year.”
Matrix Consulting Group has been awarded a request for proposal issued by the City of Greater Sudbury for a consultant to conduct an independent review of animal control and shelter services.

The $69,000 contract includes: citywide consultation, a detailed analysis of current service levels and both past and present public opinion, an evaluation of the financial impact of alternative approaches to animal control, and final recommendations for service delivery, staffing and implementation.

The company was one of only two submissions to the city’s request for proposal. Points were awarded to Matrix Consulting Group for applied experience specific to the management, staffing and operations of municipal government, for prior animal services studies of a complex nature, and for the extensive scope of their proposal to apply cost-effective solutions within the city’s existing operational framework.

It is expected that a final report to Greater Sudbury Council with options for the delivery of animal control and shelter services will be presented early in 2016.

Previous Council approved a two year extension of a contract with Rainbow District Animal Control and Shelter Services in September, 2014. The contract has a current annual budget of $599,999 and expires on October 31, 2016.