Skip to content

City formally takes over animal control duties

New shelter located in Wahnapitae
261016_cat_cage
Effective immediately, Greater Sudbury is taking over responsibility to enforce the local animal control bylaw and is operating a shelter for dogs and cats found roaming in the city. File photo.

Effective immediately, Greater Sudbury is taking over responsibility to enforce the local animal control bylaw and is operating a shelter for dogs and cats found roaming in the city.

In a news release Wednesday, the city said it “has adopted the principles of responsible pet ownership for the well-being and safety of residents and animals in our community.”

“We are pleased to announce the City of Greater Sudbury is ready to provide animal control services for local residents,” city clerk Caroline Hallsworth is quoted as saying in the news release. 

“While the contract with our current service provider does not expire until Oct. 31, it is in the best interest of animals in the care of both shelters to transition to municipal services immediately.”

Animal control has become a contentious issue in the city since 2014, when a review of services recommended several changes. That led to an increase in Rainbow District Shelter's bid from $443,000 to $600,000 a year. Rainbow has had the contract since 2000.

Another RFP process earlier this year led to two new bids, one from Pet Save Animal Services for $255,000, the other from Rainbow District for $825,000. 

The Pet Save bid failed to meet the city's requirements, and the Rainbow bid was deemed too expensive. A July staff report said the cost of using city staff for animal control would be about $675,000 a year, plus $400,000 to $600,000 for building renovations and another $100,000 to buy equipment.

The capital costs would be drawn from the tax rate stabilization capital reserve fund.

As of Oct. 24, all lost or homeless dogs and cats found in city will remain at the Rainbow District Animal Shelter. Under provincial legislation, an animal must remain in the care of a shelter for a minimum of three days, not counting the day of admission, before an assessment is made for suitability for adoption. 

Rainbow District Animal Shelter will remain responsible for adoption or fostering of dogs and cats in their care.

“Moving up the date for opening the Greater Sudbury Animal Shelter and enforcement of the municipal bylaw will allow animals currently in the care of Rainbow District to remain in one place before they are adopted or fostered,” Hallsworth said in the release. 

“Ultimately, this plan is less stressful for the animal and the well-being of these dogs and cats is the primary concern of both Rainbow District and Greater Sudbury animal shelters.”

From now on, Greater Sudbury animal control officers will bring roaming or abandoned dogs and cats found locally to the city shelter, located at 39 Kari Rd. in Wahnapitae. 

Shelter hours are Mondays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Residents who have lost or found a pet can call 705-694-PETS (7387) during business hours or 311 after hours. Lost and found pet pages are also available on the City of Greater Sudbury website at www.greatersudbury.ca/animals

Greater Sudbury bylaw compliance and enforcement officers will work longer hours to followup on complaints about potential infractions of the municipal animal control by-law.

Residents may dial 311 seven days a week to register a question or complaint. An emergency line to report injured or potentially dangerous dogs and cats roaming at large is also available seven days a week by dialing 311.

Details about pet ownership and control of dogs and cats in the City of Greater Sudbury are available online at www.greatersudbury.ca/animals. Residents who do not have access to a personal computer may visit their nearest Greater Sudbury Public Library for help.


Comments

Verified reader

If you would like to apply to become a verified commenter, please fill out this form.