91原创 Township council a review to animal control services within the municipality, including 91原创 Animal Protection Society (LAPS) being "exclusive to Township of 91原创 residents."
Council voted 6-3 in favour to direct staff to consult with LAPS on changes of its services to the Township, improved service levels for residents with deceased, lost, or stray pets, animal control enforcement to and expansion of its spay/neuter program the society foresees in the next 10 to 15 years at the Monday meeting, Sept. 23.
The motion, from Mayor Eric Woodward, calls for a report on possible increases in service levels given the Township's predicted population growth within the next decade.
Immediately the motion drew criticism from Coun. Kim Ritcher, who expressed concern with the wording 'exclusive to the Township of 91原创' and that it could cut LAPS services from 91原创 City.
"At minimum, I think this motion should be deferred for discussion with LAPS out of respect for the work they have done over the years int his community... I'm tired of this council hitting over municipalities," Ritcher said.
"Animals don't know boundaries."
Coun. Maragret Kunst echoed Ritcher's comments, adding that the motion is not "in the best interest of the residents of either municipality."
"The report will not include the City of 91原创. Let's be clear, this is not really about LAPS. This is about another way of isolating the City of 91原创. Include the City of 91原创."
Woodward disagreed that the motion isolates the City or other municipalities from LAPS services, and reiterated the motion only requests a report from staff on LAPS future needs.
"This is looking at potentially supporting [LAPS] in a different way or evolving services in a different way to serve residents better," he said.
He added that Township taxpayers want the City to pay its fair share of the service.
Coun. Barb Martens also did not support the motion, calling it "a staff report with prescribed outcomes."
"I don't understand why we're getting into what municipality and what we're willing to do, and for that reason I really don't appreciate the spirit of this motion at all. I would have been open to it if it had been open-ended [to] explore and have conversations... respecting who the experts are in this community."
Ritcher wanted to defer the motion to a later meeting until LAPS could be consulted with about Woodward's motion, but it failed to pass.
Coun. Tim Bailie said it was important to find out if LAPS is "over serviced" and that he also wants to ensure "residents of the Township of 91原创 get what they pay their taxes for."
Coun. Steve Ferguson voted in favour of the motion as well, adding that he believes LAPS does need to expand.
For now, Coun. Michael Pratt agreed with the motion to support reports by staff and have further consultation with LAPS, but suggested he may not support the motion at a "future stage."
The report will be presented to council at a future meeting.
In response to the council's vote, LAPS released an open letter sharing its comments on each point discussed at the council meeting.
"LAPS would continue to provide sheltering services specifically for Township of 91原创 residents and taxpayers. Our facility, the Patti Dale Animal Shelter, would serve only Township animals," reads the letter.
"Animals that we have supported from other areas, including the City of 91原创, would require that a separate location be sourced and funding would have to be secured."
The letter also addresses the points of Township bylaw officers handling animal control enforcement, funding for its spay/neuter program, upgrades to the Patti Dale shelter, and improved services for deceased or lost pets.
"We do believe that LAPS can provide the solutions and continue to grow with the needs of the community as we have done for the last 21 years," the letter concludes.
"Our vision 鈥� thriving animals, caring people 鈥� extends to all animals, regardless of boundaries."
In , LAPS formed a contract with both the City and Township to provide animal control services and operate the animal control shelter.
LAPS is a registered non-profit charitable organization located on 56 Avenue just south of Highway 1 in the 91原创 Township.
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