The Tri-City News > News > SPCA cancels its PoCo pound deal
SPCA cancels its PoCo pound deal
By Janis Warren - The Tri-City News - December 07, 2007
The BC SPCA will end its animal control contract with the city of Port Coquitlam six months early because of a decision made earlier this year by the city of Coquitlam.
Yesterday, SPCA spokesperson Lorie Chortyk said the termination of PoCo's contract next June is because Coquitlam city hall told the non-profit organization it would be penalized for noise infractions from its Pipeline Road pound.
The city said it had received a number of complaints about dogs barking at the 40-year-old facility, which is now surrounded by homes.
As a result, the Society for the Prevention Against Cruelty to Animals stopped accommodating impounded dogs as it said it had no choice because the city threatened injunctions against its operations.
In August, the SPCA sent letters to the villages of Anmore and Belcarra giving notice it would end its municipal contracts with them in 60 days due to Coquitlam's action.
The next month, Anmore started negotiations with Coquitlam, which runs its own animal shelter on Mariner Way. Port Moody has had an animal control contract with Coquitlam since 2002.
Chortyk said the SPCA tried to maintain PoCo services by accommodating its impounded dogs at local kennels and veterinary clinics but, when that didn't work, the pooches were transferred to the SPCA's Maple Ridge pound. Maple Ridge didn't approve.
"The BC SPCA, therefore, finds itself in a difficult situation," SPCA general manager Bob Busch wrote in a letter to PoCo dated Nov. 10. "We value the long-term relationship that we have enjoyed with the city of Port Coquitlam but are unable to house dogs impounded under our contract."
PoCo's contract was due to end Dec. 31, 2008.
During a city committee meeting Thursday, Dan Scoones, PoCo's bylaw manager, said city staff will present options in January about how to proceed. Some options include hiring another city - such as Coquitlam - to take on the animal control responsibilities, recruiting a private agency or doing the work internally.
Richard Wells, PoCo's acting corporate manager, said there's also the possibility of parcelling out the contract to different groups to provide efficiencies.