http://www.canada.com/deltaoptimist/news/story.html?id=13172211-fec8-4d8a-8f9b-a029a338ecd3&k=48000

Humane society, Delta at odds over equipment value

Sandor Gyarmati
Delta Optimist

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Sarah Lowe of the Delta animal shelter feeds one of the cats that has been relocated to a trailer on the side of the property. The relocation is one of the small changes that has taken place since the shelter was taken over by the Corporation of Delta.
CREDIT: Photo by Brett Beadle
Sarah Lowe of the Delta animal shelter feeds one of the cats that has been relocated to a trailer on the side of the property. The relocation is one of the small changes that has taken place since the shelter was taken over by the Corporation of Delta.

The Delta Humane Society says it wasn't about to give away what its volunteers worked so hard to raise money for at the local animal shelter.

As of Jan. 1, the society ceased operating the shelter on Ladner's 80th Street, making the move after it couldn't reach a deal with the municipality on a new contract. Delta assumed control of the shelter, now renamed the Delta Community Animal Shelter, and the animal control contract. Prior to Delta assuming control last month, both sides tried to work out a deal on equipment at the shelter, including cat cages the society had purchased after it took over the animal control contract from the SPCA in 2005.

However, there was a big difference in opinion on what the equipment was worth, said Juliet Correia, president of the humane society's volunteer board of directors.

"We had wanted them to take over two van leases that we no longer needed and they offered to take over the leases in return for everything at the shelter. We declined, of course," said Correia.

Delta then came back with an offer to take over the van leases without the condition of getting all the equipment for free, explained Correia, but a subsequent offer of just $4,000 for the cat cages was at least $2,000 short of what the society wanted.

If it purchased the cat cages, Delta also wanted, at no charge, the society's "intellectual property," including policies, procedures, manuals and forms, which the society valued at $4,000, said Correia.

"In the end, we decided to keep all that and the cat cages and once we finalized our role, if we don't have a need for cat cages, we would rather give them to another organization," she said.

The society stated on its website that it made it clear to Delta it would only remove its equipment once Delta's equipment had arrived, but the municipality informed the society to remove everything by Jan. 1. The cat cages, which are now in storage at a local barn, said Correia, could end up at Forgotten Felines, an independent Delta animal rescue organization and registered charity. That organization houses cats and has a 100 per cent no-kill policy, even if a cat is considered not adoptable.

Rather than let the municipality even keep the cat food, the humane society has already donated that to Forgotten Felines. Saying the value of all items at the shelter was in the $50,000 range, Correia noted some of the computer equipment has already been offered to other animal rescue organizations. She added items donated for specific animals, however, remained at the shelter for those animals, while other necessary items, such as bedding, medication and leashes, were also left behind.

Municipal finance director Karl Preuss said Delta has purchased new cat cages and many other items, such as dog collars, bowls, and a washer and dryer. Delta spent just over $18,000 on the inventory for the office, which will also be reconfigured, he said. Noting many items that were offered for sale were worn out, Pruess said it was decided Delta could purchase new items for the price offered for much of the older merchandise. As far as the future of the Delta Humane Society, Correia said the society's board was to meet this week to discuss the group's direction.

The society rejected Delta's animal control contract offer in December, saying it needed more than what was being proposed to care for an increasing number of pets.

At the time, Preuss said Delta determined it could provide the service for the budget proposed, so it decided to take over the shelter.