Motion - Animal Policy proposals
“that staff investigate other jurisdictions in order to:
*craft a spay and neuter bylaw for all dogs and cats in the city”
Discussion: although well intentioned, a spay and neuter bylaw is nearly impossible to enforce, and does little to stem the tide of unsterilized animals. Experience of shelters worldwide indicate that only public education combined with free and/or low cost spay and neuter services cause a decrease in the number of homeless animals in shelters. All of the groups and municipalities contacted, with the exception of the City of Edmonton, see Appendix A, stated that in their experience this was the case. Edmonton also has the distinction of having the highest kill rate and the greatest number of homeless animals per capita of any of the jurisdictions consulted. They also have no spay and neuter program, although they have had a spay and neuter bylaw since 2000. Clearly spay and neuter bylaws are ineffective in decreasing animal populations and reducing shelter killings.
Comment: if council is interested in reducing the population of homeless animals, they should institute a public education campaign and fund spay neuter services for those who request them. Every dollar spent on spay and neuter services will result in a $7 reduction in the cost of animal control. Spay and neuter services should be provided for rabbits as well since many municipalities are experiencing a boom in the population of domestic rabbits abandoned outside. The experience of Vancouver and Calgary is that people are much more likely to be willing to pay license fees if they know the money is going directly to help needy animals. Although there is an initial outlay of funds for spay and neuter services, by the law of diminishing returns the cost of animal control services will also be reduced due to the smaller animal population they must service. This has been the experience in many municipalities where aggressive spay and neuter campaigns have helped many animals and the communities they live in.
“*Formally adopt a no-kill policy unless the animal is terminally ill, deemed vicious by independent assessment or severely injured as determined by a veterinarian”
Discussion: In general a no-kill policy is an excellent idea, however it must be truly no-kill. For example any animal deemed vicious should not be killed unless a court order has been obtained for his or her destruction in which case the City has no choice but to kill the animal. The current Animal Control Bylaw 7037 makes it easier to kill certain “breeds” of dogs, thus requiring an amendment of the bylaw should this policy go ahead. It is now considered discriminatory to judge an animal based on their breed rather than on their temperament (similar to human racial profiling). Also in the bylaw is the provision for the City to euthanize pets of residents upon request. This does not have the component of veterinary recommendation and the animal would be stressed by such handling by strangers at the end of his or her life. This part of the bylaw must also be rescinded should the no-kill policy go ahead.
In the case of abused and neglected animals there are a number of dog trainers who are willing to rehabilitate negatively socialized animals. The City should make all efforts to rehabilitate animals both socially and physically from the harm done to them by people. The proposed no-kill policy states that an animal can be killed if “deemed vicious by independent assessment ” . Any person can provide an "independent assessment" and it is a matter of opinion as to who is genuinely qualified to do this job.
If the city is to adopt a no-kill policy as stated above, they must ensure that all shelters/groups/individuals they transfer animals to also have the same policy, otherwise the city is killing animals by proxy. If an animal is "severely injured" as determined by a veterinarian, they may also be able to be saved if provided veterinary care. I would suggest changing the wording to something else which indicates that the animal cannot be saved by a veterinarian. In order to ensure the City's policy is being respected, and to assess the care of animals by third parties, the City should follow up on all transfers to other shelters and organizations. Furthermore the City should be aware that as with the City, the institutions the City transfers animals to may change their policies from time to time regarding species of animals they care for. City staff need to keep abreast of such changes by creating a memorandum of understanding with each group which acknowledges the City's no- kill policy and allows the City to be informed in advance of any policy or practice changes which could effect this.
Most importantly, except in the case where urgent humane euthanasia is required as recommended by a veterinarian, an advisory committee should meet to consider every case of humane euthanasia. There must be transparency in all shelter activities, otherwise citizens will not trust and/or support the shelter.
“*Require that all cats have identification tags or tattoos to facilitate the control of stray and feral cats;”
Discussion: cat identification can also include other methods such as microchips and the evolving technology of internet based pet-finding. It is always a good idea for a cat or other companion animal to have as many forms of ID as possible to facilitate their safe return to their caregiver should they become lost. However this kind of bylaw has historically been used to facilitate the rounding up of and destruction of tame and feral homeless cats. If council wishes to go ahead with this proposal, it is essential to put in a clause protecting homeless animals from this kind of treatment. Just because an animal is homeless does not mean its life has less value than a lucky animal in a good home. In fact, society, and this council in particular, must strive to protect these animals from harm because their fate is a result of human neglect. They are not to blame for roaming the streets, being unneutered, and producing unwanted litters of kittens, we are. Encouraging cat owners to use as many forms of ID as possible can be achieved by education programs, and ensuring that all animals receive a tattoo and microchip while being spayed or neutered.
“*Begin a volunteer program at the City Animal Shelter to help with such needs as walking dogs and the care of cats if this is deemed necessary by the City's animal control staff.”
Discussion: The City must provide for the welfare of any animals in its care. This care should be based on a "best practices" model as opposed to the current situation. Animals such as dogs, cats, and domestic rabbits should have frequent social attentions of humans, including grooming, playing and outside exercise, and dog walking outside of the shelter facility. Leaving animals in their kennels or cages day in day out causes depression, frustration, poor health, and negative behaviors. Regular social interaction improves mood, health, and adoptability for domestic animals. Staff should be aware of the different needs of each species, be they a domestic or exotic pet and provide the highest level of care possible. This may include taking the animals to the veterinarian to ensure good health, providing parasite treatment, vaccines, and spay and neuter services. For this reason it is of utmost urgency that council immediately establish a veterinary fund. Otherwise animals will not be cared for in a humane and timely fashion. In addition, the City will be acting in violation of its own Animal Control Bylaw 7037 which states: “7037-600.4 – No person shall keep any animal unless the animal is provided with immediate veterinary medical care when the animal exhibits signs of pain or suffering.”
Wildlife should be transferred as quickly as possible to the appropriate shelter. The wildlife centers must be aware that staff are bringing an animal, and the animal must be delivered when there is someone on hand to take them in. City staff should be aware of what to do and what not to do with wildlife while the transfer is being effected. The Wildlife Rehabilitators Network of BC has kindly offered to train staff in wildlife handling transportation and care. This is another instance where the city may need to develop a roster of volunteer drivers to deliver wildlife to the rehabilitators. It is unlikely that the wildlife centers will be able to provide transit in many cases.
Overall the Animal Control Shelter needs a dedicated Director who is committed to the care of shelter animals and all other animals in the jurisdiction. Behind each successful animal shelter is an individual who has worked with the community, the local veterinarians, local animal rescue groups, and local politicians. This individual will provide positive leadership to the ongoing operations and programs at their shelter. He or she will do the homework necessary to bring best practices to the animal shelter, and be open to ideas and assistance from the local populous. This person will be proud to show the shelter to all comers, and work hard to promote public education, accessible spay and neuter services, and innovative adoption techniques. I strongly urge council to open the locked doors of our shelter to the citizens of New Westminster, and embrace the changes which have been a long time coming. Let the sun shine in!
Roslyn Cassells
Groups consulted re: wildlife rehabilitation
Wildlife Rehabilitators' Network of BC - Liz Thunstrom - 604-939-9571
Elizabeth's Wildlife Shelter - Elizabeth Melnick - Abbotsford - 1-604-852-9173
Critter Care - Langley - 604-530-2064
OWL - Delta - Bev Day - 604-946-3171
Wildlife Rescue - Burnaby - 604-526-7275
Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Association - Vancouver - 604-258-7325
Night Owl Bird Hospital - Dr. Anne Macdonald 604-734-5100
Gibson’s Wildlife Rehabilitation – Clint and Irene Davy 1-604-886-4989
Groups consulted re: bylaws and cat, dog, rabbit, and exotic animal rescue
(Non-native) Reptile Rescue and Adoption - Val - 604-271-8995
Animal Advocates - Judy Stone - 604-922-1813
North Shore Rabbit Rescue - Carmina - 604-924-3192
West Coast Spay and Neuter Society - 604-826-7101
Vancouver Humane Society 604-266-9744
Animal Rights Coalition - Donna Liberson - 604-339-3424
Vancouver Animal Shelter 604-871-6888
District of North Vancouver Animal Welfare Shelter 604-990-3711
Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Lynwood, WA 425-787-2500
City of Edmonton Animal Control Manager Stefan Exner 780-496-6748
City of Calgary Director Animal/Bylaw Services Bill Bruce 403-268-5811