RAPS leashes new deal
Alan Campbell, Richmond News
Published: Friday, December 12, 2008
The society that runs Richmond's animal control service has been awarded a new two-year contract -- at almost double the price.

Richmond Animal Protection Society (RAPS) was the sole bidder for providing the city with an animal shelter operation and partial animal control services for the next two years.

Two years ago RAPS undercut the former contractors, the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, with a bid to carry out the service for $340,000 for two years, significantly less than the SPCA's offer of $579,000.

At city hall's community safety meeting Tuesday, however, RAPS, being the only organization to step up, were handed the two-year contract at a cost of $640,000.

The committee heard from city staff that the SPCA was notified about the city's request for bids.

"(The former contractors) found it difficult to operate to that level of funding," city community bylaw manager Wayne Mercer said of the SPCA.

Mercer added that the extra cash in the new contract is needed to cover the burden of operational expenses incurred by RAPS in providing the service.

It was also noted that there was a high turnover of staff at the RAPS-run shelter at 12071 No. 5 Rd.

"This is a major concern, but I know the management are committed to improving the level of service," Mercer said.

In May of this year, RAPS ran into financial trouble, prompting suggestions that it had become the victim of its own original low bid to win the contract in January, 2007.

"There's no hiding it that it's under-funded. We are struggling," RAPS manager Carol Reichert said in May.

RAPS has since been managing to meet its contractual obligations through donations and fundraisers, having to kick in as much as $10,000 a month to make ends meet.

Reichert admitted their $170,000 per year bid two years ago was a miscalculation, adding there were a number of costs she underestimated, like vet bills.

The SPCA still provides after-hours emergency service in Richmond. If an animal is found abandoned or hurt and the RAPS office is closed, the SPCA still responds.

City staff had also considered the option of assuming all animal control and shelter services, but this would have cost $390,000 per year, compared to RAPS' $340,000.

The RAPS contract cost has already been included in the city's proposed 2009 operating budget.

Committee members' unanimous approval of the contract award is expected to be rubber-stamped by city council later this month.