http://www.nsnews.com/issues06/w100106/101206/news/101206nn7.html
City asked to cancel SPCA contract
Heidi Castle
THE Pacific Animal Foundation, an animal advocacy group, wants the City of North Vancouver to join with the District of North Vancouver to provide animal welfare services.
Currently the City of North Vancouver has a contract with the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for its animal welfare services.
In a presentation to city council Sept. 25, Lana Simon, director of PAF, told council that the city's current arrangement with the B.C. SPCA is inadequate.
Simon cited several deficiencies her group has noted including:
- poor access to the shelter's East Seventh Avenue facility in the City of Vancouver;
- inconvenience to North Shore residents;
- no direct or advertised contact information for the shelter;
- questionable animal care.
The city's relationship with the B.C. SPCA began Jan. 1, 2002 and was meant to be a temporary solution until a permanent facility could be established, said Simon.
She said it has been five years and the SPCA has done a lousy job.
The arrangement serves neither the city's domestic animal population or its residents well, she said.
The city's SPCA contract is up for renewal Dec. 31. Simon said she wants a combined city and district service in place for Jan. 1, 2007.
According to the PAF information package, the city would incur no capital expenses and share operating costs while providing a local shelter responding to local concerns.
"This combination is a win-win situation," said Simon. "Taxpayers win and clearly the animals win."
Coun. Craig Keating said council needs to know the costs and further details before making a decision.
Council directed city staff to report on the financial obligations a combined service would incur.
published on 10/04/2006