WESTCOAST NEWS
Municipality prepares to take over SPCA duty in 2006

Surrey Now

December 11, 2004

SURREY - Surrey is going to ditch the SPCA, according to Coun. Dianne Watts.

Watts said she expects council Monday will approve a plan to have city staff take over dog-catching duties in in 2006.

"That's exactly what we're looking at, doing the animal control portion ourselves," she said.

City solicitor Craig MacFarlane said staff will recommend renewing the SPCA contract to the end of 2005.

In a July 22 report to council, MacFarlane indicated the SPCA was asking for a 35-per-cent increase in its contract, raising its fees to $1 million per year. The current contract pays the SPCA $600,000 annually, plus roughly $125,000 per year as its share of the dog licences it sells.

"Based on cost estimates, the provision of animal services is projected to be less costly than a new SPCA contract," the report said.