WESTCOAST NEWS
SPCA to receive $824,000 for providing animal control service in 2005

Surrey Now

December 15, 2004

SURREY - Surrey will pay the SPCA $824,000 for another year of animal control service.

A report from city solicitor Craig MacFarlane offered four options, including the city acting as its own dog catcher or contracting the work to a different provider, but recommended a one-year deal with the SPCA. MacFarlane estimated the 2004 contract with the SPCA at $730,000, which includes a 60 per cent share of pet licence fees sold by the animal protection group.

Under the new agreement, the SPCA will no longer sell licences, that will be done by the city and all of the revenue -- estimated at $485,000 in 2005 -- will go to Surrey.

MacFarlane's report notes most animal control files involve barking-dog complaints. City bylaw officers will make the initial response to such complaints, MacFarlane wrote, leaving SPCA officers free to patrol the city and respond to more serious calls.

"Dog bites person. Do we handle the initial complaint?" asked Coun. Penny Priddy. "Who do they call? Us or the SPCA?" City manager Umendra Mital was unable to answer, but said he would find out.

Mayor Doug McCallum said the city and the SPCA spent months negotiating a contract both could live with.
© The Vancouver Sun 2004