By TERRY PUGH
A one-year agreement has been reached between the City of Martensville and the Paws Republic Boarding Centre to provide a temporary shelter for cats and dogs impounded under the city’s Animal Control Bylaw.
The agreement, which will be reviewed at the end of its term, forms part of an amended Animal Control Bylaw which was passed by Martensville City Council at its meeting on Tuesday, July 16.
Also included in the new bylaw is a three-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the city and the Saskatoon Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
Under the terms of the new bylaw, Paws Republic is contracting with the city to provide shelter to a maximum of five days for impounded animals. The city will pay $50 plus taxes to the kennel for the first day and $35 per night thereafter. The kennel has the right to refuse temporary shelter if it is full or if the animal is suspected of sickness or poses a danger to staff or other animals.
The kennel will provide a description of the animal and the city will in turn, provide a completed form to the kennel providing detailed information on the animal.
The kennel has agreed to publicly advertise indicating any dog or cat that has been brought into its care.
The owner of the animal is responsible for reclaiming the animal. Before the owner can take the animal, they will be required to pay any veterinarian expenses invested in the animal by the City of Martensville. The animal will not be released to the owner till all expenses are paid in full. Failure to pay the expenses will result in the animal being relocated to the Saskatoon SPCA.
The three-year MOU with the Saskatoon SPCA pertains only to animals relinquished by the City of Martensville Bylaw Enforcement officers. Animals impounded at the SPCA will be kept by the SPCA, pending claim by its owner, for 72 hours plus the day of intake. During the period of impoundment, any owner claiming their dog or cat will be required to pay the impoundment fee owed by the City of Martensville. In addition, the owner must pay all municipal, fines and required licensing fees.
Under the terms of the MOU, the SPCA “shall make every attempt to post in a public place a notice indicating any dog or cat that has been brought into the Saskatoon SPCA for impoundment.”
As the City of Martensville has no authority to euthanize ize an animal, the Saskatoon SPCA will be entrusted to make these decisions according to Section 6 (3) of the provincial Animal Protection Act.
The complete bylaw may be found online at the City of Martensville website.
