By MPP Bobbi Ann Brady
Things are far from purr-fect when it comes to animal control in the area.
In Ontario, animal welfare services falls under the Ministry of the Solicitor General, which is responsible for enforcing the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act. The chief animal welfare inspector and provincial animal welfare inspectors, including inspectors with specialized expertise in livestock, zoos, aquariums, and equines, provide enforcement across Ontario. They carry out inspections, respond to concerns, conduct investigations, as well as provide outreach and education on animal care best practices. However, the provincial government does not rescue cats and over the past few years, it’s been a struggle to keep up with the large number of abandoned cats being taken to shelter on a daily basis.
In Norfolk, Purrfect Companions on Brantford Road in Delhi, has been overwhelmed with cats with 243 currently at the shelter and another 328 spread across 62 foster homes. While I was at the shelter for a tour last week, Brenda Cameron, founder/president/volunteer with the non-profit shelter, which operates largely with generous donations from the community, told me she might be interrupted a few times to speak with veterinarians as she had 18 cats receiving some sort of care that morning.
To give you an idea of the struggle, Cameron said in the month of August, 93 cats arrived at the shelter but only 42 were adopted – cats are essentially coming in faster than they are going out. There are a few factors contributing to the mass numbers, which include a lack of animal control in Norfolk County, increased veterinarian costs pet owners simply cannot afford.
Over $200,000 leaves Norfolk County each year for veterinarian services conducted by low-cost clinics like East Village Animal Hospital. Cameron said that a low-cost clinic would be welcome news in the area, as well as animal control.
In terms of Norfolk County animal control, currently Hillside Kennels Animal Control of Innerkip handles many important functions as listed on the Norfolk County website: “Pick up a dog or cat that has bitten or scratched a person. Hillside Kennels will pick up the animal and notify and bill the Health Unit directly. Domestic animals will be picked up and quarantined for 10 days. Wildlife will be euthanized.”
Hillside Kennels will also pick up stray, abandoned, injured, sick, or aggressive dogs and they mention getting those left in a home due to the death of the owner. They will not pick up stray cats or wild animals found on private property.
Haldimand County contracts out to the Niagara SPCA and the Humane Society in Welland who provide county-wide animal control services. I like how Haldimand County’s website puts it: “Haldimand County Animal Control Services help to ensure that residents with and without pets may enjoy municipal amenities and a high standard of quality of life. The health and safety of all our animals contributes to the health, well-being and liveability of our County.”
I love our furry friends and have my own at home. But we should make sure we do our best to keep the number of feral cats roaming our area as low as possible. Feral or free-ranging cats are great hunters and can negatively impact native wildlife including birds. They generally don’t trust people and can be aggressive.
I scanned across Ontario and noticed that municipalities of varying population sizes and geography have “in-house” animal control services. The services provided also vary but most provide comprehensive services. Collectively we need to come up with a way to bring the solutions closer to home.
Bobbi Ann Brady is the MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk