MINTO – A new three-year contract for animal control services has been approved by town council.
A staff report provided to council on Dec. 19 notes R&R Pet Paradise has provided animal control for the Town of Minto for the past six years.
An initial three-year agreement with the company expired in November of 2020 and since then the services have been provided on a month-to-month basis at the same rate as the initial agreement.
Clerk Annilene McRobb explained the new agreement provides for “minor increases” to the original fees.
Under the new contract, the monthly fee for the service will be increased by $100 per month to $900 or an additional $1,200 per year.
The fee for any animals boarded by the company will increase to $45 per night compared to $25 per night, “keeping in line with the true costs of boarding,” the report states.
The fee for animal pickup will increase to $150, whereas the current agreement includes a charge of $100 during the week and $150 for weekends. Milage will be set at the current rate for Minto employees.
The report points out boarding and pick-up costs are paid for by owners, with the town only paying the costs if an owner is not found. Fee increases have been factored into the 2024 budget, which was approved by council at the same meeting.
Councillor Ron Elliott asked where animals are kept when it’s necessary to board them.
“Our bylaw contains provisions that we must hold the dog for a minimum of three days,” said director of building and planning Terry Kuipers.
“After that, we send it up to a facility up in Owen Sound who adopts the dogs out. We have had instances where they are full and we have to hold on to the dog longer,” resulting in additional cost to the town.
However, Kuipers noted that “overall” current dog licensing fees “cover all of the expenses that owners picking up their dogs don’t incur.”
Kuipers said when a dog is picked up, animal control officer Rick Rauwerda posts messages on social media and town staff are made aware in case an owner calls in.
“He tries his best to get the world out,” before the animal is sent to Owen Sound, Kuipers added.
