Dog licensing costs continue to rise here as the municipality moves towards full user pay of animal control services.
In 2015, Centre Wellington was advised by its then local animal control company that they would be discontinuing their services.
In 2016, council made the decision to take a user pay approach toward animal control in Centre Wellington.
During 2016 budget deliberations, council supported a partnership with the Guelph Humane Society to deliver animal control and shelter services.
On June 27, 2016, Centre Wellington and Guelph-Eramosa partnered to retain the services of the Guelph Humane Society for animal control and shelter services.
Costs are associated with an improved service, which is linked to the increase in 2017 dog tags.
Animal Control Budget
Centre Wellington’s council’s direction was to establish a program that was revenue neutral.
With the expanded services offered by the Guelph Humane Society, there is a cost increase associated with this. In order to remain revenue neutral and take a user pay approach, the cost of dog tags has been increased.
The estimated 2017 operating budget is $120,100 for the GHS services. Stray/wild animal control is a very minor component (approximately $2,000 to $3,000) of the budget which is not being covered by dog tag revenue.
Dog tag fees are anticipated to provide $91,750 of revenue.
Council’s decision last year to increase the price of dog tags was to try and cover more of the program costs.
The choice was to move closer to user-pay, or have the service continue to be subsidized by taxpayers.
Revenues from dog tags goes directly to cover the cost of the animal control program.
Residents who have purchased in February of 2017 have until April 30, 2018 before the costs go up to renew their dog tags.
