A local kennel owner has been awarded the contract to handle dog control services for the township.
Council approved a staff recommendation to award the contract to Moorefield kennel owner/manager Jennifer Walter, who will take over services from previous contractor Jo-Alan Animal Care Services, which has indicated it is are getting out of the business.
At the Jan. 29 meeting, council deferred a decision on a recommendation to enter a joint agreement for animal control services from the Guelph Humane Society (GHS) with the municipalities of Wellington North, Guelph-Eramosa and Centre Wellington.
At the time, several councillors expressed concerns over costs and service levels.
Under the proposed agreement, Mapleton’s fixed cost would be allocated for the first year on a representative population basis, at approximately $30,300.
The current provider, Jo-Alan, was paid approximately $6,000 in 2015 for a standby fee, and $6,123 for other services. Revenues in 2015 were $16,350 in dog tag fees and kennel licenses and $1,095 in fines.
At the March 8 meeting, CAO Brad McRoberts presented a report indicating two responses had been received to a request for proposals: one from Walter and one from Jim Renwick, who currently provides animal control services in Minto, South Bruce, North Huron and Howick.
“Although likely both vendors are capable of providing the service, the proposal from Jennifer Walter is comprehensive, well presented and includes the required insurance coverages,” McRoberts noted in the report. “The proposal from Jim Renwick would not provide kennel inspections and the kennel facilities would be located in Clifford.”
Using fee schedules provided by the applicants and 2015 call statistics, the proposal from Walter, who has education in small animal training and nutrition, would cost $16,425 in year one (excluding mileage and kennel fees), McRoberts explained.
The Renwick proposal would cost approximately $3,350 in year one (excluding mileage and kennel fees and allowing $2,000 per year for insurance, assuming it could be purchased). The 2016 budget allows $40,000 for this services, “which would be more than adequate for either proposal.”
McRoberts told council the service would continue to be “reactive,” whereas the Guelph Humane Society proposal would have resulted in a “proactive” service.
“This doesn’t mean Ms. Walter is going to be circulating around looking for stray dogs and enforcing poop and scoop regulations,” he pointed out.
“I’m happy with the way this turned out,” said councillor Marlene Ottens. “A local person ends up getting a little extra money and if your dog ends up getting picked up it’s locally in Moorefield. And the cost is much lower,” she added.
