TAMRMS#: B06
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Stray Cats
Presented by: Aaron Giesbrecht, Manager of Policing Services, Emergency Services Department
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
recommendation
That Administration increase responsible cat ownership education and awareness by the end of March 2020, as listed in service option 1 in the report titled "Cat Service and Regulation Options", provided as an attachment to the June 17, 2019 agenda report entitled "Stray Cats".
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
To provide Council with information as it relates to increasing animal control service levels within Municipal Enforcement, with specifically options related to adding the regulation of cats to Animal Bylaw 11/2013, in accordance with the direction council gave to Administration in November 2017.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
N/A
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
N/A
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
On November 20, 2017 Council passed the following motion:
(CM-17-102)
That administration by Q2 2019, provide an updated report to Council on any recommended bylaw amendments with estimated financial impacts related to adding cats to the animal bylaw, including options of both with and without restrictions on private property.
The report shall include the results of a statistically significant survey and an on-line community input survey on potential changes of adding cats to the bylaw, and that up to $20,000 be funded from the Stabilization Reserve to cover the costs to complete this.
On February 5, 2018, by Motion CM-18-017, Council rescinded the following portion of motion CM-17-102:
That the report shall include the results of a statistically significant survey and an online community input survey on potential changes of adding cats to the bylaw, and that up to $20,000 be funded from the stabilization reserve to cover the costs to complete this.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Detailed background and discussion on this matter has been provided in the attached report titled Cat Service and Regulations Options. This report provides information on:
- the current cat related services being provided today,
- what some other municipalities have in place for cat regulations,
- service options with the corresponding high level operational, financial estimates and the likelihood of success, and
- other general considerations and factors.
After consideration of the material that has been compiled, Administration is recommending increasing responsible cat ownership education and awareness through social media. Although this recommendation has a low likelihood of success on addressing all residents’ concerns related to roaming cats, it can be done without a corresponding increase to expenses/taxes.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
As per direction by Council, Administration has not done any stakeholder engagement or communications on cat regulations for this report. Having said that, the last time this matter was reviewed at Council was in 2012. At that time, a non-statistically representative public opinion web survey was completed with approximately 800 participants. The survey data in 2012 concluded that the majority of respondents (approximately 70%) supported the prohibition of cats from roaming on private property if it could be done without an increase to City spending. The survey data also concluded that respondents were split 50/50 if a new Cat Bylaw meant an increase in spending.
Council debated the regulations in 2012 and ultimately choose not to increase service levels in this area due to the corresponding increase in spending/taxes and the survey data showing a 50/50 split in public opinion.
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
None at this time. High level financial estimates have been included in the service options listed in attachment 1.
Legal / Risk:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
None at this time. High level operational impacts have been included in the service options listed in attachment 1.
Organizational:
None at this time. High level operational impacts have been included in the service options listed in attachment 1.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
If Council does not wish to support the recommendation, the following alternatives could be considered:
Alternative 1.
That the report titled Cat Service and Regulation Options, provided as an attachment to the June 17, 2019 agenda report entitled Stray Cats, be received as information.
Should Council choose this option, Administration would consider the matter closed and not do any further work in this area.
Alternative 2.
That City Administration draft and bring back to GPFC, appropriate amendments to the Animal Bylaw by the end of March 2020, that would require cats to be licensed and prohibit them from roaming on private property as listed in service option 3 in the report titled Cat Service and Regulation Options, provided as attachment 1 to the Stray Cat Agenda Report on June 17, 2019.
Should Council choose this alternative, Administration would first bring amendments to GPFC and Council and if the regulations pass, would recommend a future regulation start date that would allow Administration time to implement the new service including but not limited to staffing, equipment purchases, shelter accommodations, software changes and public education material.
Report Date: June 24, 2019
Author: Aaron Griesbrecht
Department: Emergency Services Department
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble