TAMRMS#: B09
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Cat Licensing and Roaming Prohibition Information
Presented by: Aaron Giesbrecht, Manager, Policing Services
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
recommendation
1. That the Community Living Standing Committee recommend that Council receives the March 9, 2020 report titled Cat Licensing and Roaming Prohibition Information as information.
2. That the Community Living Standing Committee recommend to Council that Administration take no further action at this time related to increasing service levels related to the enactment of new cat legislation but continue with the status quo services provided to residents related to lost and found cats, responsible cat ownership education and the enforcement of the Animal Protection Act, including but not limited to the acceptance and seizure of cats found to be in distress.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
The purpose of this report is to provide the Community Living Standing Committee with further information related to potential new cat regulations that would require cats to be licensed and prohibited from roaming loose on private property.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITY
N/A
ALIGNMENT TO SERVICE DELIVERY
N/A
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL (OR COMMITTEE) DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
On June 24, 2019 Council passed the following motions:
(AR-19-171)
1. That the report titled Cat Service and Regulation Options, provided as an attachment to the June 24, 2019 agenda report entitled Stray Cats, be received as information and that Administration increase responsible cat ownership education and awareness by the end of March 2020, as listed in service option 1 in the report.
2. That City Administration bring back to GPFC more information relating to making appropriate amendments to the Animal Bylaw by the end of March 2020, that may 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 24, 2019
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Detailed information related to an increase in service levels on the requirement for licencing cats and prohibiting them from roaming on private property has been provided in the attached report titled Cat Licensing and Private Property Roaming Prohibition.
This report provides detailed information on two service level options. The first option was developed with the least amount of service and expense possible while providing residents with a legal means to humanely trap and surrender cats that they capture roaming loose on their private property. The second option was developed in more of a traditional service model where by the City would provide cat traps to residents as well as provide a pick-up service. The report outlines for each option:
- the service level residents could expect,
- the benefits and risks,
- a breakdown of the estimated revenue and expenses
- a summary of the steps administration would need to take to implement each option, and
- the assumptions made surrounding number of calls for service, number of cats impounded, etc
After consideration of the material that has been compiled, Administration is recommending to Committee that service levels related to the animal control of cats remain status quo. Administration is making this recommendation based on the following factors:
- the current service levels provided to the community allow for officers to seize cats found to be in distress,
- minimizing the increasing costs associated to providing enforcement services,
- creating an environment that will focus the Municipal Enforcement Officers efforts towards the areas that have been identified in the 2019 Community Satisfaction Survey <https://access.stalbert.ca/site/assets/files/8752/city_of_st__albert_2019_community_engagement_survey_-_general_population_final_report.pdf>. These areas include but not limited to, an increase in the enforcement of the current Bylaws in place, increased patrols and visibility and increased efforts on traffic safety.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
As per council direction, no formal public engagement has taken place on the possibility of enacting a cat licensing and private property roaming prohibition.
However, the recently released 2019 Community Satisfaction Survey does provide Council and Administration some insights into this matter.
This report concluded that:
- Only 12% of respondents reported that the Bylaw Enforcement Services do not meet their expectations.
- 79% of respondents reported that that their Bylaw Enforcement expectations were met (58%) or somewhat met (21%).
- When respondents were asked, what one improvement to Bylaw Enforcement would better meet their needs, “Improved animal/pet control” only accounted for 5% of the 150 respondents who reported that their expectations were not met. Higher frequency improvement suggestions included increased bylaw enforcement in general, increased response times, increased patrols, visibility and education/awareness.
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
High level financial estimates have been included in attachment 1.
Legal / Risk:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
High level operational impacts have been included in attachment 1.
Organizational:
High level operational impacts have been included in attachment 1.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
If Council does not wish to support the recommendation, the following alternatives could be considered:
Alternative 1.
To proceed with the minimum service level option described in attachment 1, Administration would recommend an April 2021 implementation target date and the following motion be passed:
“That Community Living Standing Committee recommend to Council that Administration prepare the appropriate amendments to the Animal Bylaw and bring back to the Community Living Standing Committee by September 30, 2020, that would allow for the minimum service level for cat licensing and roaming prohibition as described in Option 1 in the report titled Cat Licensing and Private Property Roaming Prohibition Report, provided as attachment 1 to the Cat Licensing and Roaming Prohibition Agenda Report on March 9, 2020.”
Should the above motion be passed, Administration will prepare the appropriate amendments and bring them back to the Community Living and Standing Committee for consideration to recommend the changes to Council. At the time the amendments are brought back, Administration will prepare further recommended motions related to increased operating budget for the expenses of the program including support staff, kennel services and a public education campaign.
For Administration to implement this program and be ready for April of 2021, it would be recommended that the required Bylaw amendments be passed by Council no later than November 30, 2020.
Alternative 2.
To proceed with the more traditional service level option described in attachment 1, Administration would recommend a June 2021 implementation target date and the following motion be passed:
“That Community Living Standing Committee recommend to Council that Administration prepare the appropriate amendments to the Animal Bylaw and bring back to the Community Living Standing Committee for consideration by September 30, 2020, that would allow for the traditional service level for cat licensing and roaming prohibition as described in Option 2 in the report titled Cat Licensing and Private Property Roaming Prohibition Report, provided as attachment 1 to the Cat Licensing and Roaming Prohibition Agenda Report on March 9, 2020.”
Should the above motion be passed, Administration will prepare the appropriate amendments and bring them back to the Community Living and Standing Committee for consideration to recommend the changes to Council. At the time the amendments are brought back, Administration will prepare further recommended motions related to increased operating and capital budget for the expenses of the program including staff, kennel services, patrol vehicle and a public education campaign.
For Administration to implement this program and be ready for June 2021, it would be recommended that the required Bylaw amendments be passed by Council no later than December 31, 2020. Should Administration not have the appropriate staffing in place for June of 2021, there will likely be reduced services levels provided by Municipal Enforcement (less pro-active patrols and/or increased response times) until appropriate staffing is in place.
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Report Date: March 9, 2020
Author(s): Aaron Giesbrecht
Committee/Department: Emergency Services Department
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble