New fee schedule coming in 2020 for animal control

AMITY >> Following a year of various new fee agreements charged to municipalities by the Animal Rescue League of Berks County, the agency is returning to a per capita fee for 2020.

But, instead of charging $2 per resident for its animal control services, the fee charged to all of the county’s municipalities has been reduced to $1 per resident.

For Amity Township, that amounts to $12,583, said Amity Township Manager Troy Bingaman.

The township’s animal control costs through August were $3,800, plus a $1,000 retainer to the league.

Bingaman said some municipalities are contracting with

smaller animal control agencies.

“They are paying a $1,000 retainer and small fees if there is any activity,” he said.

Alexis Pagoulatos, the league’s new executive director since June, said the Animal Rescue League wants to “re-establish relations and reopen communication lines again” with Berks County municipalities.

“We love what we do and we want to continue to be everything the community wants us to be,” Pagoulatos said in a phone interview.

The league’s 2020 animal control contract, with the $1 per capita fee, was sent to all municipalities on Sept. 30.

“Please know that the ARL is passionately and genuinely committed to fulfilling our mission to care for stray, injured and abused animals — we have done it for more than 65 years, and frankly, we feel confident in our ability to provide excellent professional-level and compassionate care to these animals, your residents and your municipality.”

Pagoulatos said the 50 percent reduction in the per capita fee makes contracting with the league more attainable for all municipalities.

The letter indicates that throughout 2020, league staff will track and review each municipality’s animal control needs and costs.

“We don’t want to leave anyone out — we want to be a safety net. This is a difficult time, and we have an evolutionary new model for socially conscious animal care.”

“We’re listening to the community, municipalities, and we’re willing to compromise, work with budget cycles.”

“We want to continue in this county and work together as true partners.”

Pagoulatos said it cost the league $18,000 in 2017 to care for animals from Amity Township.

The township’s contribution in 2017 was $1,000.

It contributed $15,000 in 2019.

Marketing Director Jen Breton said the Cumru Township-based Animal Rescue League is not a turnkey operation, and doesn’t receive any state funding.

“Animals can require extensive medical and behavioral care, and many animals

are here two to four months,” said Breton.

“We need support to keep the doors open,” said Pagoulatos, adding that the animal control costs should be an annual municipal budget line item instead of a charity donation.

“We have to pay electricity, pay the staff that feeds the animals and cares for them. At the end of the day, we need to pay for vet care, a high cost. The league serves almost 6,000 animals a year. Intake and adoption fees don’t cover the cost of the animals’ care. People expect us to stay open, but a gap is there.”

“I encourage people to go to their municipal meetings — to discuss it at a municipal level. There is a lot of frustration. People are willing to pay $1 a year for animal control,” said Pagoulatos.

The league proposed the $2 per capita fee agreement last October, effective Jan. 31, 2019, or the league would refuse stray animal services to that municipality,

including the ability to drop-off animals.

The previous executive director said municipalities could also choose a “fee for services rendered.”

Their estimates for Amity Township was $30,000 with the $2 per capita formula, or $14,000 to $16,000 per year for “services rendered.”

Library funding

The Boone Area Library, 129 N. Mill Street, Birdsboro, is requesting a funding increase from Amity Township for 2020.

Treasurer and board member Sue Fix, who represents Amity Township on the library board, asked Amity Supervisors on Oct. 2 to increase the township’s annual donation amount from $1.37 per person to $1.82.

That would result in an increase of more than $5,000 for the library, from $17,250 to $22,901.

The library is looking for an additional Amity Township representative to serve on the board.

“Please know that the ARL is passionately and genuinely committed to fulfilling our mission to care for stray, injured and abused animals — we have done it for more than 65 years, and frankly, we feel confident in our ability to provide excellent professional-level and compassionate care to these animals, your residents and your municipality.” — Alexis Pagoulatos, the league’s new executive director