Kawartha Lakes seeks new contract to kennel stray dogs
Agreement with the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes has expired
Dog owners may have to drive outside the municipality to retrieve their pooches should the animals be picked up by Kawartha Lakes bylaw officers.
A kennel services agreement between the municipality and Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes (HSKL) has ended, leaving the city to provide a base level of service for dogs as staff seek to fill a new vendor contract.
The kennel services agreement actually ended Dec. 31, but was temporarily extended until March 31 while municipal staff sought a new facility.
While at-large dogs will continue to be picked up by bylaw staff, it is now likely they will be housed outside the community. Most recently, the municipality has primarily been working with a group in Newmarket.
Anyone who finds an at-large dog is asked to contact the bylaw office during business hours at 705-324-9411 extension 1212, after hours at 705-928-3054 or via email at bylawcomplaints@kawarthalakes.ca.
Also, due to staffing and capacity limitations, no cat pound services will be provided at this time. The municipal feral cat Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) program has been temporarily suspended. The humane society can provide traps, food, shelters, and information for feral cat colony caretakers.
For animals that are injured, in pain, sick, suffering or abused, contact Animal Welfare Services via the Ontario Animal Protection Call Centre at 1-833-926-4625 or visit ontario.ca/page/animal-welfare.
Local vendors or facilities with capacity to temporarily house animals on behalf of the municipality, are encouraged to contact municipal bylaw.
Although the humane society will no longer be housing or picking up at-large dogs, the organization said it remains steadfast in its commitment to providing care to animals in Kawartha Lakes.
“We work as quickly as we can to help all animals (stray, owned, abandoned, sick or injured) in need in our community, and you can call us for support
if you know of such an animal,” reads a statement issued by the humane society’s board of directors on Saturday.
“Please understand that during some periods of the year, animal rescues and shelters are extremely busy and cannot accept animals right away. Emergencies will always take priority, but we will respond promptly to requests for our services. We work as swiftly as possible to move animals into homes to make room for the next animals in need.”
In the event municipal bylaw is unable to respond to and fulfil
the request for service, the public is asked to contact the humane society for support.
“We will take the stray or lost animal into our care and keep it away from harm,” continues the statement. “HSKL remains dedicated to our community’s stray, lost, owned, abandoned, neglected, injured and sick animals … Our priority will always be to care for, house, and rehome animals in need in our community.”
For more information on humane society services and ways to support the organization call 705-878-4618 or visit hskl.ca.