Report to: Committee of the Whole                                              Date of Meeting: 2006-10-10

 

 

SUBJECT:                          Animal Care

PREPARED BY:               Sheila Birrell, Town Clerk, Extension 4729

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That Council approve the establishment of an Animal Care Committee to promote and ensure excellence and professionalism in animal care through continuing education, effective networking, mutual support and the enhancement of the ability to provide quality, cost effective services to our residents and care to the animals in our municipality;

 

And That the Committee be composed of a maximum of seven (7) persons:

·        Three Members of the Public

·        One Member of Council

·        One representative from the following organizations:

o       Action Volunteers for Animals

o       North Toronto Cat Rescue

o       Habitat Cat

 

And that the following resources be assigned to the Committee:

  • The Town Clerk (or alternate)
  • Senior Animal Control Officer (or alternate)
  • A voluntary veterinarian

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Not applicable

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

 

1. Purpose                     2. Background                      3. Discussion                        4. Financial        

 

5. Others (Environmental, Accessibility, Engage 21st, Affected Units)             6. Attachment(s)

 

PURPOSE:

To engage the public to assist with improvements to animal care services in the Town of Markham.

 

 

BACKGROUND:

In January responsibility for Markham’s animal care services was transferred to Whitby Animal Services.  The shelter is clean and is located in a quiet setting on Thickson Road, North in Whitby.  Additional patrols resulted from the transfer.  The current patrol hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesdays to Fridays, and 8:00 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. 


 

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

Following approval for the transfer of the animal care services to Whitby Animal Services, staff began to meet with several members of the general public and members of animal organizations to discuss the possibility of a Committee that would be formally recognized by Markham Town Council to assist staff with improvements to its animal care services. 

 

The primary focus of the Committee would be to:

  • Educate residents on the importance of animal care, of spaying and neutering and the appropriate veterinary services
  • Provide for reasonable affordable veterinary services to residents
  • Arrange for adoptions
  • Fund raise for the above items.

 

Terms of Reference have been prepared and are attached hereto.

 

FINANCIAL TEMPLATE:

Not applicable

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

 

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

 

 

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

Engage 21st organizational values and service principles include innovation…continually striving to develop and apply new ideas, products and services, technologies and skills.

 

Engage 21st also identifies the Town’s corporate goals of organizational excellence…to achieve excellence in managing and delivering quality services through quality people.

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Not applicable

 

 

RECOMMENDED

                            BY:    ________________________          ________________________

                                      Sheila Birrell,                                      Andy Taylor,

                                      Town Clerk.                                       Commissioner of Corporate

                                                                                                            Services

 

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Terms of Reference