Interim Arrangements for the Provisions of

Animal Sheltering and Related Services for Wards 19 to 26

The Board of Health recommends the adoption of the report (October 30, 1998) from the Medical Officer of Health.

For the information of Council, it is advised that a technical amendment has been made to the report (October 30, 1998) from the Medical Officer of Health by clarifying that the escape clause of the agreement, referred to in the second paragraph under the category "Comments" on page 18 of this report, provides for termination with 120 days notice, and not one month's notice as inidcated.

The Board of Health submits the report (October 30, 1998) from the Medical Officer of Health.

Purpose:

To provide an interim arrangement for the provision of animal sheltering and related services for Wards 19 to 26, pending the results of a comprehensive review of options for the long term provisions of animal services in the City.

Source of Funds:

Funds in the amount of $728,000.00 need to be provided in the 1999 Toronto Animal Services Budget to cover a 12-month extension of the animal sheltering agreement with the Toronto Humane Society. This represents the same amount budgeted in 1998.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that the Chief Administrative Officer and the Medical Officer of Health be authorized to extend the existing contract to December 31, 1999, between the Toronto Humane Society and the City of Toronto for animal sheltering services for Wards 19 - 26, upon the same terms and conditions, in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

Background:

In all Wards of the City except Wards 19 to 26, animal sheltering services are provided by a municipal animal centre owned and operated by the City. The dogs, cats, raccoons and skunks from Wards 19 to 26 are housed by the Toronto Humane Society (THS) under an agreement with the City which expires on December 31, 1998. At its regular meeting on March 27, 1998, the Board adopted the March 12, 1998 report from the Chief Administrative Officer and the Medical Officer of Health entitled "Interim Arrangements for the provision of animal services in 1998" which included the recommendations that:

(1)The 1998 revised budget of $4,205.6 thousand as outlined in the report be adopted;

(2)The Board of Health adopt the Interim Plan to deliver animal services, as outlined in that report;

(3)The Chief Administrative Officer and Medical Officer of Health be authorized to take the necessary steps to extend the existing sheltering services contract with the Toronto Humane Society to December 31, 1998 pursuant to the City's purchasing policy; and

(4)Under the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer, resources be provided from Finance, Audit and the Amalgamation Office to conduct a comprehensive review of options for the delivery of animal services across the City.

At the regular meeting of the Board of Health, on July 27, 1998 the Medical Officer of Health provided the Board with a report titled "Provision of Animal Sheltering Services for Wards 19 to 26" (dated July 14, 1998). The Board adopted the staff recommendations that:

(1)The Board receive the report for information and recommend the appropriate option for sheltering of animals from Wards 19 to 26 to City Council, following the planned review of animal services.

(2)In the event that the planned review of Animal Services is not completed by October 1, 1998, the Board recommend to Council a six-month extension of the existing agreement with the Toronto Humane Society until June 30, 1999.

Comments:

At this time the City has not received the report from an outside consultant with recommendations that will indicate which of a number of service options would best serve the residents of Toronto. Considering that the public has requested in the past to be provided with an opportunity for input into a variety of animal service issues, six months maybe too short period of time to receive public input and develop strategies for implementation of any of the recommendations from the review. Therefore, it is recommended that the contract be extended for a period of 12 months until December 31, 1999, instead of the 6-month period proposed as an option in the July 14, 1998 report.

The agreement contains an escape clause which provides either party with the ability to terminate the agreement with 120 days notice. As such, the City would not be "locked in" to December if final decisions and implementation thereof can be achieved before the end of the year.

Conclusions:

At present the sheltering of animals from Wards 19 to 26 is being handled by the Toronto Humane Society under an agreement with the City. The overall review of animal services, currently being conducted, may provide a number of viable options which may offer different advantages and disadvantages. A 12-month extension of the sheltering agreement with the Toronto Humane Society is recommended, pending final decisions by Council and subsequent implementation.

Contact Name:

James H. Bandow

Toronto Animal Services

Toronto Public Health

Ph:392-6767

Fax:392-0087

Respectfully submitted,

Councillor John Filion,

Chair

Toronto, November 10, 1998

Christine Archibald

Tel. (416) 392-7039