Board of Health

October 26, 1999

To: Board of Health

From: Councillor Irene Jones, Chair, Animal Services Advisory Subcommittee

Subject: Feral Cats

Recommendations:

The Animal Services Advisory Subcommittee recommends to the Board of Health that the status quo policy on feral cats be maintained in terms of service delivery and in the interim, requested staff, in partnership with animal service organizations across the City, to compile research data and information on the size of the feral cat population in the City and to report back to the Subcommittee.

The Subcommittee further advises having requested the Toronto Humane Society, who is currently conducting a research and action plan on feral cats, to bring forward this information to members of the Subcommittee and Board of Health when this matter will be reviewed further in the next year.

Background:

The Animal Services Advisory Subcommittee, at its meeting on October 21, 1999, discussed the issue of appropriate by-laws and policies for feral cats. This matter was referred by City Council on February 2, 1999 to the Subcommittee for further consideration when the By-law respecting Animals was adopted.

The Subcommittee also had before it the report (August 24, 1998) from the Medical Officer of Health, addressed to the Board, on Feral Animals in Toronto: Issues and Options, and recommending that Toronto Animal Services continue to provide the current level of service with respect to feral cat problems pending a review and resolution of related amalgamation issues. The Board adopted the foregoing report at its meeting on September 15, 1998.

Councillor Irene Jones

Chair, Animal Services Advisory

Subcommittee of the Board of Health

c: Medical Officer of Health

Attn: Ms. Eletta Purdy, Manager, Toronto Animal Services

Mr. Jack Slibar, Toronto Humane Society