Woolwich is looking for a lower price and the option of phasing-in any increases before proceeding with a new deal with the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society.
The township this week deferred a vote on a new contract with KWHS pending negotiations to lower the proposed $15,000 price tag for animal shelter services this year. Staff will now go back to the agency to discuss options before council makes a final decision.
The two groups have been in talks for a few years to update an agreement that dates back to 1966, a deal the Humane Society says does not pay enough to cover its costs. In the past five years, for instance, Woolwich has been paying about $4,000. Under a new five-year contract given tentative approval when councillors met last week, the price would jump the rate to $15,000 for 2014, with cost-of-living increases annually.
At Tuesday night’s meeting, councillors again debated the costs, which would take a significant jump from the $6,000 billed in 2013.
“We as a council should stop and look at this for a minute,” said Mayor Todd Cowan, who pointed to the 250 per cent increase over last year’s fees.
While councillors admitted the township has been underpaying for years due to an outdated deal, they were hesitant about the increases. They may settle for the proposed cost, but not before more negotiation, including the option of phasing-in any price jumps, say $9,000 this year and $12,000 next before reaching the $15,000 target.
Coun. Mark Bauman, who supported the deal last week, agreed there are reasons to balk at the costs, noting he’s concerned about the amount of money spent on what could amount to a bunch of feral cats – “$15,000 on cats that nobody really cares for.”
Cats make up the largest percentage of animals dealt with by the Humane Society under its deal with the township. Last year, 170 cats and 46 dogs from Woolwich passed through KWHS. Most of the animals go unclaimed: about 40 per cent of dogs are returned to their owners, while only one per cent of cats fall into that category.
Although the pound fees make up the bulk of the charges to the township, Bauman noted the agency also provides assistance with wild animals, educational programs and inspection services.
It’s a service … very much needed in our community,” added Coun. Julie-Anne Herteis of reaching a deal with the Humane Society.
