Winnipeg, MB - Next week the Standing Policy Committee on Protection and Community Services will consider a report which recommends repealing both the Pound By-law and the Exotic Animal By-law in favour of a newly created Responsible Pet Ownership By-law. The proposed Responsible Pet Ownership By-law is the result of continued consultations with stakeholders, and is supported by the three largest animal sheltering organizations in the city, including the Winnipeg Humane Society.
The proposed Responsible Pet Ownership By-law provides a more contemporary approach to animal ownership in Winnipeg while serving to protect the safety of pets, their owners and other residents. The proposed By-law includes measures aimed at reducing pet overpopulation issues in Winnipeg and will assist animal shelters and rescue organizations that deal with the effects of pet overpopulation by strongly encouraging responsible pet ownership and promoting the importance of spaying and neutering.
A Cat Licensing Program is proposed as part of the new Responsible Pet Ownership By-law. It is also proposed that half of the gross proceeds of the Cat Licensing Program be used to expand The Winnipeg Humane Society (WHS) spay/neuter programs for owned, stray and feral cat populations and/or for the WHS to provide to their key partner organizations such as Winnipeg Pet Rescue and D’Arcy’s A.R.C. for expansion of cat spay/neuter programs.
The City of Calgary boasts a 52 per cent return rate on lost cats with a cat licensing program; Winnipeg lags at nine per cent. As a result, Winnipeg area animal shelters take in high volumes of stray cats that are not reunited with their owners and thousands of stray and feral cats are euthanized annually. Most major cities in Canada have both dog and cat licensing.
The Cat Licensing Program would be implemented on January 1, 2015 whereby cat owners would be required to purchase an annual cat license for a $15.00 fee for spayed/neutered cats and a $50.00 fee for intact cats. Failure to license a cat would result in a $250.00 fine, similar to the fine imposed for the failure to license a dog.
“Cat licensing will protect more cats with a license tag and provide a revenue stream for enhanced spay/neuter programs,” said Animal Services Chief Operating Officer Leland Gordon. “Both dogs and cats affect neighbourhood livability and place a strain on area animal shelters. A license increases owner responsibility while adding value and protection to our feline companions.”
“We applaud the direction to dedicate 50 per cent of the gross license revenue from the proposed Cat Licensing Program to the Winnipeg Humane Society for the further enhancement of cat spay/neuter programs and for the Winnipeg Humane Society to provide such funding to their key partner organizations such as the Winnipeg Pet Rescue and D’Arcy’s A.R.C,” said Bill McDonald, Chief Executive Officer of the Winnipeg Humane Society. “Cat overpopulation in Winnipeg is a significant issue and these measures are important steps towards addressing this problem.”
With cat licensing, 311 operators would be able to reunite lost cats wearing licenses with their owners. In 2012, 311 reunited 927 dogs wearing licenses without those dogs having to set foot in Animal Services.
Additional highlights from the proposed By-law include:
- Allowing residents of Winnipeg to own or harbour up to six dogs and cats, four of which may be dogs. The previous By-law allowed for a maximum of three dogs and three cats.
- Travelling zoos, exhibits or circuses will only be able to exhibit or use dogs, cats, and commercial animals. The use of exotic animals will not be allowed in travelling shows or circuses. 27 other Canadian municipalities restrict the use of exotic animals in circuses.
- Urban chicken keeping in Winnipeg will be allowed only in areas that are agriculturally zoned due to potential food safety, humane and neighbourhood liveability issues.
- Maintaining the ban on pit bulls in Winnipeg.
- A Prohibited Animal Listing based on research of jurisdictions across Canada and best practice. The proposed list overall is less restrictive than the current Exotic Animal By-law taking into account public safety and humane treatment of animals while still providing a variety of animals available for pet ownership.
View the report, which will be considered by the Standing Policy Committee on Protection and Community Services on Thursday, July 4, 2013.