City of Cranbrook council Nov. 7 unanimously approved the first three readings of a bylaw aimed at licensing cats.

In response to a request of council to explore the licensing and regulating of cats within the city, staff presented a report on the amendment to the Animal Control bylaw Monday night

The report provided information around staff resources used to support the licensing program for dogs, currently, while highlighting the discrepancy between the amount spent on impoundment, medical care and rehoming of animals compared to what is collected through the licensing program.

In a report by Molly van Leusden and Paul Heywood (Corporate Services and Engineering and Development Services), council learned staff reviewed bylaws from various communities that have established cat licensing programs. They also dug into dog licensing data collected by the city to try and find a cost figure for licensing cats.

Engineering and Development and Finance Department staff provide the administration and enforcement for the licensing and regulation of dogs, pursuant to the Animal Control Bylaw No. 3845, 2016.

“Finance sends invoices annually for approximately $90,000.00 with an average payment rate of 30%, for a revenue of $31,000.00 +/ – 1% in licensing fees. The City of Cranbrook budget pays an annual contract fee as well as boarding and medical fees that are not consistently collected from the owner, these costs well exceed the annual revenue. The current impoundment facility is nearing maximum capacity and resources in the ability to intake stray or animals needing to be re-homed,” the report stated.

Heywood told council a cost to the city is unknown at this time.

“At this point all we will be doing is registering cats,” he told council. “We wanted to see what level of compliance we’re going to receive from the general public.”

Once that is established city staff will reassess “what kind of dollars we want to commit to increase the level of compliance in the city.”

The staff report outlined “there may be additional items required for implementation ie. additional cat traps, protective equipment, impound fees for increased numbers of animals held, office supplies, materials for public education, etc.”

Council was unanimous in support, though Mayor Wayne Price was absent from the meeting, with Coun. Wes Graham installed as acting mayor at the outset of the meeting.

“It shouldn’t impact you if you keep your cat inside,” noted Coun. Wayne Stetski.

“It is a small step forward but at least it’s a step forward,” said Coun. Norma Blissett. “I’ve received numerous emails from members of the public who found out through media we were moving ahead with this, just saying ‘thank you very much to the city for doing this finally.’ I realize it’s not going to solve all of our problems but it is a step forward and we have to take the first step.”

Animal Control Amendment Bylaw No. 4097, 2022 will come back to council for adoption November 21.

e-KNOW file photos

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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