Animal Advocates Watchdog

Richmond city council gives animal shelter new contract *LINK*

Animal shelter gets new contract

By Matthew Hoekstra - Richmond Review
Published: January 14, 2009 5:00 PM

The Richmond Animal Protection Society is about to get some breathing room.

A new two-year deal approved by city council Monday will give the group nearly double the cash it previously received for operating the city pound and handling daytime animal control services.

“We’ve literally had to beg from friends. We’ve had to put in ourselves. Some staff even gave up paycheques to survive. It just means we will have enough to take care of all the basic needs for the animals,” said Carol Reichert, society president.

RAPS will now get $320,000 annually to operate the city-owned shelter at 12071 No. 5 Rd. Since 2007, it received $170,000 per year, based on a low-bid contract that swept out longtime operator the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Through its fundraising campaigns, which included proceeds from its Granville Avenue thrift store, RAPS was able to pay for necessities, including supplies, veterinarian bills and salaries. Donations can now be used for shelter extras.
“We have hopes of using our fundraising to make things a little more comfortable for the animals and do some extras.”

At Monday’s meeting, Coun. Bill McNulty raised an issue that’s been a thorn in the side of animal advocates across the city: the sale of animals that haven’t been spayed or neutered. After an impulse pet store purchase, some owners simply set their rabbit free at a neighbourhood park.

“We haven’t come to the root of the problem that originates when people buy the pet,” said McNulty. “It’s time to examine this.”

McNulty said the city’s bylaw department will be working on the file this year.

It was good news for Reichert, who still sees well-meaning people picking up rabbits from local parks and dropping them off at the shelter.

“We’ve got rabbit cages everywhere,” she said.

Reichert said RAPS is embarking on a public program to spay and neuter animals at a subsidized cost. In the meantime, the shelter has plenty of animals available for adoption. For more information, call 604-275-2036.

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