Orangeville council discusses taking on animal-shelter duties amid regional capacity concerns
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Summary
Council members discussed reopening local kennels and pursuing a county contract after shelter capacity problems were raised; staff said county payments to Emery Animal Health are roughly $50,000–$70,000 but exact contract terms were not available at the meeting.
Orangeville — Council members on Feb. 19 held an extended discussion about animal-shelter capacity and whether the city should assume sheltering services currently handled elsewhere.
Council staff said the county’s current arrangement with Emery Animal Health appears to cost "somewhere between $50,000 and $70,000," though no formal contract amount was presented during the meeting. Council members said that if Orangeville were to take over shelter operations the city would need to add kennels, staff (part-time or full-time), and a reliable intake/impound process.
"We've had times on the weekend where we've caught a dog and no one wants to answer the phone," a council member said, explaining operational gaps the city sometimes faces. Another member suggested adding more indoor and outdoor kennels and possibly hiring a part-time position to provide more dependable service.
Council members also discussed licensing a veterinarian or contractor to perform euthanasia in order to reduce pressure on no-kill providers that are frequently full. Several members said the city should seek a written contract or clear cost estimate from county commissioners before proceeding; the presiding official said staff will discuss the issue with the county and return with concrete figures.
The item remained a discussion topic only; no motion was made at the Feb. 19 meeting.