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Orangeville council discusses taking over animal-shelter contract and expanding kennel capacity, takes no formal vote
Summary
Council discussed reopening an old shelter and possibly taking over a county contract to house animals; members considered staffing, impound fees, euthanasia licensing and revenue potential but did not take action, directing staff to seek contract details from county commissioners.
Orangeville City Council held an extended discussion Feb. 19 about animal-control services and the possibility of taking over the county's shelter contract and reopening an older municipal shelter.
Council members and staff noted the regional shelter system has been operating at or over capacity, that the county currently pays between roughly $50,000 and $70,000 for shelter services and that the city could potentially capture that revenue by contracting to house animals locally. Staff explained around-the-clock availability and weekends are current pain points when animals are impounded.
Council discussed practical requirements: adding interior and exterior kennels, staffing (part-time or full-time), licensing to perform euthanasia in order to relieve pressure when partner facilities are full, and how impound fees would be charged (likely on city utility/billing cycles if council chose that path). Several councilmembers urged obtaining a signed contract and detailed cost estimates from the county before moving forward. No motion was made; staff were instructed to meet with county commissioners and obtain contract terms, prices and operational details for future consideration.
The item remained a policy discussion: council members expressed general support for exploring the idea but emphasized the need to understand contract costs, liability and staffing before committing.
