Councils for the Municipality of Port Hope, the Township of Hamilton, and the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand are pleased to announce improvements to the delivery of animal care services in their respective communities with the transfer of care and enforcement to the Northumberland Humane Society, effective immediately.
All three Councils held Special Council meetings on April 26, 2022, respectively, to authorize the execution of an agreement to dissolve the Joint Animal Control Municipal Services Board (Board), authorize the sale of the Municipal Animal Service Facility and land, and to support a service contract between each Municipality and the Northumberland Humane Society (NHS) for Animal Control Services.
The delivery of animal control services in the area has evolved over time to support the growing needs of residents and to ensure compliance with applicable legislation changes. Since amalgamation, area municipalities within Northumberland County have generally worked together as a Board to deliver animal control services collectively through various arrangements.
The Board has been exploring alternative animal care and enforcement options since 2020 when the Town of Cobourg left the Board and began working with the Northumberland Humane Society.
The new agreement is a five-year term and is based on a model of animal control, enforcement, and care currently being delivered by Humane Society agencies across various municipalities in Ontario. The NHS will operate out of the facility located at 2363 Theatre Road South and future use of the current NHS building located on Ward Street in Port Hope will be determined by the Northumberland Humane Society.
The facility will be open to the public, much the same as it currently operates and the agreement outlines the services and operations provided by the NHS, including the collection of impound fees set out in the Animal Control By-law. The agreement also acknowledges that the Humane Society is opposed to euthanizing animals and will instead provide veterinary care to the extent possible to save an animal’s life.
Residents in the Municipality of Port Hope and the Townships of Alnwick/Haldimand and Hamilton can find more about animal care services and enforcement by visiting the Northumberland Humane Society website.
The Northumberland Humane Society is a community minded organization governed by a volunteer board and has a strong reputation as an animal welfare group.
Quotes
“The Municipality of Port Hope is pleased with the new agreement to transfer animal care to the Northumberland Humane society. NHS is a tremendous community-minded organization and already well established within the County. We look forward to our continued partnership and thank Alnwick/Haldimand and Hamilton Townships for their support and assistance in this collective decision.”
John Bickle, Councillor, Municipality of Port Hope
Council Representative for the former Joint Animal Control Municipal Service Board
“The Township of Alnwick/Haldimand would like to take this opportunity to thank MAS staff, volunteers and supporters for their past contributions. We are pleased with the agreement to transfer animal care to NHS as it will eliminate duplication of services while continuing to provide excellent animal care by an organization well respected in Northumberland County.”
Sherry Gibson, Deputy Mayor, Township of Alnwick/Haldimand
Council Representation for the former Joint Animal Control Municipal Service Board
"The Township of Hamilton is pleased to enter into the agreement with Northumberland Humane Society for the provision of animal care and enforcement. With its track record and dedication to the care and welfare of animals, great and small, the Township looks forward to the future of animal services in our community."
Bill Cane, Mayor, Township of Hamilton
Chair / Council Representative for the former Joint Animal Control Municipal Service Board
“The Northumberland Humane Society (NHS) is very pleased to have reached this agreement with the communities in Port Hope, Hamilton and Alnwick/Haldimand. Going forward, this will eliminate the duplication of services, result in significant savings to the municipalities, and ensure the humane care of the animals for which NHS is well known. In addition, being able to re-locate and operate from the previous Municipal Animal Services location on Theatre Rd will enable the Humane Society to provide even better care, and over time expand and broaden the services provided to the community. We recognize the responsibility that we inherit with this agreement and appreciate the confidence placed in our wonderful and hard-working employees and volunteers – our mandate is the welfare of the animals, and the community can be confident of their care.”
Bob Hunter, Board Member
Northumberland Humane Society
2022-05-19
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