An increase in the population of abandoned cats and dogs has resulted in the town looking into best possible ways to solving Stettler’s pet overpopulation crisis through the most humane way.
On Tuesday, July 21, Joan Kerbes and Juergen Ross made a presentation to the council requesting the town to go for the spay and neuter program approach.
Kerbes and Ross noted that there were veterinarians willing to participate in the program, offering their services at a 50 per cent reduced rate, although they did not mention any specific practices.
The two questioned the need for a bylaw enforcement budget of $83,150 for 2015 for pets alone, and instead requested that the funds be reallocated and placed in the spay/neuter program.
Under the town's current contract with Alberta Animal Services in Red Deer, which runs from March 1, 2011 to April 30, 2016, the town is on the hook for a total contract price of $117,600, with an additional $80 per hour for special call-out trips.
The council concluded that it might look into that route, but more information was needed and that the issue would be discussed again at a future council meeting.