Moncton has approved a new pet control bylaw that includes cats after animal rescue groups voiced concerns about an earlier version that was focused on dogs.
“We just wanted to say thank you, ” Amber MacDonald with the Moncton chapter of CARMA, Cat Rescue Maritimes, told councillors Monday.
“We really appreciate you listening to us. ”
Moncton staff presented a brand new edition of the pet control bylaw to council earlier this year that changed most references from animals in order to dogs.
It prompted several organizations like the People for Animal Wellbeing, previously called the Moncton SPCA, to say the change would have major implications for non-profit animal rescue organizations.
They worried the particular bylaw would shift animal control work from the city to non-profits.
MacDonald previously informed CBC that will the six rescue groupings in the Moncton area were already over capacity.
MacDonald had said the particular groups had been overwhelmed along with the number of cats and kittens in their care plus worried what the first proposed bylaw modify would mean for them.
Updated version approved by authorities
After groups voiced those concerns at a September council meeting, the city met with four organizations and offered a revised version in order to council Mon.
Conrad Landry, the city’s fire chief and director associated with community safety services, told council the particular latest edition reverts to using the word pet where appropriate.
“If an animal barks, it’s a dog, so we left dog there, ” Landry said.
The bylaw adds the requirement in order to microchip any animal that is seized or found.
A cat unclaimed after 96 hours can be spayed or neutered at the owner’s cost.
Landry said that’s meant to address the particular rescue group concerns regarding an overpopulation of pet cats.
Councillors unanimously voted in favour of second and third reading from the bylaw Monday.