Gananoque to consider increase from Kingston Humane Society

Gananoque council will consider entering into a new service agreement with the Kingston Humane Society that more than doubles the agency's monthly fee.

The matter is up for discussion during Tuesday’s council meeting in the Gananoque Council Chambers at Town Hall at 5 p.m.

The town retains the services of the Kingston Humane Society (KHS) to provide impound services. The KHS provides for bylaw officers to take stray dogs to the pound.

The contract identifies the responsibilities of the KHS during an impound and at what point a dog may be adopted, if left unclaimed. It is noted that it is bylaw officers’ priority to bring a dog home and not to the pound. This is provided it is known who the owner is (via dog tags) and if they can be located at the time of pickup.

The town does not have the facilities to keep a dog on-site.

The purpose of the latest staff report is to enter into a new contract beginning Jan. 1, 2025 and ending Dec. 31, 2029

The contract with KHS includes a base monthly retainer fee plus any further incurred costs.

The current monthly retainer fee is $247 and the proposed increased cost is $500/month, or just over double the current costs. Year two through five will see a CPI increase.

The retainer essentially “holds” a spot if it is required at the time of pickup. These costs are considered the overhead to maintain the KHS facility and its operations.

Additional costs the town could see would relate to any veterinary services for medical attention or vaccinations, and kennel costs if a dog is impounded and unclaimed.

If a dog is reclaimed, the dog owner is required to pay for these costs up front, prior to the animal being returned. If a dog is not licensed with the town, the KHS will collect and issue a dog tag on behalf of the Town.

Keith Dempsey is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Brockville Recorder and Times. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.