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Callander overrun by cats?
It’s not that bad yet, but there have been some recent complaints of local felines “running at large” within the community. So detailed a recent release from the municipality, and the town reminds cat lovers to keep their furry friends on their own property.
Further, the municipality reminded residents that as per the Animal Control By-law, all Callander cats must be registered with the municipality, and wear their tag once registered. Same for dogs. The 15-page By-law outlines all rules regarding pet-ownership within the municipality.
For example, no venomous animals are allowed. Rabbits are – up to six – if they are kept within a rabbit hutch. Pigeons are okay, but not more than ten, and they must have their own pigeon loft. The list goes on, covering reptiles, household birds, and goats, sheep and mules. The by-law can be found on the municipality’s website.
Those who choose to breach those by-laws may find animal control darkening your door.
Recently, Callander council extended the municipal contract for animal control services. Carol (Sandy) Briggs (no relation to the author) provides those services. Over the past five years, the average cost for animal control “has averaged $3,338.40 per year,” noted Callander’s Senior Municipal Director, Ashley Bilodeau, in her report to council.
In 2015, the municipality put out a request for proposals for the animal control contract. The Humane Society offered to tackle the job for $22,643. Why such a difference in price? Well, the Humane Society’s quote included dogs and cats, whereas Briggs’ bid only included dogs.
Wrangling roaming cats is a costly proposition.
When the town asked again in 2020 how much feline control services would cost, the Humane Society estimated $12,000, additional to the dog control services.
“It’s always been so much more,” to include the cats, noted Mayor Robb Noon, “and that’s why we never did go that way.”
Without professional cat wrangling services, “we ask our residents to look after their cats,” Mayor Noon requested, “and keep them indoors if possible.”
Not that Callander is the Wild West for felines, far from it. If complaints are made about a rowdy kitty rambling down Main, a by-law officer will visit said cat’s owner. They just won’t physically pick the cat up or “do anything with that cat if they find it loose,” Billodeau clarified.
Councillor Irene Smit also noted how recently a by-law officer stopped by her home, “pamphlets in hand” to discuss the importance of keeping cats close to home. The officer was canvassing the neighbourhood, spreading the news, and seeing if people are having issues with wayward kitties.
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
