City of Kingston Report to Council Report Number

To: From: Resource Staff: Date of Meeting: Subject: Executive Summary: City of Kingston Report to Council Report Number 16-267 Mayor and Members of Council Lanie Hurdle, Commissioner, Community Services Paige Agnew, Director, Planning, Building & Licensing Services Responsible Pet Ownership Program Status Report and Next Steps The Responsible Pet Ownership Program (RPOP), endorsed by Council in 2013, is in its second year of implementation. Staff provided a status report in June 2015, which was showing positive changes within the RPOP s first year of implementation. This report provides an update on the recommendations that were grouped under the following categories: Pet Licensing Voluntary Pet Registration Microchip Requirements Promotion of Pet Tags Unlicensed Backyard Breeders Regulate Rabbit Breeders Implementation of Pet Store Restrictions At Large Free Ride Home Spay/Neuter Programs Service Enhancements and Resource Requirements Public Education and Communications The second year of implementation is continuing to show positive results and outcomes. The report also recommends some next steps in the implementation of RPOP initiatives. City staff have been working closely with Spay/Neuter Kingston Initiative (SNKI) and the Kingston Responsible Pet Ownership Group to review progress and identify some next steps as it relates Council Meeting 21 97

Page 2 of 7 to a community based high volume and low cost spay/neuter clinic. City staff are recommending that discussions on a potential partnership for a community based high volume and low cost spay/neuter clinic continue and that a report be brought to Council at a later date with some partnership options. Staff are also recommending that a Council member be assigned to the Kingston Responsible Pet Ownership Group, which is composed of representatives from various organizations providing animal services. Furthermore, staff are recommending that Council delegate authority to staff to amend the City funding distribution between the Spay/Neuter voucher program and the Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Release/Return program, depending on need and demand. Council had approved a funding distribution of 50/50 in 2013 but recent data would support a different distribution. Staff have been consulting with the Kingston Responsible Pet Ownership Group on this matter. Recommendation: That Council direct staff to continue to explore partnership options with Spay/Neuter Kingston Initiative to establish a community based high volume and low income spay/neuter clinic and report back to Council at a later date; and That Councillor be appointed to be a designated member on the Kingston Responsible Pet Ownership Group; and That Council delegate authority to the Commissioner of Community Services to redistribute the Council approved yearly funding between the Spay/Neuter voucher program and the Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Release/Return program, depending on demand and need. Council Meeting 21 98

Page 3 of 7 Authorizing Signatures: Lanie Hurdle, Commissioner, Community Services Gerard Hunt, Chief Administrative Officer Consultation with the following Members of the Corporate Management Team: Denis Leger, Commissioner, Corporate & Emergency Services Jim Keech, President and CEO, Utilities Kingston Desiree Kennedy, Chief Financial Officer & City Treasurer Not required Not required Not required Council Meeting 21 99

Options/Discussion: Page 4 of 7 The following is a status update on the second year of implementation of the Responsible Pet Ownership Program s recommendations: 1. Pet Licensing, Voluntary Pet Registration and Promotion of Pet Tags In 2015, 4,252 dog and cat licences were issued. Of this total, 1,598 represented first time registrations and 2,654 were renewals. Of the 1,598 first time registrations, 956 qualified for a free licence, the pet being under the age of 6 months or over the age of six months but spayed or neutered. 532 of the 2,654 renewals represented owners paying a fee for the first time, their pet having qualified for free first time registration in 2014. In the first half of 2016, 3,576 dog and cat licences were issued in partnership with DocuPet (online pet registration program) and other agencies. Of this total, 1,571 represented first time registrations and 2,005 were renewals. Of the 1,571 first time registrations, 1,113 qualified for a free licence, the pet being under the age of 6 months (190) or over the age of six months but spayed or neutered (923). For animals that have already been registered with the City, refunds are available, equaling the discounted price of a tag upon receipt of proof of spaying, neutering or micro-chipping. In 2015, 5 pet owners took advantage of this opportunity. As an incentive for owners of more than two dogs or cats, a multi animal discount when registering or renewing a third and subsequent pet of the same species is available. In 2015, 129 pet owners have benefitted from this pricing incentive. Council authorized phasing in tag fee increases for spayed or neutered and micro-chipped cats incrementally by 30% per year, until a $15.00 total is reached. The 2016 fee for a tag is $13.00 and was included in the Fees and Charges By-Law. In 2015, Animal Control Officers issued 110 warnings and laid 7 charges for owners who failed to license their pet. There remain at least 2,000 pets whose owners have not yet renewed their license in 2016. So far this year, 182 warnings have been issued and 6 charges laid for unlicensed pets. City staff are working with DocuPet who will be initiating a door-to door awareness campaign which could also have an impact on the outstanding renewals. The City is also implementing DocuPet kiosks in various City facilities, including the INVISTA Centre and Artillery Park, and will work with DocuPet to continue promoting pet licensing at various events. The City pays a commission to agencies such as the Kingston Humane Society, animal hospitals and pet stores for the issuance of pet tags, including for first time free registrations, to compensate them for providing this service to their customers and clients and to encourage the continuation of this service. In 2015, a total of 2,413 pet tags were issued by outside agencies, including 686 tags issued at the Kingston Humane Society. By comparison, the City issued 4,526 pet tags in 2013 and 4,361pet tags in 2014. 2. Microchip Requirements In 2015, 1,879 licensed pets had a microchip, representing 43% of all licensed pets. In 2014, 1,754 licensed pets, or 40%, were micro-chipped. Despite the marginal increase in licensed pets Council Meeting 21 100

Page 5 of 7 that were micro-chipped, more than half of all licensed pets still do not have this reliable form of identification. Staff will investigate measures to increase the rate of micro-chipping, including lower cost micro-chip clinics. 3. Unlicensed Backyard Breeders & 6. Regulate Rabbit Breeders Licensing & Enforcement continues to investigate complaints of unlicensed breeding facilities and pro-actively monitors online sales of dogs, cats and rabbits. From 2015 to date, staff investigated 9 complaints received from the general public and 11 additional investigations were conducted based on pro-active monitoring. The investigations resulted in 2 verbal and 3 written warnings issued to persons found to have been breeding without a license. 4. Implementation of Pet Store Restrictions The restrictions on the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores took effect on November 13, 2013. No complaints have been received and periodic spot checks of pet sales locations throughout the City have confirmed compliance with the restrictions. The Kingston Humane Society reports a 7 percent increase in 2015 over 2014 in adoptions of dogs and cats, either from their shelter or from pet stores that act as satellite adoption centres for the shelter. Kingston Animal Rescue (KAR) reports their organization took in 29 rabbits, 6 more than were taken in during the same period the previous year, but still less than the 40 rabbits taken in during the 12 month period preceding the November 2013 implementation of the restrictions on the sale of rabbits in pet stores. The number of rabbits transferred in from animal shelters between November 14, 2014 to November 14, 2015 was limited to 5, compared to the 33 rabbits transferred from shelters to KAR during the 12 month period prior to the ban on sales of rabbits in pet stores. 5. At Large Animal Control Officers have been scheduled at times of the day when more off-leash violations are occurring, and are equipped to patrol City parks and trails by bicycle. In 2015, 91 warnings were issued and 30 charges were laid for dogs found at-large. In 2016 to date, 79 warnings have been issued and 36 charges laid for dogs found at-large. 6. Free Ride Home If a dog found at large or stray is licensed, the first ride home is being provided at no charge if the pet owner can be contacted and is able to receive the animal prior to the pet being impounded. Officers have been returning lost pets to their owners, thus avoiding a trip to the pound. Even in instances where a subsequent at-large violation has occurred, Animal Control Officers may still return the dog to its owner rather than deliver it to the pound, but the owner could also be fined. In 2015, 12 free rides home were provided for dogs found at large and to date in 2016, 3 free rides home have been provided. Council Meeting 21 101

Page 6 of 7 7. Spay/Neutering Programs Council approved $50,000 to be allocated for spay/neuter programs annually, including $25,000 for a low-income spay/neuter voucher, administered through the Municipal Fee Assistance Program (MFAP), and $25,000 for a Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Release (TNVR) program administered on behalf of the City by Spay Neuter Kingston Initiative (SNKI). The value of the voucher is $250, meaning that 100 vouchers are available each year. All 100 vouchers allocated for 2015 were issued, and 93 were redeemed. In 2016 to date, all 100 vouchers have been issued, of which 76 have been redeemed. Vouchers have a 3 month expiry period, which allows for any unused vouchers to be reissued within the calendar year. $25,000 of the funding for spay/neuter programs is directed annually towards reducing the feral cat population in Kingston. A feral cat is a cat that is not owned and is not sufficiently socialized to humans to be adopted (unlike stray cats which may have been owned at one point). Spay Neuter Kingston Initiative s Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Release/Return (TNVR) program targets identified cat colonies with the goal of stabilizing each colony, ultimately resulting in the natural dying out of the colony. In 2015, Spay Neuter Kingston Initiative (SNKI) utilized $18,271 of the $25,000 allocated funding to successfully trap, neuter, vaccinate and release/return 109 feral cats, at an average cost of $167.62 per cat. This contributed to the stabilization of 40 colonies, including 10 large (with more than 10 cats) and 30 small (with less than 10 cats). In 2016, to the end of June, $7,759 of the $25,000 has been spent to successfully trap, neuter, vaccinate and release/return 61 feral cats, contributing to the stabilization of 7 colonies, including 2 large and 5 small. Staff are recommending that authority be delegated to change the funding distribution within the approved budget between the voucher program and the Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Release/Return program, as required, based on need and demand. 8. Service Enhancements and Resource Requirements The City established a contract with DocuPet for the provision of an online pet license registration service. The service was introduced in 2016 and therefore, there is no specific data to report in 2015. In 2016, DocuPet introduced the online licensing which includes a rewards program and an interactive online forum for lost and found pets. More information and data on the first year of implementation will be provided in the next progress update report to Council. 9. Education and Communications Licensing & Enforcement staff actively promote the RPOP with customers at the Licensing Office service counter and in the community. DocuPet, in partnership with the City, will be initiating a City door-to-door campaign to increase awareness in regards to the City s RPOP and the pet licensing requirements. This campaign will start this summer. In an effort to communicate with children about the program, a presentation of the RPOP was provided to grade 4 & 5 students participating in the Beyond Classrooms program. A City Licensing Agent attended the Kingston Humane Society Shelter Day event to provide information to the general public on the RPOP, pet licensing, off-leash dog parks and the animal by-law. Council Meeting 21 102

Page 7 of 7 City staff will continue to work with partners to identify additional promotion and education opportunities. High Volume and Low Cost Spay/Neuter Community Based Clinic Spay/Neuter Kingston Initiative (SNKI) has been working on a feasibility study for a community based high volume and low cost spay/neuter clinic. The possibility of establishing such a clinic is being explored as the cost to spay and neuter dogs and cats is still much higher than the $250 vouchers provided by the City and therefore, a number of low income individuals cannot afford to get their pets spayed or neutered. The feasibility study will look at models in other communities, cost of service, financial sustainability and partners required to support such an initiative. It is anticipated that the feasibility study will be completed in 2016 and that staff will work with SNKI to report results and recommendations. Staff are recommending that Council direct staff to continue to explore potential partnerships to enable the establishment of a community based high volume and low cost spay/neuter clinic. Existing Policy/By-Law: By-Law Number 2004-144 A By-Law to Regulate Animals Notice Provisions: Not applicable Accessibility Considerations: Not applicable Financial Considerations: The funds for these initiatives have been allocated and approved in the existing operating budget. Contacts: Paige Agnew, Director, Planning, Building & Licensing Services 613-546-4291 extension 3252 Lacricia Turner, Manager, Licensing & Enforcement 613-546-4291 extension 3222 Other City of Kingston Staff Consulted: Greg McLean, Policy and Program Coordinator Exhibits Attached: Not applicable Council Meeting 21 103