The NESPCA will take over pound services for the city in the new year. (file photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

Melfort pound services

Melfort’s pound services switching to NESPCA in new year

Dec 10, 2019 | 4:00 PM

Animal pound services in the city of Melfort will be changing in 2020.

Council has approved the transfer of pound services from Mohawk Animal Clinic to the North East SPCA effective Jan. 1.

“We talked to [Mohawk Animal Clinic] when [the] SPCA became a viable alternative and they agreed that the SPCA could handle that new job,” said Mayor Rick Lang.

The new SPCA, known as the Harry & Eve Vickar Shelter, was opened in October. As a result of the change in services, the city said there will be a slight difference in the way pound fees are paid.

“Citizens had to come to the City of Melfort, pay their fine, then get a slip and take it to the pound to get their animal back out,” said Lang. “Now, they will go directly to the pound and pay their fine and get their animal.”

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The annual service fee is $11,984 – an amount Lang said is almost identical to what the city previously paid for animal control.

“Instead of paying it to the Mohawk Animal Clinic and the parameters that existed, now we’re making just an annual payment, period,” said Lang. “Before, it was in relation to the amount of impounded animals but it equates to about the same dollar amount.”

The recommendation to negotiate an agreement with the SPCA for pound services was made at the Community Services Committee meeting in November.

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cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974