The cost of adopting a pet might double in an effort to combat an excessive amount of stray, abandoned and unwanted animals in the city.
City council will vote Monday on a resolution that would double the cost of adopting an animal at the city’s shelter so that every adopted dog and cat would be spayed or neutered.
City licensing and enforcement manager Ron Bourret said based on his research in other cities across the province, ensuring an animal is spayed or neutered is one of the best ways to keep pet owners responsible.
"If we are going to start addressing responsible pet ownership in the city perhaps animal services should be the first to stand up and try to do it," Bourret said.
The city euthanized 1,200 animals last year Bourret said. And nuisance dogs and cats are a large problem in Thunder Bay he added. Currently the city has one of the lowest licensed pet populations in the province.
"We basically come last amongst all the other cities," he said.
The price of adopting a dog at Animal services would double to $220 if the resolution is passed. A cat would cost $200. If the cat or dog is too young to be spayed or neutered, the cost would be $330 for a puppy and $300 for a kitten with a $100 rebate offered once the pet owner had their pet sterilized.
While the increase may discourage some people from adopting a pet, Bourret said responsible people who realize the time and cost of raising an animal would still adopt a pet.
"The people who really really want a dog or cat will step up to the plate," said Bourret.
