The Royal City Humane Society is hopeful that the city will build a new state-of-the-art animal shelter.
Jeanette Blanchard, president of the Royal City Humane Society, said she's pleased that the city's five-year plan includes provisions for a new animal shelter. She said the society supports the creation of a new city owned and operated state-of-the-art animal shelter.
According to Blanchard, the Royal City Humane Society has provided shelter and foster homes for thousands of cats and other animals since its formation in 1994. She said the society has relied on space donated by private individuals to shelter cats and on an army of volunteers to do its work.
"It is not a sustainable long-term solution for what is ultimately a municipal responsibility," she said of sheltering animals.
Blanchard said New Westminster needs a permanent, stable solution for temporarily housing homeless animals. That would allow the society to focus on trapping, transportation and sterilization of feral cats and assisting with special needs cats.
The issue of a new animal shelter arose during city council's recent budget discussions. The city's animal shelter is currently located in Queensborough, in a space shared with the city's tow yard.
Gary Holowatiuk, the city's director of finance and information technology, recently told council that work on planning for a new animal shelter will get underway in 2013. Coun. Lorrie Williams said a new shelter is "long overdue," and she's pleased it's included in the city's five-year capital plan.
Coun. Jaimie McEvoy said a new shelter is "badly needed" in the city. He suggested the city visit newer shelters in other communities to see how animal shelter operations have changed.
Blanchard said the society is willing to work with the City of New Westminster on planning for a new shelter.
